288 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



may imagine, and Otami offered her cheeks for a 

 chaste salute by way of ratification. 



A few hours after that we were on horseback on 

 our way back, taking the road by Independence. 

 Fifty Sioux warriors were to escort us to Fort 

 Leavenworth, the first civilized habitation on the 

 frontiers of the desert. During our first day's 

 journey it rained from morning to night, and next 

 day it was no better ; but on the third the weather 

 cleared up. I shall always remember that day, 

 on account of a remarkable and memorable ad- 

 venture. 



We had just entered a gorge which was overgrown 

 with bushes, when Duquesne, whose horse was 

 trotting alongside of mine, suddenly cried a halt. 

 He slipped off his horse and laid his ear upon the 

 ground to listen. After a second or two, he asked 

 us to follow his example and, obedient to his re- 

 quest, we all did as he desired, but were compelled 

 to admit that our hearing was rather defective. 

 Three times we repeated the experiment, and on 

 the fourth only could we distinguish a feeble and 

 insignificant noise, which grew more and more 

 distinct at every moment. 



To shelter our horses behind a clump of trees, 

 alongside of our three waggons, occupied a very 

 short time. We then glided through a thicket, 

 and came out into a clearing on the other side ; 

 every one waiting for the chance of a shot. 



