Adventures in the Far West, by W. H. G. Kingston. 

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This is rather a short book but it is prolifically illustrated with noless than 29 pictures, most of very great interest, but in none of whichcan one make out the artist's signature. The picture of the visit ofthe witch doctor to the sick man is very memorable, and the poor man wasprobably frightened to death, rather than revived. 

A group of tough young Brits make their way to the west of NorthAmerica, where there are numerous hazards, in the form of grizzly bears, wolves, and a few tribes of Indians who definitely did not want themthere. For much of the book they are with a tribe that is veryfriendly, and thus we are able to learn much of the ways of thesepeople. But towards the end of the book our heroes take part inrescuing a wagon-train of emigrants that had been attacked by a hostiletribe, and a beautiful young lady seized and ridden away with. 

Mr Kingston's style is as excellent as ever, and we do recommend thatyou read this book, or make an audiobook from it. 

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ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST, BY W. H. G. KINGSTON. 

CHAPTER ONE. 

"I say, didn't you hear a cry?" exclaimed Charley Fielding, starting upfrom the camp fire at which we were seated discussing our evening mealof venison, the result of our day's hunting. He leaned forward in theattitude of listening. "I'm sure I heard it! There it is again, butwhether uttered by Redskin or four-footed beast is more than I can say. "

We all listened, but our ears were not as sharp as Charley's, for wecould hear nothing. 

"Sit down, Charley, my boy, and finish your supper. It was probablyfancy, or maybe the hoot of an owl to its mate, " said our jovialcompanion, Dick Buntin, who never allowed any matter to disturb him, ifhe could help it, while engaged in stowing away his food. 

Dick had been a lieutenant in the navy, and had knocked about the worldin all climes, and seen no small amount of service. He had latelyjoined our party with Charley Fielding, a fatherless lad whom he hadtaken under his wing. 

We, that is Jack Story and myself, Tom Rushforth, had come out fromEngland together to the far west, to enjoy a few months' buffalohunting, deer stalking, grizzly and panther shooting, and beavertrapping, not to speak of the chances of an occasional brush with theRedskins, parties of whom were said to be on the war-path across theregions it was our intention to traverse, though none of us wereinclined to be turned aside by the warnings we had received to thateffect from our friends down east. 

We had been pushing on further and further west, gaining experience, andbecoming inured to the fatigues and dangers of a hunter's life. Havingtraversed Missouri and Kansas, though we had hitherto met with noadventures worthy of note, we had that evening pitched our camp in theneighbourhood of Smoky-hill fork, the waters of which, falling into theArkansas, were destined ultimately to reach the far-off Mississippi. 

We had furnished ourselves with a stout horse apiece, and four mules tocarry our stores, consisting of salt pork, beans, biscuit, coffee, and afew other necessaries, besides our spare guns, ammunition, and the meatand skins of the animals we might kill. 

Having, a little before sunset, fixed on a spot for our camp, with astream on one side, and on the other a wood, which would afford us fueland shelter from the keen night air which blew off the distantmountains, we had unsaddled and unpacked our horses and mules, the packsbeing placed so as to form a circular enclosure about eight paces indiameter. 

Our first care had been to water and hobble our animals, and then toturn them loose to graze, when we considered ourselves at liberty toattend to our own wants. Having collected a quantity of dry sticks, wehad lighted our fire in the centre of the circle, filled ourwater-kettle, and put on our meat to cook. Our next care had been toarrange our sleeping places. For this purpose we cut a quantity ofwillows which grew on the banks of the stream hard by, and we eachformed a semi-circular hut, by sticking the extremities of the osiertwigs into the ground, and bending them over so as to form a successionof arches. These were further secured by weaving a few flexible twigsalong the top and sides of the framework, thus giving it sufficientstability to support the saddle-cloths and skins with which we coveredthem. By placing our buffalo-robes within, we had thus a comfortableand warm bed-place apiece, and were better protected from the fierceststorm raging without than we should have been inside a tent or ordinaryhut. 

Though this was our usual custom when materials were to be found, whennot, we were content to wrap ourselves in our buffalo-robes, with oursaddles for pillows. 

All arrangements having been made, we sat down with keen appetites, ourbacks to our respective huts, to discuss the viands which had beencooking during the operations I have described. Dick Buntin, whogenerally performed the office of cook, had concocted a pot of coffee, having first roasted the berries in the lid of our saucepan, and then, wrapping them in a piece of deer-skin, had pounded them on a log withthe head of a hatchet. Dick was about to serve out the smoking-hotcoffee when Charley's exclamation made him stop to reply while he heldthe pot in his hand. 

"I am sure I did hear a strange sound, and it was no owl's hoot, of thatI am convinced, " said Charley, still standing up, and peering out overthe dark prairie. "Just keep silence for a few minutes, and you'll hearit too before long. "

I listened, and almost directly afterwards a low mournful wail, waftedon the breeze, struck my ear. Dick and Story also acknowledged thatthey heard the sound. 

"I knew I was not mistaken, " said Charley; "what can it be?"

"An owl, or some other night-bird, as I at first thought, " said Buntin. "Come, hand me your mugs, or I shall have to boil up the coffee again. "

Charley resumed his seat, and we continued the pleasant occupation inwhich we were engaged. Supper over, we crept into our sleeping-places, leaving our fire blazing, not having considered it necessary as yet tokeep watch at night. 

We were generally, directly after we had stretched ourselves on theground, fast asleep, for we rose at break of day, and sometimes evenbefore it; but ere I had closed my eyes, I again heard, apparentlycoming from far off, the same sound which had attracted Charley'snotice. It appeared to me more like the howl of a wolf than the cry ofa night-bird, but I was too sleepy to pay any attention to it. 

How long I had been in a state of unconsciousness I could not tell, whenI was aroused by a chorus of howls and yelps, and, starting up, I saw anumber of animals with glaring eyes almost in our very midst. 

"Wolves, wolves!" I cried, calling to my companions at the top of myvoice. 

Before I could draw my rifle out of the hut, where I had placed it by myside, one of the brutes had seized on a large piece of venison, suspended at the end of a stick to keep it off the ground, and haddarted off with it, while the depredators were searching round for otherarticles into which they could fix their fangs. 

Our appearance greatly disconcerted them, as we shouted in chorus, andturning tail they began to decamp as fast as their legs would carrythem. 

"Bring down that fellow with the venison, " I cried out. 

Charley, who had been most on the alert, had his rifle ready, and, firing, brought down the thief. Another of the pack instantly seizedthe meat and made off with it in spite of the shouts we sent after him. The wolves lost three of their number, but the rest got off with thevenison in triumph. It was a lesson to us to keep a watch at night, andmore carefully to secure our venison. We had, however, a portionremaining to serve us for breakfast next morning. 

We took good care not to let the wolves get into our camp again, but weheard the brutes howling around and quarrelling over the carcase of oneof their companions, who had been shot but had not immediately dropped. Having driven off our unwelcome visitors, Charley and I went in searchof our horses, as we were afraid they might have been attacked. Theywere, however, well able to take care of themselves and had made theirway to the border of the stream, where we found them safe. 

In the meantime Buntin and Story dragged the carcases of the wolves wehad killed to a distance from the camp, as their skins were not worthpreserving. We all then met round the camp fire, but we soon found thatto sleep was impossible, for the wolves, having despatched their woundedcompanions, came back to feast on the others we had shot. We might havekilled numbers while so employed, but that would have only detained themlonger in our neighbourhood, and we hoped when they had picked the bonesof their friends that they would go away and leave us in peace. 

We all wished to be off as soon as possible, so while it was still darkwe caught and watered our horses; and, having cast off their hobbles andloaded the pack animals, we were in the saddle by sunrise. We rode onfor several hours, and then encamped for breakfast, allowing our horsesto graze while we went on foot in search of game. We succeeded inkilling a couple of deer and a turkey, so that we were again amplysupplied with food. Our baggage-mules being slow but sure-going animalswe were unable to make more than twenty miles a day, though at a pinchwe could accomplish thirty. We had again mounted and were movingforward. The country was covered with tall grass, five and sometimeseight feet in height, over which we could scarcely look even when onhorseback. We had ridden about a couple of miles from our lastcamping-place, when Story, the tallest of our party, exclaimed--

"I see some objects moving to the northward. They look to me likemounted men, and are apparently coming in this direction. "

He unslung his glass, while we all pulled up and took a look in thedirection he pointed. 

"Yes, I thought so, " he exclaimed; "they are Indians, though, as thereare not many of them, they are not likely to attack us; but we must beon our guard, notwithstanding. "

We consulted what was best to be done. 

"Ride steadily in the direction we are going, " said Dick; "and, byshowing that we are not afraid of them, when they see our rifles theywill probably sheer off, whatever may be their present intentions. Butkeep together, my lads, and let nothing tempt us to separate. "

We followed Dick's advice; indeed, although we had no ostensible leader, he always took the post on an emergency. 

The strangers approached, moving considerably faster than we were doing. As they drew nearer, Story, who took another view of them through hisglass, announced that there were two white men of the party, thusdispelling all fears we might have entertained of an encounter. Wetherefore pulled up to wait their arrival. As they got still nearer tous, one of the white men rode forward. He was followed by several dogs. Suddenly Dick, who had been regarding him attentively, exclaimed--

"What, Harry Armitage, my dear fellow! What has brought you here?"

"A question much easier asked than answered, and I'll put the same toyou, " said the stranger, shaking hands. 

"I came out for a change of scene, and to get further from the oceanthan I have ever before been in my life; and now let me introduce you tomy friends, " said Dick. The usual forms were gone through. MrArmitage then introduced his companion as Pierre Buffet, one of the besthunters and trappers throughout the continent. The Indians, he said, had been engaged by Pierre and himself to act as guides and scouts, andto take care of the horses and baggage-mules. As our objects were thesame, before we had ridden very far we agreed to continue together, aswe should thus, in passing through territories infested by hostileIndians, be the better able to defend ourselves. 

We had reason, before long, to be thankful that our party had thus beenstrengthened. We encamped as usual; and, not forgetting the lesson wehad lately received, we set a watch so that we should not be surprised, either by wolves or Redskins. Though the former were heard howling inthe distance, we were not otherwise disturbed by them, and at dawn wewere once more in our saddles traversing the wide extending prairie, ournew associates and we exchanging accounts of the various adventures wehad met with. Armitage was not very talkative, but Dick managed to drawhim out more than could any of the rest of the party. Buffet, in hisbroken English, talked away sufficiently to make ample amends for hisemployer's taciturnity. Our midday halt was over, and we did not againintend to encamp until nightfall, at a spot described by Buffet on thebanks of a stream which ran round a rocky height on the borders of theprairie. It was, however, some distance off, and we did not expect toreach it until later in the day than usual. 

We were riding on, when I saw one of the Indians standing up in hisstirrups and looking to the northeast. Presently he called to Buntinand pointed in the same direction. The words uttered were such as tocause us no little anxiety. The prairie was on fire. The sharp eyes ofthe Indian had distinguished the wreaths of smoke which rose above thetall grass, and which I should have taken for a thick mist or cloudgathering in the horizon. The wind blew from the same quarter. 

"Messieurs, we must put our horses to their best speed, " exclaimedPierre. "If the wind gets up, that fire will come on faster than we cango, and we shall all be burnt into cinders if once overtaken. "

"How far off is it?" asked Dick. "Maybe eight or ten miles, but that isas nothing. It will travel five or six miles in the hour, even withthis wind blowing--and twice as fast before a gale. On, on, messieurs, there is no time to talk about the matter, for between us and where theflames now rage, there is nothing to stop their progress. "

We needed no further urging, but driving on the mules with shouts andblows--as we had no wish to abandon them if it could be avoided--wedashed on. Every now and then I looked back to observe the progress ofthe conflagration. Dark wreaths were rising higher and higher in thesky, and below them forked flames ever and anon darted up as the firecaught the more combustible vegetation. Borne by the wind, lightpowdery ashes fell around us, while we were sensible of a strong odourof burning, which made it appear as if the enemy was already close atour heels. The grass on every side was too tall and dry to enable us--as is frequently done under such circumstances, by setting fire to theherbage--to clear a space in which we could remain while theconflagration passed by. 

