Rocky Mountains. 479 



and the scalps of the first weak or unguarded party they may 

 meet. 



At a late hour in the night, after our camp had become 

 quiet, we were suddenly awakened by a loud rushing noise, 

 which in a moment seemed to reach the centre of our en- 

 campment; immediately a piercing exclamation of terror was 

 heard, from one of our interpreters, which from the peculi- 

 arity of its tone, seemed to have escaped from a throat un- 

 der the grasp of death. It became immediately apparent that 

 the cause of the alarm proceeded from our horses, all of 

 whom had broken loose from their stakes, near the Indian 

 fort, and had run in a state of fright through our camp, with 

 the apparent desire to gain our protection against something 

 in their rear. We proceeded in a cautious manner to recon- 

 noitre the environs of the camp, stooping low, in order that 

 the eye might be directed along the level of the top of the 

 grass, which was here of a very luxuriant growth, in order 

 to detect in the gloom, any inimical object that might rise 

 above it; having thus convinced ourselves that nothing dan- 

 gerous to our safety remained very near to us, the horses 

 were again secured, and we betook ouserlves to our beds, 

 with the reflection, that they had probably been alarmed by 

 the too near approach of bisons. 



We had scarce fallen asleep, when we were aroused the 

 second time, by the discharge of a gun close to our tent. 

 This was the signal which we had all understood was to be 

 given by the sentinel, in case of the hostile approach of In- 

 dians to the camp. We therefore bestirred ourselves, being 

 well assured we had other business at hand, than the secur- 

 ing of horses. Several of the party went to reconnoitre the 

 old fort above mentioned, but nothing was discovered and 

 they returned. 



After all were assembled at camp, Major Long informed 

 us the alarm had been given by his order, and was intended 

 to test the coolness and self-possession of the party, and to 



