TRAIL OF THE BED-SKINS. 161 



takably the result of hard work and short com- 

 mons, it was considered' desirable to push forward. 

 The country was becoming more park-like. Tim- 

 bered and open land were in about equal proportions, 

 recalling to memory parts of the splendid State of 

 Kansas. This new characteristic was particularly 

 pleasing to me, as it indicated proximity to a large 

 water-course doubtless the long -looked -for Mis- 

 souri. Away to the north-west could be seen 

 occasionally the outline of some high and irregular 

 hills, one of which, from its decapitated appearance 

 at the summit, recalled to mind Mount Fusiama, in 

 Japan. 



Game, both deer and buffalo, being abundant and 

 tame, we had felt tolerably free from the fear of 

 meeting Indians. On traversing a water-course, 

 however* we observed the most convincing proofs 

 that the slightest neglect of caution might embroil 

 us in trouble ; for, on its sandy margin, horse- 

 tracks were in such numbers that we could not 

 doubt a large body of Hed-skins had lately been 

 there. The direction of their trail pointed towards 

 the south-west, but ah 1 our efforts to discover their 

 whereabouts were fruitless. 



When we halted for the night, we resolved to 

 do without a fire, although the weather was cold. 

 After dark, many miles off, we distinguished a red- 

 ness in the heavens in the direction we believed 

 the Indians had gone. This illumination, we felt 

 certain, was caused by their camp-fires. Believing 



M 