Our only chance of escaping was by pushing forward. On neither side didPierre or the Indians know of any spot where we could take refuge nearerthan the one ahead. Every instant the smoke grew thicker, and we couldhear the roaring, crackling, rushing sound of the flames, though still, happily for us, far away. Prairie-hens, owls, and other birds wouldflit by, presently followed by numerous deer and buffalo; while wholepacks of wolves rushed on regardless of each other and of us, promptedby instinct to make their escape from the apprehended danger. Now abear who had been foraging on the plain ran by, eager to seek hismountain home; and I caught sight of two or more panthers springing overthe ground at a speed which would secure their safety. Here and theresmall game scampered along, frequently meeting the death they weretrying to avoid, from the feet of the larger animals; snakes wentwriggling among the grass, owls hooted, wolves yelped, and other animalsadded their cries to the terror-prompted chorus. Our chance of escapingwith our baggage-mules seemed small indeed. The hot air struck ourcheeks, as we turned round every now and then to see how near the firehad approached. The dogs kept up bravely at the feet of their masters'horse. 

"If we are to save our own skins, we must abandon our mules, " cried outDick Buntin in a voice such as that with which he was wont to hail themain-top. 

"No help for it, I fear, " answered Armitage; "what do you say, Pierre?"

"Let the beasts go. _Sauve qui peut_!" answered the Canadian. 

There was no time to stop and unload the poor brutes. To have done sowould have afforded them a better chance of preserving their lives, though we must still lose our luggage. 

The word was given, the halters by which we had been dragging theanimals on were cast off; and, putting spurs into the flanks of oursteeds, we galloped forward. Our horses seemed to know their danger aswell as we did. I was just thinking of the serious consequences of afall, when down came Dick, who was leading just ahead of me with Charleyby his side. His horse had put its foot into a prairie-dog's hole. 

"Are you hurt?" I cried out. 

"No, no; go on; don't wait for me, " he answered. But neither Charleynor I was inclined to do that. 

Dick was soon on his feet again, while we assisted him, in spite of whathe had said, to get up his horse. The animal's leg did not appear to bestrained, and Dick quickly again climbed into the saddle. 

"Thank you, my dear boys, " he exclaimed, "it must not happen again; I ama heavy weight for my brute, and, if he comes down, you must go on andlet me shift for myself. "

We made no reply, for neither Charley nor I was inclined to desert ourbrave friend. The rest of the party had dashed by, scarcely observingwhat had taken place, the Indians taking the lead. It was impossible tocalculate how many miles we had gone. Night was coming on, making theglare to the eastward appear brighter and more terrific. The mules werestill instinctively following us, but we were distancing them fast, though we could distinguish their shrieks of terror amid the generaluproar. 

The hill for which we were making rose up before us, covered, as itappeared, by shrubs and grasses. It seemed doubtful whether it wouldafford us the safety we sought. We could scarcely hope that our horseswould carry us beyond it, for already they were giving signs of becomingexhausted. We might be preserved by taking up a position in the centreof the stream, should it be sufficiently shallow to enable us to standin it; but that was on the other side of the hill, and the fire mightsurround us before we could gain its banks. We could barely see thedark outline of the hill ahead, the darkness being increased by thecontrast of the lurid flames raging behind us. We dashed across themore open space, where the grass was for some reason of less height thanin her parts. Here many of the animals which had passed us, paralysedby fear, had halted as if expecting that they would be safe from theflames. Deer and wolves, bison, and even a huge bear--not a grizzly, however--and many smaller creatures were lying down or running round andround. 

I thought Pierre would advise our stopping here, but he shouted, "On, on! This is no place for us; de beasts soon get up and run away too!"

We accordingly dashed forward, but every moment the heat and smell ofthe fire was increasing. The smoke, which blew around us in thickwreaths driven by the wind, was almost overpowering. This made theconflagration appear even nearer than it really was. At length, Pierreshouted out:

"Dis way, messieurs, dis way!" and I found that we had reached the footof a rocky hill which rose abruptly out of the plain. He led us roundits base until we arrived at a part up which we could manage to drag ourhorses. Still it seemed very doubtful if we should be safe, for grasscovered the lower parts, and, as far as I could judge, shrubs and treesthe upper: still there was nothing else to be done. Throwing ourselvesfrom our horses, we continued to drag them up the height, Pierre'sshouts guiding us. I was the last but one, Dick insisting on taking thepost of danger in the rear and sending Charley and me before him. Thehorses were as eager to get up as we were, their instinct showing themthat safety was to be found near human beings. Our only fear was thatthe other animals would follow, and that we should have more companionsthan we desired. The top was soon gained, when we lost no time insetting to work to clear a space in which we could remain, by cuttingdown the grass immediately surrounding us, and then firing the rest onthe side of the hill towards which the conflagration was approaching. We next beat down the flames we had kindled, with our blankets--a hotoccupation during which we were nearly smothered by the smoke rushing inour faces. The fire burnt but slowly against the wind, which was so faran advantage. 

"We are safe now, messieurs!" exclaimed Pierre at last; and we all, inone sense, began to breathe more freely, although the feeling ofsuffocation from the smoke was trying in the extreme. 

We could now watch, more calmly than before, the progress of the fire asit rushed across the country, stretching far on either side of us, andlighting up the hills to the north and south, and the groves which grewnear them. We often speak of the scarlet line of the British troopsadvancing on the foe, and such in appearance was the fire; for we couldsee it from the heights where we stood, forming a line of a width whichit seemed possible to leap over, or at all events to dash throughwithout injury. Now it divided, as it passed some rocky spot or marshyground. Now it again united, and the flames were seen licking up thegrass which they had previously spared. 

Our poor baggage-animals caused us much anxiety. Had they escaped orfallen victims to the flames with our property, and the most valuableportion of it--the ammunition? Charley declared that he heard someominous reports, and the Indians nodded as they listened to what hesaid, and made signs to signify that the baggage had been blown up. Forsome minutes we were surrounded by a sea of flame, and had to employourselves actively in rushing here and there and extinguishing theportions which advanced close upon us, our horses in the meantimestanding perfectly still and trembling in every limb, fully alive totheir dangerous position. At length, after a few anxious hours, thefire began to die out; but here we were on the top of a rock, withoutfood or water, and with only so much powder and shot as each man carriedin his pouch. Still, we had saved our lives and our horses, and hadreason to be thankful. The spot was a bleak one to camp in, but we hadno choice. To protect ourselves from the wind, we built up a hedge ofbrushwood, and lighted a fire. Food we could not hope to obtain untilthe morning, but Pierre and one of the Indians volunteered to go down tothe river, and to bring some water in a leathern bottle which theCanadian carried at his saddle-bow. He had also saved a tin cup, butthe whole of our camp equipage had shared the fate of the mules, whatever that might be. The sky was overcast, and, as we looked outfrom our height over the prairie, one vast mass of blackness alone couldbe seen. 

After quenching the thirst produced by the smoke and heat with the waterbrought by Pierre and his companion, we lay down to sleep. 

At daylight we were on foot. The first thing to be done was toascertain the fate of the mules, and the next to obtain some game tosatisfy the cravings of hunger. Pierre and the Indians descended intothe plain for both purposes. Charley and I started off in onedirection, and Armitage and Story in another, with our guns, along therocky heights which extended away to the northward, while Dickvolunteered to look after the horses and keep our fire burning. 

We went on for some distance without falling in with any large game, andwe were unwilling to expend our powder on small birds. Charley at lastproposed that we should descend into the plain in the hopes of findingsome animals killed by the fire. 

"Very little chance of that, " I remarked, "for by this time the wolveshave eaten them up. We are more likely, if we keep on, to fall in withdeer on the opposite side, where the fire has not reached. "

We accordingly crossed the ridge, and were making our way to thewestward, when we heard Armitage's dog giving tongue in the distance. 

"They have found deer, at all events, and perhaps we may be in time topick off one or two of the herd, " I exclaimed. 

We scrambled along over the rocks, until we reached the brink of a lowprecipice, looking over which we caught sight of a magnificent buck witha single dog at his heels. Just then the stag stopped, and, wheelingsuddenly round, faced its pursuer. Near was a small pool which servedto protect the stag from the attack of the hound in the rear. Itappeared to us that it would have gone hard with the dog, for at anymoment the antlers of the stag might have pinned it to the ground. Weconcluded, from not hearing the other dogs, that they had gone off in adifferent direction, leaving this bold fellow--Lion, by name--to followhis chase alone. 

We crept along the rocks, keeping ourselves concealed until we had gotnear enough to take a steady aim at the stag. I agreed to fire first, and, should I miss, Charley was to try his skill. In the meantime thedog kept advancing and retreating, seeking for an opportunity to fly atthe stag's throat; but even then, should he succeed in fixing his fangsin the animal, he would run great risk of being knelt upon. The deerwas as watchful as the dog, and the moment the latter approached, downagain went its formidable antlers. Fearing that the deer might by somechance escape, taking a steady aim I fired. To my delight, over itrolled, when we both sprang down the rocks and ran towards it. 

While I reloaded, Charley, having beaten off the dog, examined the deerto ascertain that it was really dead. We then set to work to cut up ourprize, intending to carry back the best portions to the camp. 

While thus employed, we heard a shout and saw our companions approachingwith their dogs. They had missed the remainder of the herd, and weretoo happy in any way to obtain the deer to be jealous of our success. 

Laden with the meat, the whole of which we carried with us, we returnedto the camp, where we found Dick ready with spits for roasting it. In ashort time Pierre and the Indians returned with the report that they hadfound the mules dead, and already almost devoured by the coyotes, whiletheir cargoes had been blown up, as we feared would be the case, withthe powder they contained. They brought the spare, guns--the stocks ofwhich, however, were sadly damaged by the fire. Our camp equipage, which was very welcome, was uninjured, together with a few knives andother articles of iron. 

So serious was our loss, that it became absolutely necessary to returnto the nearest settlement to obtain fresh pack-animals and a supply ofpowder. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

By the loss of our baggage, we were reduced to hard fare. We had nocoffee, no corn meal, no salt or pepper; but our greatest want waspowder. Should the ammunition in our pouches hold out, we hoped toobtain food enough to keep us from starving till we could reach thenearest settlement of Tillydrone. Before commencing our return journey, however, it would be necessary, we agreed, to obtain a supply of meat, as we should find but little game in the region we had to cross. Wemust push on through it, therefore, as fast as our horses could carryus; but after their hard gallop on the previous day, it would benecessary to give them several hours rest, and it was settled that weshould remain encamped where we were until the following morning. Thelocality had many advantages: it was high and dry, while, commanding asit did an extensive view over the prairie, we could see any hostileIndians approaching, and could defend ourselves should they venture toattack us. 

As soon as breakfast was over, and we had rested from the fatigues ofthe morning, we again set out on foot with our guns. Charley and I, asbefore, kept together. The rest divided into two parties, each hopingto add a good supply of meat to the common stock. We had entered intoan agreement not to fire a shot, unless sure of our aim, as everycharge, to us, was worth its weight in gold. A spot had been fixed on, where we were to meet, about a couple of miles from the camp, in thecentre of the ridge. Charley and I had gone on for an hour or more, buthad met with no game, when what was our delight to see a herd of a dozenlarge deer feeding in a glade below us; and, although too far off torisk a shot, we hoped that by making a wide circuit we should be able tocreep up to them on the lee side. 

Taking the proposed direction, we observed a large clump of rose-bushes, which grew in great profusion in that region. Near them also were twoor three trees, behind which we expected to be able to conceal ourselveswhile we took aim at the deer. Keeping as much under cover as possible, we reached the rose-bushes, when we began to creep along on hands andknees, trailing our guns after us. To our delight we found that thedeer were still feeding quietly, unsuspicious of danger. I managed toreach one of the trees, Charley another. The two nearest animals were astag and a doe. I agreed to shoot the former, Charley the latter. 

