66 Life of a Fossil Hunter 



camp. Across the river were the lodges of two 

 thousand Crow Indians, who were preparing for 

 their annual buffalo hunt in this neutral ground, 

 where Sioux and Crow alike buried the hatchet 

 while they hunted the game that was their principal 

 sustenance. 



Mr. Isaac, with the dread of the Redman still in 

 his heart, insisted that we must protect the camp 

 by standing guard over it turn and turn about, and 

 to pacify him, the guard was mounted. I took the 

 first turn, and Mr. Isaac the second. 



The Professor did me the honor of sharing his 

 tent with me, and we were just dozing off when we 

 heard Mr. Isaac shout " Halt ! " Looking out, we 

 saw an Indian approaching, with his squaw behind 

 him, the moonlight bringing out their forms in bold 

 relief. 



"Halt! Halt!" called Isaac, leveling his Win- 

 chester, but the Indian, followed by his faithful 

 squaw, continued to advance up to the very muzzle 

 of the gun, repeating, " Me good Indian ! Me good 

 Indian ! " 



Cope dressed and went out, and found that the 

 Indian had mistaken us for illicit whisky dealers, 

 and come over to get a supply. The Professor told 

 the man to go to sleep under the wagon, and at day- 

 light to recross and invite half a dozen of the prin- 

 cipal chiefs to breakfast with us. 



