188 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



two mountaineers rode into the glade, and dismounted close to the 

 plum and cherry tliicket,which formed almost a wall before them, 

 and an excellent shelter from the wind. Jumping off their horses, 

 they were in the act of removing the saddles from their backs, 

 when a shrill neigh burst from the thicket not two yards behind 

 them ; a rustling in the bushes followed, and presently a man 

 dressed in buck-skin, and rifle in hand, burst out of the tangled 

 brush, exclaiming in an angry voice — 



" Do'ee hy'ar now ? I was nigh upon gut-shootin some of 'ee 

 — I was now ; thought 'ee was darned R-apahos, I did, and 

 cached right off." 



" Ho, Bill 1 what, old hos I not gone under yet ?" cried both 

 the hunters, " Give us your paw." 



" Do'ee now, if hy'ar ar'nt them boys as was rubbed out on 

 Lodge Pole (creek) a time ago. Do'ee hyar ? if this aint ' some' 

 now, I would'nt say so." 



Leaving old Bill Williams and our two friends to exchange 

 their rough but hearty greetings, we will glance at that old 

 worthy's history since the time when we left him caching in the 

 fire and smoke on the Indian battle-ground in the Rocky Mount- 

 ains, He had escaped fire and smoke, or he would not have been 

 here on Arkansas with his old grizzled Nez-perce steed. On that 

 occasion, the veteran mountaineer had lost his two pack-animals 

 and all his beaver. He was not the man, however, to want a 

 horse or mule as long as an Indian village was near at hand. 

 Skulking, therefore, by day in caiions and deep gorges of the 

 mountains, and traveling by night, he followed closely on the trail 

 of the victorious savages, bided his time, struck his " coup," and 

 recovered a pair of pack-horses, which was all he required. Ever 

 since, he had been trapping alone in all parts of the mountains; 

 had visited the rendezvous but twice for short periods, and then 

 with full packs of beaver ; and Avas now on his way to Bent's 

 .Fort, to dispose of his present loads of peltry, enjoy one good 