He waited until I gave the signal, when our guns went off at the sameinstant. As the smoke cleared away, we saw that both our shot had takeneffect. It had been settled that, in case the animals should attempt toget up, we were to rush out and despatch them with our hunting-knives. I ran towards the stag, which made an effort to escape, but rolled overand died just as I reached it. Turning round to ascertain how it faredwith Charley, I saw the doe rise to her feet, though bleeding from awound in the neck. I instantly reloaded to be ready to fire, knowingthat under such circumstances even a doe might prove a dangerousantagonist. It was fortunate that I did so, for the animal, throwingherself upon her haunches, began to strike out fiercely with herfore-feet, a blow from which would have fractured my friend's skull. Seeing his hat fall to the ground, I was afraid that he had been struck. Holding his rifle, which he had unfortunately forgotten to reload, before him in the fashion of a single-stick, he attempted to defendhimself; but one of the animal's hoofs, striking his shoulder, broughthim to the ground, so that he was unable to spring back out of harm'sway. For a moment the deer retreated, but then again came on with herfore-feet in the air, intent on mischief. Now was the moment to fire, as the next Charley might be struck lifeless to the ground. I pulledthe trigger, aiming at the head of the doe; for, had I attempted toshoot her in the breast, I might have hit my companion. As the smokecleared away I saw the deer spring into the air and fall lifeless to theground. The bullet had struck her in the very spot I intended. Charleyrose to his feet, and I ran forward, anxious to ascertain if he wasinjured. Providentially, his ramrod alone was broken, and, except abruise on the shoulder which caused him some pain, he had escapedwithout damage. 

We lost no time in skinning and cutting up the deer, which having done, we formed two packages of as much of the meat as we could carry, whilewe suspended the remainder to the bough of a neighbouring tree, toreturn for it before night-fall. Our companions were nearly assuccessful, each party having killed a deer, the whole of which theybrought into camp. We left them all employed in cutting the chiefportion into strips to dry in the sun, so that it could be transportedmore easily than in a fresh state. As we approached the spot where wehad left the venison, a loud yelping which reached our ears told us thatthe coyotes had found it out. The brutes were not worth powder andshot, so getting some thick sticks, we rushed in among them and drovethem off to a distance. They returned, however, as soon as we had gotdown the venison and were employed in packing it up, and we had to makeseveral onslaughts, during which we killed three or four of the wolves, who were instantly devoured by their companions. While they were thusemployed, we had time to pack up our game, but the rapacious creaturesfollowed howling at our heels until we reached the camp. All night longalso they continued their unpleasant chorus. 

In the morning, having breakfasted on fresh venison, we started, eachman carrying a load of the dried meat. Our object was to push on asfast as possible, only halting when necessary to rest our horses, or tokill some buffalo or deer, should any be seen. Pierre especiallyadvised that we should otherwise make no delay, saying that he hadobserved the trails of Indians, who were probably out on the warpath, and that, at all events, it would be necessary to be on our guardagainst them. 

We crossed the burnt prairie, our horses' hoofs stirring up the ashes aswe scampered along. Frequently we came upon the bodies of small animalswhich had failed to escape from the fire. We saw also numbers ofsnakes, some burnt to death, others only scorched and still managing tomake their way over the ground. We were thankful when, having crossed astream, we got into a more cheerful tract of country. Here Pierreadvised that we should be doubly on our guard, as in all probability theIndians themselves had fired the grass, either to burn us, or to depriveus of our beasts of burden, as they succeeded in doing, that we mightthe more easily fall into their hands, but that such was the case it wasdifficult to say. Perhaps, when they found us strongly posted, they hadconsidered it prudent not to attack us. 

We had started before day-break, and proposed halting for a couple ofhours to breakfast and rest our beasts, when, just as the rich glowwhich ushers in the rising sun had suffused the sky, one of the Indians, addressing Pierre, pointed to the south-west. 

"What is it he says?" I asked. 

"Indians!" answered Pierre, "on foot and on horseback, and no smallnumber of them. We must be prepared for them, messieurs; for, if Imistake not, they are Coomanches, and they are difficult customers todeal with in the open. If we were within a stockade, we should quicklysend them to the right about, though, as they stand in awe of ourrifles, it is a question whether they will attack us as long as we showa bold front. "

"It is of little use to show a bold front in the centre of a wildprairie, with a hundred howling savages galloping about one, " I thoughtto myself. 

However, none of our party were men to flinch. By Pierre's advice werode steadily forward. There was a slight elevation at some distance, with a small lake beyond it. Buntin, who took the lead, proposed thatwe should try to gain it, as it would give us an advantage over ournimble foes, as, while they were ascending its steep sides, we couldshoot them down without difficulty. On we rode therefore as fast as wecould venture to go, for it was important not to blow our horses, lestwe should have to come to an encounter with the Redskins. 

We had got to within a quarter of a mile or so from the height, when wesaw that the Indians had divined our intention, a party of them, whomust have made a wide circuit, having already taken possession of it. 

"Never mind, boys, " said Dick in a cheery voice--"we can fight them ifthey are in a fighting mood just as well on the plains as on the top ofyonder hill. They probably think that all our powder is lost, andexpect to gain an easy victory. "

"It will be wise to dismount, messieurs, " said Pierre. "Each man musttake post behind his horse, and when the savages come on we must waituntil they get near enough to afford us a sure mark. "

"We will follow Pierre's advice, " said Dick, "but we will wait toascertain whether they have hostile intentions or not. Our best plan isto proceed steadily on as if we were not conscious of their presence. "

We continued, therefore, riding forward, so as to pass the hill aboutthe eighth of a mile on our right, keeping a careful watch on theRedskins. Suddenly there was a movement among them, and out dashedseveral horsemen. Sweeping around the hill, they approached us. Welost not a moment, and, placing ourselves as arranged, we stood with ourrifles ready to receive them. On they came, shrieking at the top oftheir voices and uttering their war-cries, until they got almost withinshot. Seeing this we presented our rifles, but, just at the moment thatwe were about to fire, the warriors threw themselves over on theopposite side of their horses, and, sweeping by like a whirlwind, discharged their guns. 

Although it was a fine exhibition of horsemanship, the fellows, evidently afraid of us, had kept too far off for their object, and thebullets fell short. At the same moment Armitage, Story, and Pierrefired. Armitage's bullet struck the horse of the leading brave, whichhowever still galloped on. Story wounded the next warrior, who turningtail rejoined his companions, while the third--who had lifted up hishead to take better aim--got a bullet through it from Pierre's unerringrifle. He fell to the ground, along which he was dragged by his horse, which followed the one immediately before it. 

Seeing what had befallen their leaders, the other Indians, who wereriding furiously towards us, reined in their steeds, consideringdiscretion the better part of valour. 

"We must not trust to the fellows, " cried Dick; "we must hold our grounduntil they move off. "

It was fortunate we did so, for in a short time the whole troop, gainingcourage and hoping to frighten us with war-whoops, came sweeping downupon us. Fortunately but few had fire-arms, and their powder was noneof the best. Their arrows fell short, while their bullets, which struckour saddles, failed to pierce them. I got a slight graze on my cheek, and a piece of lead went through Charley's cap. 

Our rifles in the meantime returned the salute in good earnest. Threeof us only fired at a time, and three Indians were hit--one of whom waskilled outright, though his companions managed to drag off his body. Still the odds were greatly against us. Had we been well supplied withammunition we should have had no fear as to the result of the encounter, but we dared not fire a shot more than was absolutely necessary. 

Notwithstanding the way we had handled them, the Indians did not appearinclined to give up the contest, but, after wheeling out of reach of ourrifles, again halted. 

"They have had enough of it, I should think, " observed Story. 

"I'm not so sure of that, " answered Dick, "our scalps, our horses, andour fire-arms, are too tempting prizes to allow the rascals to let usescape if they fancy that they can get possession of them. See, herethey come again!"

As he spoke the whole troop, giving utterance to a terrific war-whoop, passed ahead of us, and then, wheeling round, dashed forward at fullspeed to attack us on the opposite side. As they got within range, halfour number, as before, fired. Three more of them appeared to be hit, and one, evidently a chief, fell from his saddle. 

The Redskins had had enough of it, and the rest, crawling round thechief, bore him off. Away they went fleet as the wind. I felt verymuch inclined to follow. Dick advised us to remain where we were to seewhat they would do. At length we were satisfied that they had receiveda lesson by which they were likely to profit, and that they would notagain venture to attack us, unless they could take us by surprise. Wenow found the advantage of not having over-exhausted our horses. 

"Mount, and push forward!" cried Dick. "But I say, lads, while thosefellows are watching us we'll move at a steady pace. "

After we had ridden for a couple of miles or so, Dick advised that weshould put our horses to their full speed, so as to place as wide adistance between us and our enemies as possible, before we halted forbreakfast. 

No sooner was the word given than away we went. Pierre proved anexcellent guide, and took us across the most easy country, so that bynoon it was considered that we might halt without fear of interruptionfrom the same band, though it would be necessary to keep a sharp lookout lest another troop of savages might be scouring the country insearch of us. 

We were by this time desperately sharp set, and while our steeds croppedthe grass around, we quickly lighted our fire and put on our venison tocook. Pierre and the Indians did not wait for that operation, but atethe dried venison raw, and I was tempted to chew the end of a strip tostop the gnawings of hunger. 

After a couple of hours' rest, which our horses absolutely required, weagain pushed on, anxious to find a safe camping-place for the night. Pierre led us to a spot which appeared as secure as we could desire, bythe side of a broad stream of sufficient depth to afford us protectionon that side, while a high knoll, with a bluff, would conceal our fireon the one side, and a thick wood on the other, leaving thus only oneside towards the prairie. Thus, at all events, we had all therequirements for camping--wood, water, and grass. 

The night passed quietly, and the following day we did not fall in withany Indians, so that we ventured to camp at an earlier hour, on a spotvery similar to that we had chosen on the previous night. We weregetting somewhat tired of our dry venison, and Armitage proposing to goout in search of a deer, I volunteered to accompany him, hoping to findone coming down to drink at the stream. We accordingly kept along itsbanks, taking with us one of the spare horses, that we might bring homeany game we might shoot; but as I wished to give mine a rest I went onfoot. 

Armitage was some little way in advance, I following close along theborders of the stream, when I heard him fire. Pushing forward I saw himbending over the body of a fine deer. I was making my way through thebushes to assist him, when what was my dismay to catch sight of a hugebear, which Armitage had not perceived, coming along the edge of thestream from the opposite direction. 

I shouted to him, to warn him of his danger. He rose to his feet, holding the rein of his horse; for the animal, conscious of the presenceof the bear, showed a strong inclination to bolt. The bear, which had, apparently, not before perceived Armitage, came cantering slowly on, until within twenty paces of him. I shouted at the top of my voice forthe purpose of distracting the bear's attention; but Bruin, intent onmischief, took no notice. I was too far off to have any hope ofmortally wounding the bear should I fire, and the undergrowth was sothick that I could only slowly make my way through it. Already the bearwas scarcely more than a dozen paces off from Armitage, who with his gunlevelled stood ready to receive his formidable antagonist. The bearraised itself on its hind legs, giving a roaring grunt, and balancingitself, as bears are wont to do, before making its fatal spring. ShouldArmitage miss, it seemed impossible that he could escape with his life. I struggled desperately to make my way through the brushwood to go tohis assistance. 

Again the bear roared, and stretched out its paws, evidently showingthat it was about to spring, when my friend fired. 

Great was my relief when I saw the bear roll over, floundering about fora few seconds in a vain endeavour to rise and renew the combat; but thebullet had been surely aimed, and before I reached the scene of theencounter the animal's struggles were over. 

We walked round and round the monster, surveying its vast proportions, and then set to work to remove its hide and cut off the most delicateportions of the meat. This occupied us some time. I suggested that theskin might be left behind, but, as the bear was of unusual size, Armitage declared his intention of preserving it if he could. At lengthwe succeeded in strapping it on the back of the horse, and set off toreturn to the camp. 

We walked leisurely along, leading the horse, well satisfied with theresult of our short expedition; for bear's flesh, though not equal tovenison, is superior to that of the lean deer we often shot. We foundour friends anxious about us; for two of the Indians who had gone outscouting reported that they had fallen in with a suspicious trail, andthey warned us that we should very likely be again attacked before wecould reach the settlement. 

"Let them come on then!" cried Dick, "we'll treat them as we did theothers. "

I have said but little about the Indians accompanying Armitage. Theywere fine fellows, armed with spears and bows and arrows, as well aswith carbines, while they carried in their belts the usualscalping-knives and tomahawks, so that they were likely to proveformidable opponents to our foes. 

Having set a double watch, one man to look after the horses, and anotherthe camp, we lay down to obtain the rest we so much needed. 

