48 A^AERATIVE OF A JOURNEV 



scabbard. I had not time for thought, and was struggling with 

 all my might with the first savage for the recovery of my weapon, 

 when Captain W., and the other inmates of the tent were aroused, 

 and the whole matter was explained, and set at rest in a moment. 

 The Indians were chiefs of the tribe of Pawnee Loups, who had 

 come with their young men to shoot buffalo : they had paid an 

 evening visit to the captain, and as an act of courtesy had been 

 invited to sleep in the tent. I had not known of their arrival, 

 nor did I even suspect that Indians were in our neighborhood, so 

 could not control the alarm which their sudden appearance 

 occasioned me. 



As I laid myself down, and drew my blanket around me. 

 Captain • W. touched me lightly with his finger, and pointed 

 significantly to his own person, which I perceived, — by the fire 

 liofht at the mouth of the tent, — to be garnished with his knife 

 and pistols ; I observed also that the muzzle of his rifle laid 

 across his breast, and that the breech was firmly grasped by one 

 of his legs. I took the hint ; tightened my belt, drew my gun 

 closely to my side, and composed myself to sleep. But the 

 excitement of the scene through which I had just passed, 

 effectually banished repose. I frequently directed my eyes 

 towards the dark corner, and in the midst of the shapeless mass 

 which occupied it, I could occasionally see the glittering orbs of 

 our guest shining amidst the surrounding obscurity. At length 

 fatigue conquered watchfulness, and I sank to sleep, dreaming of 

 Indians, guns, daggers, and buffalo. 



Upon rising the next morning, all had lefl the tent : the men 

 were busied in cooking their morning meal ; kettles were hanging 

 upon the rude cranes, great ribs of meat were roasting before 

 the fires, and loading the air with fragrance, and my dreams and 

 midnight I'everies, and apprehensions of evil, fled upon the wings 

 of the bright morning, and nought remained but a feeling of 

 surprise that the untoward events of the night should have 

 disturbed my equanimity. 



