S42 A rncrrnAUTED ME^rmG 



the intant of renewing his d<3predations, accoinpardcd by two other advoi> 

 turers whom iie had pureuaded to become the partners of his criminal enter- 

 prise ; but, before proceeding far, lie fell in witb. the same company of Mex- 

 ican traders from wlioni he had stolen the horses. They immediately re- 

 cognized him and tlie animal he rode, and took possession of the latter. 

 Ae'for Old Bob, notwithstanding his protestations of iimocenca and stout 

 resistance, they stripped him of gun, pistol, and ammunition — gave him a 

 severe Jiogging, and agiiin turned him adrift upon the prairie, destitute of 

 everything except the baseness of his own heart ! 



" Well, Bob," said one of his comrades ; " this business appears not ao 

 profitable, after all ; though you, doubtless, have become quite warmed in 

 Its pursuit. For my own part I shall quit it before I begin, and return to 

 the States/' 



" And I, too ;" chimed in tiie other. 



"The fact is," replied Bob, " this country is getting rather too hot forme, 

 and ri] bear you company ! What d'ye say to that ?" 



" Just as you like." responded his two companions ; " that is, provided 

 you wont attempt the grab game on us." 



"Come, boys; now that's too bad ! Oh, you may rest assured I will 

 never repay a Idndness witli ingratitude, neitlier will I abuse the confidence 

 of friends." 



Thus arranged, the tl\ree started on their way. Ctnning upon a camp of 

 hunters, a few miles below Bent's Fort, they conclnded to remain a short 

 time in order to procure a supply of moat for their journey. Here oar slip- 

 pery customer borrowed a horse and rifle of his comrade, pretendedly for a 

 buffalo hunt, and under a most solemn pledge of returning them ; how- 

 ever, on finding himself again armed and mounted, he was not slow to im- 

 prove the oppoitunity of bidding an abrupt farewell to the unsuSpecting 

 dupe, and resumed his course toward the States. 



Hov/ he eventually succeeded through this last shift, I am unable to say ; 

 yet, the brief story of hU adventures thus far is sufficient to prove, that 

 iniquity sometimes, even in this life, receives a severe reward. 



Toward the last of August the Arapahos and Chyennes held a grand 

 convocation, in the vicinity of Fort Lancaster, for the porpose of medicine 

 making ; or, in other words, paying their united devotions to the Great 

 Spirit. The gatiiering might with propriety liave been termed a "Pro^roc*- 

 ed Meeting,^' as it continued for three successive days and nights, exclusive 

 of the time occupied in preliminary arrangements. 



Besides the two tribes above named, a large number of Sioux, CumaD- 

 ches, Blackfeet, and Riccarees, were present, swelling the concourse to 

 nearly a thousand lodges. 



The regular participants in the ceremonies of the occasion had pre- 

 viously prepared tiiem selves by a fast of three days, attended with frequent 

 washings and purifications. A large lodge had been erected in the 

 fomi of an amphitheatre, as described upon a former page, with apoleinita 

 centre pointing to the zenith, near the top of which was affixed tlie head 

 of a buffalo. Here the tljrong assembled, with up-turned eyes, encircling 

 it around in solemn dance, accompanied by a low musical chant, as they 

 MUretsed the " Big Medicine," This strange worship wa» maintained 