CHAPTER THREE. 

Daybreak found us moving forward and already a couple of miles from ourlast resting-place. We hoped thus to keep ahead of our enemies, who, our Indian allies calculated, had camped some distance to the northward. We thought it probable also, should they have discovered ourwhereabouts, that they might have intended to attack us before westarted in the morning. They would know that we should keep carefulwatch during the night, but they were very likely to fancy that whilebreakfasting we should be off our guard, and that they might then takeus by surprise. If so, they were disappointed. We rode steadily on, weWhites keeping together, while the Indians on their active mustangs, scouted on either side, their keen eyes searching every thicket and bushfor a concealed enemy. 

"Can they be trusted?" asked Dick of Armitage. 

"They will lose the reward I engaged to give them, should they provetreacherous, " was the answer, "and Pierre considers them honest. "

"I cannot help suspecting that they are very sure no enemy is near, bythe way they are showing off, " observed Story. 

"They behaved as well as men could do, when we were last attacked, "remarked Charley, who way always ready to stick up for the Indians, ofwhom he had a great admiration. I agreed with Jack, but at the sametime I did not wish to disparage our gallant-looking allies. 

While we were speaking two of them came up and addressed Pierre in theirown language which he understood thoroughly. 

"They say that they have caught sight of a mounted war-party, who are, they think, trying to steal upon us round yonder wood, and take us bysurprise, " said Pierre. 

"We'll be prepared for them then, my friends!" exclaimed Dick; "butwe'll ride on as we have been going, and not dismount until they showthemselves; we shall then be able to turn the tables on them. You allknow what you have to do; but remember again, our powder is runningshort; don't throw a shot away. "

"Ay, ay, captain, " was the reply from all of us, for we had given Dick atitle he well deserved although the Lords of the Admiralty had not thusfavoured him. 

Our scouts on the left flank now drew in closer to us, they having madeup their minds that we should be attacked on that side. Almost ahead--or, as Dick called it, on our starboard bow--was a clump of trees, backed by rocky ground. It would assist at all events to protect us, onone side. We accordingly directed our course towards it. Anyone seeingus riding along would not have supposed that we were well aware of apowerful body of enemies being close to us, as we might have been seenlaughing and joking, one of the party occasionally breaking out into ajovial song. 

Our behaviour encouraged our allies, and should the enemy have perceivedus, it would have made them suppose that we were quite unconscious oftheir presence. 

We had almost gained the clump of trees I have mentioned, when from theend of the wood about half a mile away, appeared the head of a column ofmounted warriors. The moment they showed themselves, with fierce yellsand shrieks they dashed on towards us. "Forward, my friends, and let ustake up the post I proposed, " cried Dick; and, urging our horses into agallop, we reached the clump just in time to dismount and arrange ourhorses before the Indians got within range of our rifles. We were thusbetter able to defend ourselves than we had been on the previousoccasion. The Coomanches came on bravely enough at first, shrieking andhooting at the top of their voices, but we were prepared to receive themin a way they did not expect. Before they began to wheel and throwthemselves over on the sides of their horses, Armitage, Story and I, whowere considered the best shots of the party, each singled out a man. Wefired, and three warriors dropped to the ground. At the same moment, our brave allies dashed forward, with lances in rest, and charged boldlyat the advancing foe, who were discharging a shower of arrows at us. One of the Coomanches threw himself on the side of his horse and shot anarrow which pierced our friend's shoulder, but he was himself the nextinstant thrust through by his opponent's lance, his horse galloping off, however, with his dead body. This bold manoeuvre gave us time toreload. We were able to fire a volley as the rest of the party camesweeping by. Two more saddles were emptied, and another warrior waswounded. The latter, however, managed to regain his seat so as to wheelround and rejoin his companions. 

Had we been a more numerous party, and armed with swords and lances, wemight have mounted and pursued the enemy; but as we possessed only ourrifles, it was far more prudent to remain on foot, whence we could takea steady aim. 

It was surprising to see the way our persevering assailants came on, andthrew themselves over the sides of their horses. It was not until wehad an opportunity of examining their trappings, that we discovered howthey managed to do so. We found attached to the mane of each horse astrong halter composed of horse-hair, which being passed under theanimal's neck, was firmly plaited into the mane, thus leaving a loophanging under its neck. When about to fire, the warrior drops into thisloop, and he manages to sustain the weight of his body by the upper partof the bent arm. In this way, both his arms are at liberty, either touse his bow or his spear. In his left hand he grasps a dozen arrows, together with his bow, and is not compelled to apply his hand to hisquiver, which hangs with his shield at his back, while his long spearbeing supported by the bend of the elbow he can use it at any moment. 

Our allies, on this occasion, rendered us essential service bydistracting the attention of our active foes, thus preventing them fromshooting with as much accuracy as usual. Their arrows came flying aboutus, many sticking in the trees behind our backs; but happily only two ofour people and one of our horses were slightly wounded, although one ofour Indian allies fell to the ground, and before any of his companionscould rescue him, a Coomanche, who had ridden up, leaning over hishorse, took his scalp and rejoined the main body. 

The steady fire we kept up, prevented the Indians from coming close tous; still they were evidently unwilling to abandon, the attempt, inspite of the numbers they had already lost. As far as we could judge, the party which had before attacked us had been increased by many freshwarriors, eager to distinguish themselves. Could they obtain the whitemen's scalps, they would be able to boast of their achievement to theend of their days. 

We had no intention, could we help it, of giving them this satisfaction. One thing was remarkable--the regular way in which they came on andretreated, like any civilised people engaging in warfare. Our allies, after our first attack, had rejoined us, and waited close at hand todash forward again, should they see a favourable opportunity. At lengththe Coomanches, having swept round out of rifle-shot, disappearedbehind, the wood from which they had emerged. No sooner had they gone, than our allies threw themselves from their horses and dashed forwardtowards the bodies of the slain. In vain Dick shouted to Pierre to tellthem to let the carcases alone. Never did I witness a more horridsight; with their scalp-knives in their hands, they sprang forward, andin an instant had passed the sharp blades round the heads of two ofthem. A third, though badly wounded, both by one of our bullets and anarrow in his side, raised himself up, and fiercely regarding hisadvancing foe, mocked and derided him as an ally of the whites. 

The Indian advanced, and springing on the prostrate man, without waitingto give him the merciful blow, whipped off his scalp, and left him stillbleeding on the ground. On seeing this, Pierre, who seemed ratherashamed of his friends, sent a bullet into the poor wretch's head, andput him out of his misery. 

The knife of one of the others must have been blunt, for finding thatthe scalp did not come off as quickly as he wished, seating himself onthe ground with his feet against the dead man's shoulders, he pulled itaway by main force. So far we had been more successful than we hadexpected; but our enemies might rally, and, hovering in theneighbourhood, keep us constantly in a state of anxiety. We wereunwilling to leave our secure position until we could ascertain whetherthe Indians had retreated. To learn this, it was necessary to get tothe other side of the wood, which hid them from view. For this purpose, one of our allies volunteered to ride forward and ascertain where theywere. The risk, however, was great, for should he be pursued, andovertaken, his death was certain. Still, the advantage to us would beso great, that Armitage consented to his going. Instead of makingdirectly towards the wood, however, he rode first to the east and thensuddenly turning his course northward, galloped along at full speed, until he got a good view of the north side of the wood which was a merebelt of trees, scarcely thick enough to conceal a large body ofhorsemen. 

We watched him anxiously. At any moment his enemies might sally out andattack him. At length we saw him turn his horse's head, when he cameriding leisurely back. Perceiving this we forthwith mounted andcontinued our journey, leaving the bodies of the Indians to be devouredby the prairie wolves, for we had no time, even had we wished it, tobury them. 

We of course kept a bright look out behind us as well as on either side, for as Pierre observed, "It never does to trust those varmints ofRedskins; they come like the wind, and are off again with as many scalpsas they can lift before a man who has shut his eyes for a moment hastime to open them. "

I confess that I heartily hoped we should in future be left alone; for, although I had no objection to an occasional brush with the red men, Ihad no fancy to be constantly harassed by them, and to be compelled toremain in camp without the chance of a shot at a deer or buffalo forfear of losing one's scalp. I thought, however, that we had now donewith them and should the next night be able to sleep in peace. Again wecontinued on until it was nearly dark, when we formed camp in assheltered a position as we could find. 

Of course our trail would show the way we had taken, and, should theIndians be so disposed, they might follow us. The only question waswhether they could or could not take us by surprise. We had, fortunately, enough meat for supper, but we agreed that it would benecessary to hunt the next day at all risks. When, however, we came toexamine our powder horns, we found that we had scarcely more than acouple of charges each. It would be impossible therefore to defendourselves, should we be again attacked, and a difficult task to obtaingame sufficient to last us to the end of the journey. We hadfortunately a good supply of bear's meat, which, as Dick observed, "wenta long way;" but our Indian friends were voracious feeders and it wasnecessary to give them as much as they wanted. Our chief hope now ofobtaining food was that we might come across some buffalo which ourIndians would be able to shoot with their bows and arrows: at allevents, having already escaped so many dangers, we determined to keep upour spirits and not to be cast down by the difficulties in the way. 

As our Indians had been on the watch the previous night, we undertook tokeep guard this night, two at a time. Charley and I were to betogether. 

What the captain called "the middle watch" was over, when we mountedguard, Charley on the horses, I on the camp. Just then the moon, in itslast quarter, rose above the horizon, shedding a pale light over theprairie. We had been on foot a couple of hours and I was hoping that itwould soon be time to rouse up my companions and commence the day'smarch, when Charley came to me. 

"Look there!" he said, "I fancy that I can make out some objects in thedistance, but whether they are prairie wolves or men I am not quitecertain. If they are Indians, the sooner we secure the horses thebetter. If they are wolves they can do us no great harm. We willawaken our friends, at all events!"

I quickly, in a low voice, called up all hands; and each man, withoutstanding on his feet, crept towards his horse. In a few seconds we hadsecured the whole of them. 

"Now!" cried Dick, "mount and away. " No sooner were the words uttered, than we sprang into our saddles. As we did so a loud shout saluted ourears, followed by the whistling of arrows; and, turning round, we sawfifty dark forms scampering after us. Had we possessed ammunition, weshould not have dreamed of taking to flight; but, without the means ofdefending ourselves, it was the only safe thing to be done. The arrowscame fast and thick. 

"Keep together lads, " cried Dick, "never mind those bodkins, we shallsoon distance our pursuers. "

I heard a sharp cry from Charley and turning round I saw an arrowsticking in his side. The captain had already been wounded, but he didnot betray the fact of his being hurt. 

Our horses, seeming to understand our dangerous position, stretched outat their greatest speed. I turned round and could still see the Indianscoming on and discharging their arrows; but we were now beyond theirrange, and, provided our horses kept their feet, we had no fear of beingovertaken. It was very trying to have to run away from foes whom we hadtwice defeated, for we had no doubt that they were the same band ofRedskins we had before encountered and who now hoped, by approaching onfoot, to take us by surprise. Had not Charley's quick sight detectedthem indeed, we should probably have lost our horses and have beenmurdered into the bargain. On we galloped, yet for a long time we couldhear the shrieks and shouts of our distant foes. Their horses were notlikely to be far off, and we knew that they would probably return forthem and again pursue us. We must, therefore, put a considerabledistance between ourselves and them. Fortunately, not having tired oursteeds, we should be able to go on without pulling rein for the wholeday; we must, however, camp to feed them, but not for a moment longerthan would be absolutely necessary for the purpose. I asked Charley howhe felt. 

"Never mind me, " he answered, "the arrow hurts somewhat, but I would nothave our party stop to attend to me. If I feel worse I'll tell you, lest I should drop from my horse. "

The captain said not a word of his wound, nor did anyone else complainof being hurt; though, as daylight increased, I observed blood streamingfrom the leg of one of the Indians, and another with a pierced coatthrough which an arrow had gone. At length our steeds gave signs ofbeing tired, and we ourselves had become very hungry. We agreed, therefore, to pull up near a stream, with a knoll close to it, fromwhich we could obtain, through our spy-glasses, a wide view across theprairie, so that we could see our enemies before they could discover us. To light a fire and cook our bear's flesh while our horses were turnedloose to feed, occupied but little time. We had saved a couple of tinmugs with which we brought water from the stream; but our kettle, andseveral other articles, in the hurry of our flight, had been leftbehind. Our first care was to see to Charley's wound. He heroicallybore the operation of cutting off the head of the arrow, which had to bedone before the shaft of the arrow could be drawn out. We then, with ahandkerchief, bound up the wound. Dick was less seriously hurt, anarrow having, however, torn its way through his shoulder. The Indianmade light of his wound which was very similar to that Charley hadreceived. His companions doctored him, we supplying them with ahandkerchief which they bound round his wounded limb. I was stillresting when Story, who had taken his post on the knoll, spy-glass inhand, shouted out--

"I have just caught sight of the heads of the Redskins, over the grass, so the sooner we are away the better. "

Saying this he hurried down the hill. We, having caught the horses andpacked up the remainder of our meat, mounted and rode on. Both Charleyand Dick declared they did not feel much the worse for their wounds, theblood they had lost probably preventing inflammation. Though theIndians could not see us, they must have discovered our trail; and theywould soon ascertain, by the remains of our fire, that we were not farahead. This might encourage them to pursue us; but our horses beingbetter than theirs, we might still, should no accident happen, keep wellahead of them. 

We galloped on until dark and then we were once more compelled to camp. Only half our party lay down at a time, the remainder keeping by thehorses while they fed, to be ready to bring them in at a moment'snotice. Our pursuers would also have to stop to feed their horses, andas they had not come up to us during the first watch, we hoped that theywould leave us in quiet for the remainder of the night. 

We were not disturbed; and before daybreak, jumping into our saddles, wepushed on. I must pass over the two following days. As yet we had metwith no signs of civilisation, when we saw a wreath of smoke risingabove the trees in the far distance. It might come from abackwoodsman's hut, or it might be simply that of a camp fire. It wasnot likely to rise from the camp of Indians, so Pierre thought, as theydo not generally venture so far east. However, to run no risk offalling among foes, we sent forward one of our scouts, while weproceeded at the pace we had before been going. We felt most anxious toget some shelter, where we could sleep in security and obtain food, forour bear's flesh was well-nigh exhausted, and we had not hitherto fallenin with buffalo; while both our wounded men required more care than wecould give them in the camp, with the chance of having to mount and ridefor our lives at any moment. 

After riding some distance we heard a shot. 

"All's not right, " cried Dick; "we may have either to fight, or run forit. "

In a short time we saw an Indian riding at full speed towards us. 

"What's the matter?" asked Pierre as he came near. 

He pointed to the wood, when presently two white men appeared withrifles in their hands. As soon as they caught sight of us, they shoutedout and made signs of friendship to us, while they grounded their arms. We were soon up to them. 

"Sorry to have shot at your Redskin friend, but we took him for anenemy, that's a fact, " said one of them; "however, as the bit of leadmissed his head, he's none the worse for it. "

Dick assured him we had no wish to complain, and asked whether we couldfind any shelter in the neighbourhood. 

"You are welcome to our hut, friends, " answered the other man, "it's bigenough for all hands except the Indians, and they can put up wigwams forthemselves. Come along, for there's a storm brewing, I guess; andyou'll be better under cover than in the open air. "

We gladly accepted the invitation, and guided by our new acquaintances, we soon found ourselves in a clearing, with a good-sized log-hut and acouple of shanties at the rear of it. The rain had already begun tofall; so speedily taking off the bridles and saddles of our steeds, wehobbled them and turned them loose; we then hurried under cover, ourIndian guides taking possession of one of the shanties. 

Our hosts, Mark and Simon Praeger, told us that they and their brothershad built the log-hut the previous winter. They had already agood-sized field fenced in and under cultivation and had besides a herdof cattle, the intention of the family being to move west in a fewmonths. 

On hearing of the loss of our provisions and stores, they at once set towork to get supper ready; and, as they had killed a deer that morningand had a good supply of flour, coffee and other articles, they soonplaced an abundant meal smoking on the table. We at once discoveredthat they were superior to the general run of backwoodsmen, having afair education, at the same time that they were hardy perseveringfellows, and bold buffalo and deer hunters, who held the Redskins insupreme contempt. Their family, they told us, resided somewhere about ahundred miles away to the eastward. They had pushed thus far into thewilderness to form a home for themselves, both young men intending tomarry shortly and set up house. Their father's farm was close to thevery settlement for which we were bound, and the nearest where we werelikely to get our wants amply supplied. They were sure, they said, thattheir father would be happy to receive us and assist us in obtaining allwe required. We thanked them and gladly accepted their kind offer. 

Supper being over, we lay down in our buffalo robes; and I need scarcelysay that, having no longer the fear of being aroused by finding anIndian's scalping-knife running round my head, I was quickly fastasleep, fully expecting to have a good night's rest. 

My sleep, however, at length became troubled. I dreamed that I heardthe Indian war-whoops, and saw a whole band of savages spring out of thedarkness and rush with uplifted tomahawks towards me while I layhelpless on the ground. Presently the cries increased, and I awoke witha start to hear a terrific growling sound. It was that of a bear, I wasconvinced. I saw that Mark Praeger, having got up and struck a light, had taken down his rifle from the wall and was going towards the door. I jumped up, as did Armitage and Story, and followed him. As he threwopen the door, we saw, not a dozen paces from the hut, a huge bearsquatting on his hindquarters and apparently taking a leisurely surveyof the hut. 

Mark, as soon as he caught sight of his visitor, lifted his rifle andfired, but the cap failed to go off. It would have been a fineopportunity for Bruin to have made a rush upon us; when he might, bydashing into the hut, have taken possession and killed us all one afterthe other, or driven us out. Instead of doing so, alarmed by the shoutswe raised, uttering a low growl, he turned round and broke away throughthe brushwood on one side of the hut. 

"On lads!" cried Mark, "we must get that fellow for the sake of the meatand skin. "

As he spoke he replaced the copper cap and dashed forward in pursuit ofthe intruder. As we had no wish to go bear-hunting unarmed, we hurriedback to obtain our rifles and some powder and bullets from Simon. Bythe time we were supplied, the rest of the party who had been aroused byour shouts, were on foot and preparing to accompany us. On returning tothe door, we could nowhere see Mark; but Simon taking the lead wefollowed him. The moon had got up, so that we managed to see our waywith tolerable clearness, by a path leading down to a stream, withprecipitous banks, rising in some places into cliffs of considerableheight. We had gone some distance when we heard a shot fired. 

"Mark has brought Master Bruin to bay, " cried Simon; "I wish he hadwaited until we had come up. "

I heard the sound of footsteps behind us, and looking round saw that ourIndian allies had followed, as eager as we were to get the bear's meat. Just then we saw Mark bending over the bear which he had shot; but whatwas our horror the next moment to observe another huge monster rush outfrom behind a rock and lifting itself on its haunches make a spring athim, before he could even turn round to defend himself. His deathseemed certain. In attempting to shoot the bear, we should too probablykill him. No one therefore dared to fire. In vain he endeavoured toescape from the claws of the creature who held him in a fast embrace. His brother and Armitage, who were leading, dashed forward, the onedrawing a long knife, the other armed with an axe which he had caught upas we left the hut. I held my gun ready, waiting to fire should I beable to do so without running the risk of shooting one of my friends. 

It was a fearful moment. It seemed scarcely possible, even should wekill the bear, that poor Mark would escape destruction. Simon, springing close to the monster, dealt it a tremendous blow with his axe, hoping to draw its attention on himself; while Armitage, with hisuplifted knife, dashed forward, and as he did so plunged his weaponbehind the bear's shoulder. The monster turned round on feeling thewound, and I thought would have bitten Mark's head. Simon again pliedthe brute with his axe. The huge jaws relaxed, the head sank down, Armitage had driven his knife home to the beast's heart. 

With shouts, indicative of their satisfaction, the Indians now hurriedup and assisted us in dragging off the body from our fallen friend whowas by this time nearly senseless. The bear's claws had torn himfearfully about the breast and shoulders, besides having given him atremendous hug, but had, we hoped, injured no vital part. He wasunable, however, to speak or stand. We at once, therefore, formed alitter with poles speedily cut from the banks of the stream, on which webore him back to the hut, leaving the Indians under the command ofPierre to cut up the bears and bring in their flesh and skins, anoccupation to which they applied themselves with evident delight. 

CHAPTER FOUR. 

On arriving at the hut with our almost inanimate burden, we found thecaptain and Charlie in a state of great anxiety to know what hadhappened; for they had, I should have said, been undressed, and placedin our hosts' beds, their wounds preventing them from putting on theirclothes. The captain insisted on turning out when he saw the sadcondition of Mark; and he moreover undertook to doctor him as well as hewas able. It appeared evident, however, that as soon as possible Markand Charley should be removed to the settlement, where they could obtainsurgical aid. Mark in a short time revived. From the captain's report, we had hopes that, on account of his fine constitution, he would escapeinflammation, which was chiefly, under his circumstances, to be feared. 

The Praegers had a light wagon, into which, soon after breakfast wasover the next morning, we put our three wounded companions, and leavingPierre and the Indians with Simon Praeger, we set off for Tillydrone. We would gladly have had another day's rest, but the impossibility ofobtaining medical assistance for poor Mark and Charley made us willingto undergo the fatigue. 

The country was tolerably level, there being a fine open prairie, acrosswhich we rattled at a good speed, though the unavoidable jolting musthave greatly tried our poor friends within. I was very thankful whenMark, looking out of the wagon, told us that we were approaching hisfather's house. Our cavalcade must have been seen, for in a short timetwo horsemen came galloping up to us: the elder, a fine-looking, middle-aged man, Mark saluted as his father; the other as brother Peter. A few words explained what had happened. Mr Praeger immediatelyinvited us all to his house, while Peter started off as fast as he couldgo to summon the doctor. 

The house to which we were conducted was a picturesque, comfortable-looking building, constructed of wood, with a low pitchedroof, and wide long verandah, up to which a flight of broad steps ledus. We found a matronly-looking dame, with a bevy of young ones, standing in the verandah, evidently wondering at the number of guestsMr Praeger was bringing to the house. They were all activity onhearing the state of the occupants of the wagon, and hurried down thesteps to assist in lifting in our wounded companions, for neitherCharley nor Mark were able to walk. The captain, however, got up thesteps by merely leaning on Mr Praeger's arm. 

In a few minutes all three were placed in bed, Mrs Praeger declaringthat it was the only place fit for either of them, though her son wascertainly the most hurt. 

The young ladies were so busy during the evening, flitting about hereand there, that I could scarcely tell how many there were of them. Iremarked, however, that one was taller than the others, very fair, andwith a graceful figure. When Armitage--who had remained out of sight, looking after the horses--came in, she was not in the room, and it wassome time before she returned. When she did so, he rose to his feet, and regarded her earnestly, while the colour mounted to his cheek andbrow; then he bowed, and stood apparently irresolute whether to advanceor retreat. She started on seeing him and then put out her hand. Hesprang across the room and took it. 

"I little expected to have the happiness of seeing you, Miss Hargrave, "he said. 

"Is it a happiness?" she asked, in a calm tone. 

"Indeed it is, " he replied. "I heard that you had left England, butcould not ascertain to what part of the world you had gone. "

What further passed between our friend and the young lady I cannot tell, as they lowered their voices, while they retired to a window at theother end of the room, Armitage forgetting all about his supper. 

The ladies of the family, I should say, did not sit down to table, asthey had already taken their evening meal, and insisted on waiting uponus. 

Peter Praeger returned sooner than was expected with the doctor, whom hefound on a visit to a family five or six miles off. 

He gave a more favourable report of Dick and Charley than I expected, but young Mark, he said, would require the greatest possible care; agood constitution, however, he hoped, would enable him to pull through, though his hurts were of a most serious description. 

I had no opportunity of speaking to Armitage before turning in, so I wasunable to ascertain more about the young lady he had so unexpectedlymet. The rest of the family were very nice and pretty girls, theirmanners much superior to what I had reasonably supposed would be foundin the "Far West. "

Soon after breakfast the next morning, I saw Armitage and Miss Hargravewalking out together, he having asked her to show him a beautiful viewshe had spoken of at the other end of the estate. The rest of the youngladies being occupied, Story and I lit our pipes, and were sittingsmoking them in the verandah, when we were joined by Mr Praeger. 

"Your companion appears to be an old friend of my young relative, " heobserved, as if apparently wishing to learn something about Armitage. 

I replied that he was well known to Lieutenant Buntin, who spoke highlyof him; and that he was evidently a man of some means, as we judged fromhis outfit and the number of his attendants, while we had found him amost excellent fellow in every respect. 

"I'm glad to hear it, for the sake of my wife's young cousin Ellen, " heanswered. "She came out to us a few months ago, having lost herparents, and having no relatives for whom she cared in England. Shehad, however, very little idea of the rough style of life we arecompelled to lead; but she at once got into our ways, though I observedwhat I could not account for, that she was often more melancholy thanwas consistent with her disposition. Now, however, I suspect thecause. "

I fully agreed with our out-spoken host. I soon found that we were notlikely to learn anything of the interesting subject from Armitagehimself, for he was remarkably reticent, and I saw that it would not doto banter him, or allude in any way to it. 

I must pass over several days, during which the doctor as well as theladies of the family were unremitting in their attentions to the woundedmen. The captain was soon himself again, though still too weak totravel; but Charley's wound took much longer to heal, and Mark was notlikely to be on foot again for three or four weeks at soonest. In themeantime, Story and I, with our constant companion, Peter, rode over tothe settlement to obtain the stores we required for our journey, as wellas to replace our baggage mules. 

While thus engaged, we found an old trapper also making purchases at thestores. He was tall and gaunt, his countenance weather beaten andsunburnt, of a ruddy brown hue, his hair--which hung over hisshoulders--being only slightly grizzled, while his chin and face weresmooth shaved. He was dressed in a hunting-frock of buckskin, andpantaloons of the same material ornamented down the seams with longfringes. On his feet he wore mocassins of Indian make; his head wascovered by a neatly-made cap of beaver; an unusually large powder-hornwas slung over his shoulders, together with a rifle, carefully coveredup; while in his belt, in addition to a knife and tomahawk, he carried abrace of pistols with long barrels, showing that he was accustomed totravel amongst enemies, and was prepared to make a stout fight if he wasattacked. On seeing us, he enquired who we were, where we had comefrom, and in what direction we were going. 

We told him without hesitation. 

"I guess the old hoss will go with you some of the way, " he said. "TellMaster Praeger that Ben Folkard will pay him a visit before long, Ican't say when. He knows me, and he knows when I say I'll do a thing Iintend to do it. "

We promised to give old Folkard's message, and soon afterwards we partedfrom him. Peter told us that he had heard his father speak of BenFolkard as one of the most noted and skilful trappers of the RockyMountains, and that he never turned up without a large supply of skinsand peltries. 

We were fortunate in obtaining some fine Mexican mules and all thearticles we required, though we had to pay somewhat highly for them. Well satisfied, we set off to return to Mr Praeger's. The houses andthe stores were few and far between, the intermediate country beingstill in a state of nature. As our laden mules could not travel fast, we had to camp on the way. We chose a grassy spot near a wood, offeringsufficient attractions to our animals to prevent them from straying, though of course we hobbled them as an additional security. 

While Peter remained in camp, Story and I took our guns to get a turkey, or any other game which might come in our way. We had not gone far when

Story called my attention to an animal standing on the fallen trunk of atree, and told me to keep back the dogs, which would be sure to sufferif they were to attack it. I was about to fire, when I caught sight ofanother animal of similar size with a long, thin body and sharp nose, which I at once recognised as a marten. It had apparently been watchingthe porcupine, who, unconscious of its approach, remained perfectlystill, its spines scarcely visible. The marten was intent on taking itsenemy by surprise; and, stealing up, threw itself on the unsuspiciousporcupine before it had time even to raise its spines. The moment itfelt itself seized, it began to lash its tail about and throw out itsquills in all directions; but the marten, by its wonderful agility, escaped the blows aimed at it. In a short time it gained the victory, and was already sucking the blood of its victim when Story fired and hitit in the head. As the skin was of considerable value, we quicklyflayed it, and with a couple of turkeys which we were fortunate enoughto shoot, returned to camp, where, to our surprise, we found old Folkardseated smoking his pipe. 

"I'm going along with you, boys, " he said. "Good company isn't alwaysto be got, and it's not always safe, while the Redskins are on thewar-path, to travel through the country alone. You can help me and Ican help you, so that we shall be quits. "

We, of course, told the trapper that we should be very happy to have thebenefit of his experience. 

We passed the night quietly enough; but the next morning, to ourexcessive disgust, half the mules were missing. In spite of theirhobbles, they had managed to get away. Peter and I with two men at onceset off in search of them; but it was not until late in the day that wefound the runaways. As soon as we had brought them back we started, butof course could make but a short distance. On camping, with theassistance of the old trapper we hobbled them more securely than on theprevious night, and by his advice a watch was set, we all taking theduty in turns. Old Ben, however, excused himself from watching, declaring that his mules never ran away and that as he should have tokeep wide awake during most nights by and by, he should prefer a soundsleep while he could get it. 

To this we made no objection. We placed the packs on one side of ourcamp-fire, near which, having taken our suppers, the old trapper, Peter, and Story lay down to sleep; while I, with my rifle in my hand, walkedoff to look after the horses and mules. I kept walking up and down, keeping my eyes open, and when any of the animals appeared inclined tohead off from the rest turned them back. The night was fine and thestars shone out brightly, but it was otherwise somewhat dark. At last Ibegan to yawn and to wish heartily that Story would come and relieve me. Once or twice I heard cries in the distance very similar to those whichhad disturbed us when further to the west, but here, so near the settleddistricts, I thought nothing of the matter. I suspected that thecunning mules were watching me, for when I turned towards the camp tocall Story, off one or two of them bolted. They had played me thistrick two or three times, and at last one of them led me so long a chasethat when I caught him I determined to punish the brute by securing himto a tree. Having done so I turned towards the camp, but the fire hadburnt so low that I could scarcely see the spot. There was lightenough, however, to enable me to distinguish several objects moving overthe ground. Can they be Indians? I thought, as I ran forward hoping toarouse my companions in time to defend themselves. Before I got up tothe camp, however, I saw what I at once knew to be a pack of wolves. Onthey came without bark or yelp, making straight for our baggage. Amongthe provisions we had purchased was a quantity of pemmican placed on thetop. I really believe that the wolves, cunning as foxes, had surveyedour camp and knew exactly what to go in for. I shouted loudly, hopingto frighten them off and awaken my friends; but even old Ben wassleeping so soundly that for some time no one heard my voice, while Iwas afraid to fire at the wolves for fear--in the uncertain light--ofhitting one of my sleeping companions. At length up sprang Story andPeter, and their cries aroused the old trapper. It was too late, however, to prevent the wolves making an onslaught on our baggage. Eachseized something in his mouth, but our cries prevented them fromremaining and devouring the whole of our provisions, which theyundoubtedly otherwise would have done. Off they went, several of therascals carrying bags of pemmican or of flour, or packages of hams intheir mouths. I fired and stopped the career of one of them, while mycompanions, imitating my example, shot three others. We then, havingreloaded, made chase and brought down two or three more. 

We should have regained the whole of our provisions, but, in severalinstances, the moment a wolf was shot another brute seized his prize andmade off with it. Under other circumstances we should not have expendedpowder on the brutes. We fired away, however, as long as any remainedwithin shot, and on searching for the booty we recovered nearly thewhole of it. Our chief loss was in our flour, as the animals, whilegrabbing the bags from each other, had well nigh torn them to pieces andlet the contents run out. 

Old Ben took matters very coolly, but Story and Peter were so vexed thatthey undertook to ride back and replace our loss, if we would consent tomove on slowly with the rest of the animals. This we gladly did, theold trapper managing them with perfect ease. He said that he had seldomknown a pack of wolves to come so far east, and advised that in futurewe should keep a sharp look-out lest we might encounter others. 

Our friends overtook us the next day, and in the evening we reached MrPraeger's. We found Dick quite recovered and ready to set off again;but it seemed doubtful whether Armitage would continue his expedition. It struck me that although Mr Praeger was very civil, he would be gladto have us go. To say the least, we occupied a great deal of theattention of the ladies of the family, and Charley hinted that honestDick was somewhat spoony on one of them. Story had also been warm inhis praises of another, and it struck me that the young lady's colourheightened and her eyes brightened when he spoke to her. 

Mr Praeger seemed less contented with his location than I should havethought. He had evidently been captivated by the accounts of the wealthof California, and he made his "woman kind" somewhat uneasy by talkingof travelling across the country, bag and baggage, to settle in the newEldorado. They evidently had no wish to move; which was but natural, asthey appeared to me to have everything they could desire, besides beingfree from the risk of Indian raids to which the settlers farther westwere constantly exposed. Dick, Story and I now made active preparationsfor our departure; and, to my surprise, and much to our satisfaction, Armitage expressed his intention of accompanying us. 

I thought that Ellen's countenance and those of some of the other youngladies had a shade of sadness on them as they saw us engaged in doing upour packs and trying our newly-bought mules. Dick and I each purchaseda strong, active horse from Mr Praeger, for which we gave him longprices as some return for his hospitality; and we then presented himwith our own steeds, which were likely to pick up muscle and flesh onhis rich pastures. 

Though he was as courteous as ever, he did not press us to stay, and atlength, all our traps being prepared, we set off, accompanied by oldFolkard, who did not even ask whether we wished for his society or not. Armitage remained behind, so I did not witness his parting with MissHargrave, but he soon galloped after us. Peter accompanied us as far ashis brother's, to take the place of poor Mark, who was still unfit forwork, though in a fair way of recovery. We spent a day with the youngbackwoodsmen, whose hearts were delighted with a present of a first-rateJoe Manton. Our intention was to push on for the base of the RockyMountains to a region where deer and buffalo and big-horns abounded. Weshot several deer, but as we had come across no buffalo, the largerherds had, we supposed, moved northward. We had encamped one afternoonearlier than usual, being tempted to halt by a wide stream and a woodnear at hand. Our fire being lighted and our meat put on to roast andstew, Armitage, Story, and I took our guns to go out in search ofturkeys or other small game, should we be unable to find deer. Armitagetook two of his dogs, though they often gave us more trouble thanassistance in hunting. We had, however, been tolerably successful, andshot three fine gobblers and some smaller birds, when, as we werereturning towards camp, the dogs gave tongue and started off to theright, refusing to return at their master's call. 

We hurried on as fast as the rough nature of the ground would allow us. We were on the top of some low cliffs which had formed at some time orother of the world's history the side of a torrent now dried up andovergrown with trees. Presently we heard a cry of--

"Here, boys, help, help!"

At the same time one of the dogs leaped over the cliff, and we saw ashort distance from us Charley struggling with a brown bear, providentially not a grizzly, which with great courage he had grasped bythe throat so as to prevent the brute from biting him; but he wasbrought on his knees, his cap had fallen off, and his gun lay on theground beside him. In another instant the bear would have seized hishead, when the dog leaped down on the creature's back and caused adiversion in his favour. To fire would have been dangerous, for had wetried to kill the bear we should have run a fearful risk of shootingCharley. We therefore trusted to the assistance of the dogs, the other, following its companion, having fixed its teeth well into the bear. Charley manfully continued the contest, but was afraid of releasing hishold of the bear's throat lest it should bite him. 

We shouted and shrieked, hoping to frighten Bruin, as we scrambled overthe rocks. At length Charley, still holding the bear's throat with onehand, managed to get hold of his knife with the other, and in spite ofthe creature's claws round his waist, using all his strength he struckthe weapon into its breast. The bear opened its paws as it felt theknife entering, and Charley, having driven the weapon home, sprang back, when the creature rolled over, almost crushing one of the dogs in itsconvulsive struggles. Before we could get up to the scene of thecontest it was dead, and most thankful were we to find Charleywonderfully little injured, though his clothes were somewhat torn. Ouryoung friend showed indeed remarkable nerve, for he scarcely eventrembled, though his cheek was somewhat paler than usual from thedesperate exertions he had made. 

On examining the bear we found that it was an old one, and somewhat thinfrom want of food; its claws also were blunted from old age, whichcircumstance accounted for Charley's almost miraculous escape, for hadit possessed its full strength a single hug would have pressed the lifeout of his body. 

We congratulated him heartily on his preservation, and complimented himon the courage he had exhibited. 

"Let us have the skin, at all events, " he said. "I would sooner carryit on my own shoulders into camp than leave it behind. "

"We'll not disappoint you, my boy, " said Story; and he immediately beganto flay the animal; but as its flesh was likely to prove tough, we leftthe carcase for the benefit of the prairie wolves. 

While Story and I carried the skin between us, Armitage assistedCharley, who was less able to walk than he had at first supposed. A mancannot get even a moderate hug from a bear without suffering. 

At the camp we found two strange Indians, who seemed disposed to be veryfriendly, and invited us to pay them a visit at their lodges only anhour's march off. One of them was a fine young fellow, dressed in aleathern jacket and leggings richly ornamented, while on his head hewore a circlet of feathers. He appeared to be greatly struck withCharley on hearing of his exploit with the bear, and putting out hishand, declared that they must henceforth be brothers. 

Dick, though greatly delighted at hearing of Charley's behaviour, wasmuch concerned on seeing the injuries he had received, which were moreserious than we had at first supposed. He insisted on his turning intoa hut which old Folkard and Pierre immediately set to work to construct. 

Our guests begged that he might be conveyed to their wigwams, sayingthat their squaws would doctor him and soon restore his strength. 

"They may be honest--those Shianees--but they may be rogues like manyother Redskins, " observed old Ben. "Better not trust them. "

We therefore thanked our guests, but declined their offer for thepresent, saying that our young companion was unfit to be moved, thoughwe hoped to pay them a visit on the following day. 

They, nothing abashed, continued to squat round the fire, smokingtobacco and quaffing with evident pleasure the small glasses ofusquebaugh which Dick bestowed upon them. Armitage objected, however, to the captain's giving them liquor. 

"Let them take as much as they've a fancy to, " said Ben. "It won't dothem any harm once in a way, and it will let us know what they arethinking about. "

Our guests having drunk the whisky, showed the same friendly dispositionas at first, nor did they complain when Dick refused to give them anymore. 

"A little do good, too much do harm, " observed Dick, at which theynodded as if perfectly agreeing with him. 

As the shades of evening approached, they got up, and shaking hands allround, took their departure. 

"They're all right, we may trust them, " said Ben. 

We nevertheless kept a strict watch over our cattle, for the temptationto steal a fine stud might have been too great for our Indian neighboursto resist. No attempt was made on the camp however, and the nextmorning the animals were found feeding as quietly as usual. 

CHAPTER FIVE. 

A tremendous storm, such as we had not yet experienced, kept us in campthe next morning. The lightning flashed, the thunder roared, and therain came down in torrents, compelling us to make trenches round ourhuts. Even when doing this, we were nearly wet to the skin. Our firesalso were almost extinguished, though we contrived to keep them in byheaping up fresh fuel every few minutes. It was truly a battle betweenthe flames and the rain, but the former would have been beaten withoutour assistance. The same cause probably kept the Indians inside theirwigwams, for we saw nothing of them. We managed to cover up poorCharley so that he did not suffer. In the afternoon, the rain clearedoff, and trusting to the professions of the Indians, Dick and I set offto pay them a visit. For prudence, according to the custom we hadadopted, we wore our swords by our sides, at which, as they appearedrather more for ornament than use, the Indians were not likely to takeoffence. One of the Indians, who had come to our camp the previousevening, was, we discovered, their chief, by name Ocuno, or the YellowWolf. He received us with outstretched hands, appearing highly pleasedat our coming, and without hesitation introduced us to his principalsquaw, a very attractive young woman with a pleasing expression ofcountenance, and much fairer than Indians in general, indeed we had nodoubt that she must have had a white father. She told us that she wasmuch attached to the whites, and had not it been her lot to become thewife of Yellow Wolf, she would gladly have married a pale face. Dickwas so well satisfied, that he agreed to bring his young friend over totheir village the next morning, that he might be placed under hercharge. 

The Yellow Wolf told us that he intended to start in search of buffaloin a day or two, and that if we chose, we might accompany him, promisingthat we should have half the animals slain; "for, " as he observed, "heand his people were more expert hunters, yet our firearms would makeamends for our want of skill. "

After spending some time with our new friends, we returned to our owncamp. The offer of Yellow Wolf was accepted by all hands, and in themorning we conveyed Charley on a litter to his lodge, the baggage mulesand spare horses being also moved forward to the neighbourhood of thevillage. We found the Indians preparing to engage in a dance, which wesupposed was for our entertainment, but which we afterwards discovered, was for the sake of inducing the Good Spirit to send herds of buffalo totheir neighbourhood. 

As soon as Charley was comfortably placed inside his wigwam, and thefair Manoa, the "Flower of the Prairies"--as her lord was wont to callher--was examining his hurts, the Yellow Wolf desired us to be seated infront of it. Scarcely had we taken our places, than from every hutrushed forward some monstrous figures with buffalo heads, but the legsof men and huge tails trailing behind, the whole of the party collectingin an open space in front of us. They were about to begin, we weretold, their famous buffalo dance. First round and round they trampedwith measured steps, then they rushed against each other, thenseparated, then again met. Some were overthrown, but quickly getting ontheir feet, rejoined their companions. Now they bent down on all fours;now one buffalo, seizing a bow, shot a blunt arrow at another. Some hadshields and spears; some, mounted on the backs of their companions, charged at everyone they met; all the time the whole band were stamping, bellowing, yelping, and making other terrific noises, while anotherparty were seated on the ground beating their drums, and shaking theirrattles, the dancers keeping time to the discordant music. It isdifficult to describe the feats of the different performers, for eachman appeared to dance until he could dance no more, except that when apretended buffalo was shot by a blunt arrow, he was dragged out, andanother immediately took his place. This amusement went on until wewere utterly weary of witnessing it, though at first it was amusingenough. I then suggested to Yellow Wolf that he should order thedancers to "knock off;" but he replied that the efficacy of the ceremonydepended upon its continuing until the buffalo should appear. 

"But suppose they should not come for a whole moon, your braves will bepretty well worn out by that time, " I remarked. 

"But they will come before then, " he answered. 

"So I should hope, " I said, laughing. 

At last a bevy of squaws placed on the ground, in front of the tent, anabundant feast of various messes, of which our host invited us topartake, suggesting that we should add a few articles from our ownstores, including a bottle of fire-water, "for which, " he observed, "hislips felt a peculiar longing. "

We took the hint, but Dick ordered only a small bottle to be brought, observing that we kept the firewater for sick men, or for such occasionsas the present, and that we could not venture to draw largely on ourstore. 

Unattractive as were the dishes the Redskin damsels offered us, theywere far more palatable than might have been expected. 

As the Indians liked their own dishes best, and we preferred ours, wedid not trespass very largely on theirs. We found from the small amountof meat in the village, that the inhabitants were more hard up for foodthan we had supposed. 

The buffalo dancers all the time continued their performance, beingevidently impressed with the belief that the more furiously they danced, the sooner the buffaloes would make their appearance. Night brought nocessation, one relay of performers relieving the other withoutintermission; so that I was afraid poor Charley would have but littlechance of a sleep. He, however, when I paid him a visit beforeretiring, assured me that he had got accustomed to the noise; and thatthe Flower of the Prairies had taken such good care of him that he wasperfectly ready to remain where he was. Although we had everyconfidence in the honesty of our new friends, we deemed it prudent tokeep a watch at night, both in camp and over the animals, for fear someyoung brave might take it into his head to distinguish himself byrunning off with a horse or two, as he would be sure to find a welcomeamong any friendly tribe after the performance of such an act. I haveno doubt there are some noble Redskins fit to become heroes of romances;but the greater part are unmitigated savages, with notions of right andwrong very different from those of civilised people. 

The next day we paid a visit to Yellow Wolf, when we found his peoplestill dancing with unabated vigour. 

"The buffalo have not come yet!" I observed to him. 

"Wait a bit, they come by-and-by, " he replied. Dick suggested that weshould strike away westward in search of them, but Yellow Wolf repliedthat it would be of no use, and that probably the buffalo would turnback and take a different course, should the pale-faces pursue them. 

Old Ben advised us not to act contrary to the chief's wishes, observingthat he undoubtedly had a very correct notion of when the buffalo wouldappear, as he never allowed the dance to commence until he calculatedthat the herd were not far off. 

Wishing to cement our friendship with the chief we invited him and someof his principal braves to our camp, where we provided a feast assuitable to their tastes as we were capable of producing. They approvedof the boiled ham and pork as well as the corn cakes, sweetened withsugar, which old Ben manufactured; but they hinted pretty strongly thatthe stuff our flasks contained was more to their taste than anythingelse we possessed. We took good care, however, not to give them enoughto make them drunk; but Armitage observed that we were doing them harmby creating in them a taste for spirits, and that it would have beenwiser not to allow them from the first to know that we had any. 

The feast was over, and our guests were smoking the tobacco with whichwe provided them, puffing away with evident enjoyment, when a youngbrave was seen galloping towards our camp at headlong speed. As heapproached, he cried out, --"The buffalo! the buffalo are coming!"

"I said so!" exclaimed Yellow Wolf, springing up and rushing towards hishorse. We all followed his example, leaving Pierre and the Indians incharge of the camp. 

Yellow Wolf and his followers directed their course towards their lodgesto obtain their bows and arrows; for, to show the confidence they placedin us, they had come without them. As we came near, we saw, far to thenorth and north-west, the whole ground covered with a dark mass ofshaggy monsters, tossing their heads and flourishing their tails, theground literally trembling beneath their feet as they dashed on towardsus. The course they were following would bring them directly down uponthe camp. We might as well have endeavoured to stop a cataract as tohave tried to turn them aside. Their sudden appearance caused thegreatest excitement and confusion in the camp. The buffalo dancers, whohad danced they were convinced to some purpose, having thrown off theirmasquerading dresses, were rushing here and there to obtain their armsand catch their horses. Before, however, the greater number were readyfor the encounter, the buffalo were in their midst; and, to the dismayof the inmates, charged right through the camp, capsizing wigwams, trampling over women and children, dashing through the fires, andcrushing pots and pans. Many of the brutes, however, paid dearly fortheir exploit; as the hunters, with shouts and shrieks, followed themup, shooting down some, spearing others, and ham-stringing the brutesright and left, who were too much astonished and confused at theunexpected reception they met with to escape. I made my way to thechief's wigwam, which I was thankful to see still standing, and was justin time to shoot a buffalo charging at it with a force which would haveupset a structure of ten times its stability. As it was, the animalrolled over, close to the tent poles. It was the first buffalo I hadkilled, and I was the prouder of the exploit as I had saved Charlie andthe Flower of the Prairies from injury. I saw the chief galloping afteranother buffalo charging an old warrior fallen to the ground, and whowould, in another moment, have been transfixed by its horns, had notYellow Wolf stuck his spear behind its shoulder so powerful a blow thatthe creature rolled over, not, however, without almost crushing the oldman's legs. The fierce onslaught made by the Indians on the herd atlength divided it, some of the animals going off to the south-east, others to the south-west. Greatly to our satisfaction they then passedby on either side of our camp, several of their number being broughtdown by Ben Folkard's and Pierre's unerring rifles, three also beingkilled by our Indian followers. We, as well as the Indians, however, excited by the chase, still followed the buffaloes, although it seemedto me that we had already as much meat as the people could possiblyconsume. 

Away we went, the Indians pursuing the cows, which they had singled out, their flesh being of the most value, though they were much smaller thanthe bulls. I confess, as they were all galloping along together, that Icould scarcely distinguish one from the other. I found myself at lengthalone, pursuing part of the herd which had turned away eastward. I hadmanaged to knock over two animals, and having again loaded made chaseafter a cow which had separated from her companions, I being determinedto shoot her and then return. For some time she gave me no chance, as, unless I could obtain a broadside shot, there was no use in firing. Myhorse was beginning to get blown, but I urged him on with whip and spur, until at length I managed to get up to within a few paces, when risingin my stirrups I fired down upon the animal. It seemed like the work ofa moment, scarcely had I pulled the trigger than down dropped thebuffalo, the bullet having broken her spine. So rapid was the pace ofmy horse, that he was unable to stop himself. He made an attempt, however, to spring over the buffalo, but his feet striking its body overhe rolled sending me with my gun still grasped in my hand, flying to theopposite side, when down he came almost upon me. At first I was seizedwith the dreadful idea that both my legs were broken, and I expectedthat my horse in his struggles would crush me still further, but thewell-trained creature, recovering himself, rose to his feet withouttrampling upon me. Fortunately my sword was not broken, nor thrown outof the scabbard. 

For some time I lay holding his bridle but unable to move. I was faraway from either of my companions and was much afraid that I should notbe discovered. The first thing I had to do was to try and get into mysaddle; but, should I fail, dreadful might be my fate. My horse mightperhaps make his way into camp, and by his appearance show that someaccident had happened to me. I had a pocketbook and tore out a leaf andwrote--"Lying on the ground with both legs broken, to the eastward ofthe camp, " and signed it, "Tom Rushforth. "

I endeavoured to reach one of my stirrups to which I intended to fastenthe paper and then to set my horse at liberty. Before doing so, however, I thought I would examine my legs and ascertain if they werereally broken. On feeling the bones, to my infinite satisfaction Icould discover no fracture, though they pained me greatly. Iaccordingly tried and succeeded in getting up; and, although I do notthink I could have walked a yard, I managed to scramble into my saddlewith my gun. I then, having thrown down a handkerchief to mark the cowI had shot as my own put my horse's head, as I supposed, in thedirection of the camp. 

I was anxious to get back as soon as possible, but the pain of ridingfast was greater than I could bear, and I was compelled to make my horsewalk at a pace not suited to his fancy. 

I could still see the buffalo scampering over the prairie, moving off tothe southward, and I concluded that they would be miles away before theend of the day. I looked round for any friends, but not a horsemancould I discover. 

The weather had been bright during the early part of the day, but cloudswere now drifting rapidly over the sky, and I continued riding ontowards the north-west until the sun became totally obscured. I stillbelieved that I could direct my course right. To trot was unbearable, but I thought that I might venture on a gallop; the movement, however, caused me so much pain that I was compelled again to pull up. In rainmy eyes ranged over the wide extent of the prairie, in search of thewigwams of our Indian friends. For some time I guided myself by thewind, but that also shifted and fell light, so that I was unable tosteer by it. I could distinguish the trail of the buffalo, by the tallgrass which they had trampled down; but that did not serve to guide me, for it seemed to bend in all directions, though I have no doubt it wouldhave served an Indian perfectly. I arrived at length at the unpleasantconclusion, that I had lost myself; still, could I but get a gleam ofsunshine, or see the distant hills, I might, I hoped, ascertain whatdirection to take. 

Had I not been so severely injured, I should not have cared so much; forhaving just before taken a good meal, I could have gone without fooduntil the following day. I felt sure that my friends would come tosearch for me, but it might be long before I should be discovered, andthe pain I suffered warned me of the importance of getting into camp assoon as possible. 

My rifle was loaded, and I fired it off two or three times, hoping thatthe sound might be heard. I listened eagerly expecting a reply. Aperfect silence, however, reigned over the vast plain. At length Ibecame seriously anxious about my safety. I was still convinced that Iwas riding towards the west, and I pushed on. From the feeling in mylegs, I fancied they must have swelled to twice their natural size, buton looking down they appeared as usual. The pain caused my spirits tosink, and all sorts of gloomy thoughts passed through my mind. Againand again I looked round. At length I saw in the far distance, anobject moving over the plain, which I at once conjectured was ahorseman, though I could only distinguish the upper part of his body. Iturned my horse's head towards him, and raised my rifle in the air, hoping that he might perceive it. As I got nearer, I saw, by the plumeon his head, that he was an Indian, and I naturally concluded that hewas either Yellow Wolf or one of his braves, or perhaps one of our ownpeople. I was somewhat surprised, however, when instead of coming ondirectly towards me, he turned to the right, and began to move on at agallop over the ground. I then perceived that his headdress wasdifferent to that of my friends, and that he carried a long shield andspear, as well as a bow and arrows. I had just reached a slight knoll, on which I pulled up that I might the more carefully survey thestranger. An attentive look at him convinced me that he was aCoomanche, one of the same people who had before attacked us, so that Iknew I must treat him as an enemy rather than a friend. Should I lethim get near me, I felt pretty sure that, if he was a Coomanche, hewould play me some treacherous trick. I therefore unslung my rifle, andin a loud voice shouted to him to keep his distance. 

He heard me clearly enough, but instead of stopping galloping towardsme, he threw himself on the side of his horse, and, before I could coverhim with my rifle, I saw the head of an arrow projecting over hissaddle. To avoid it by retreating was impossible, so, bringing my rifleup to my shoulder, I gave a sudden jerk to my rein, which made my horsestep back a few paces, and the arrow, aimed at my body, flew by in frontof his nose. I had refrained from firing. The Coomanche, for such Iconcluded that he was, seeing that he was in my power--having shotanother arrow which in his flurry, he was prevented aiming truly--galloped off to a distance. 

I now shouted to him, threatening to kill his horse, and advising him totake himself off. He seemed doubtful, apparently, what to do. He mighthave hoped, that, should I execute my threat, he might still bring medown with an arrow, and by mounting my steed make his escape; but hemust have been well aware there are many chances in warfare, and that Imight shoot him instead of his steed. He might have guessed, by my nothaving fired, that I had my wits about me. I of course narrowly watchedhis movements, and seeing him glance over his shoulder, the ideaoccurred to me, that he was expecting others of his tribe to appear, inwhich case I should have but little chance of escaping. 

At length he decided how to act. Once more he made at me, shooting acouple of arrows in rapid succession. One went through the sleeve of mycoat; another struck the saddle, narrowly missing my legs, but did notpierce through the leather. 

He might have half-a-dozen more arrows in his hand, and it was necessaryto be cautious. As he circled round, I kept turning so as always toface him, when he was afraid of riding directly at me, for should he doso, he would he knew inevitably expose himself, and I should scarcelyfail to miss him. His object was, I concluded, to keep me employeduntil the arrival of his friends. It would be folly to do as he wished. As long as I remained on the same spot, I could at any moment take asteady aim at him. Though he was aware of this, he trusted to my notfiring, for fear of being unarmed should he charge me. At length hecame so near, that I resolved not to lose the opportunity of knockingover his horse. I aimed just behind the animal's shoulder, and musthave shot it through the heart; for, giving one bound, it fell overdead. The active Indian, however, in a moment extricating himself, leapt to his feet, and came bounding towards me. 

In a moment my trusty sword was out of its sheath, when, with a howl ofdisappointed rage, the Coomanche, seeing it uplifted to cut him down, turned tail and ran off as fast as his legs would carry him. Iimmediately reloaded and should, I believe, have shot the Redskin also;but I had no wish to take the poor wretch's life, though, for my ownsafety, I determined to do so, should he again approach me. At thatmoment, the sun coming out from behind a cloud, just above the horizon, shone on a distant peak, which I had remarked from our camp. I had nowno doubt as to the direction I should take. In spite of the agony themovement caused me, I put my horse into a gallop, leaving my lateantagonist to pursue his way unhindered, and steered my course towardsthe north-west, where I hoped before long to discover my friends. Thesun, however, sunk before I had seen either them or the Indian wigwams. Still the glow in the western sky guided me long after darkness hadcrept over the open prairie. When that disappeared, I was again at aloss how to keep a straight course. Throwing therefore the reins on myhorse's neck, I trusted to his instinct to lead me aright. 

I had gone on for two hours in the darkness when, to my joy, I saw abright light ahead. It was that, I had little doubt, of our own campfire. I was not mistaken. In a short time Dick's cheery voice welcomedme. He and my other companions had become anxious at my non-appearance. I was almost falling from my horse, and could not have dismountedwithout assistance. On telling them of my fight with the Coomanche, Pierre immediately sent off to tell our Indian friends of my suspicionsthat a party of their enemies were in the neighbourhood. 

CHAPTER SIX. 

Being fully satisfied that the Shianees would prove friendly andstaunch, we agreed to move our camp close to theirs, that we might thebetter be able to withstand any attack which the Coomanches mightventure to make upon us. I managed, with the assistance of my friends, to mount my horse so as to perform the short journey, though I suffereda considerable amount of pain. We found Yellow Wolf and his bravesseated in council, to decide on a plan of operations against the enemy. He expressed his gratitude for the warning I had given him, andcomplimented me on the victory I had obtained over the Coomanche brave. "Scouts have been sent out, " he said, "to ascertain the position of theenemy, but as yet no information has been received of theirwhereabouts. " He suspected that they were very numerous, or they wouldnot have ventured into that part of the country; but with our assistancehe had no doubt about his being able to repel an attack. Had his tribebeen alone he would have moved westward to escape from them, as hisobject at present was to kill buffalo, and lay in a winter store ofpemmican. 

There was little sleep for any of the party that night. The Indianswere preparing to set out on the war-path, while my companions sat upnot knowing at what moment the Coomanches might burst upon us, and I waskept awake by the pain my legs continued to cause me. Yellow Wolf, onseeing how much I suffered, sent his wife over with a supply of salvesto doctor me. 

The night, however, passed away in quietness: and when the scoutsreturned in the morning they reported that they had been unable todiscover any traces of an enemy. We therefore remained in camp, bothfor my sake, and Charley's; while all hands were employed inmanufacturing pemmican. The rest, and the care bestowed upon me by theFlower of the Prairies, had so beneficial an effect that in the courseof a couple of days I was myself again. 

I should have said that the Indians had brought in the meat from the cowand two bulls I had killed, having discovered them in the direction Ihad described. The flesh of the buffaloes having by this time been cutup and turned into pemmican, no small portion having been eaten by theIndians, both they and we were ready to recommence our march. 

Just as we were about to start, a scout brought word that he haddiscovered a Coomanche trail, but being alone he was afraid to follow itup. The chief rated him soundly for his cowardice, and declared hisintention of setting out himself with one of his braves, to learn whathe could from an inspection of the enemy's position, so as to be able asfar as possible to judge of their intended movements. I volunteered toaccompany him. 

"There are few pale-faces from whom I would accept such an offer, " heanswered; "but you have shown so much courage and discretion, that Ishall be glad of your company. "

I do not mean to say that he used these words, but it was somethingequivalent. I thanked him for the compliment, which I modestly remarkedwas scarcely deserved. Dick and Armitage strongly advised me not to go;but, having made the offer, I felt I should lose credit with theRedskins should I draw back. We were to proceed with three mountedattendants, who were to take charge of our steeds as we drew near theenemy's camp, and we were then to go forward on foot. 

"We may have to run for our lives should we be discovered, " said YellowWolf, as we rode along; "and unless you can depend upon your legs, itwill be wise to remain with the horses. "

I replied that my object was to see the way of approaching an enemy'scamp, and to get a sight of it, and that I felt sure I could run as fastas he could. We accordingly continued on until we came upon the trailwhich the scout had discovered. Yellow Wolf now proceeded morecautiously, it being of the greatest importance that the enemy shouldnot discover us. At length he announced his belief that we had got nearthe Coomanche camp. We therefore left our horses in charge of the threeIndians, and then continued in the direction we were before going onfoot. I observed that Yellow Wolf's eye ranged over the ground oneither side, as well as ahead. As I thought of the distance we had comesince we left our horses, I began to repent somewhat of the task I hadundertaken; however, I trusted to the sagacity of my companion, that weshould not be detected, and that we should be able to retreat as we hadadvanced. Yellow Wolf led, and his brave followed, I bringing up therear. My companions frequently stopped, and, bending their ears to theground, listened for any sounds which might warn them they were reachingthe Coomanche camp. At first they walked upright, but now they bentdown, taking advantage of any cover which offered. 

At length they stopped and whispered together, and Yellow Wolf told meto be more careful than ever. Then again he and his companion moved on, until he made a sign to me to keep under cover, while they crept forwardalong the top of a bank, covered by bushes of wild roses. I saw themeagerly stretching out their necks, so as to obtain a view beyond. Icrept after them, looking through the bushes, and could distinguish inthe plain below a considerable band of warriors, some engaged inlighting fires, others in collecting wood, or preparing provisions, while their horses ranged round near at hand. 

It would have been a fine opportunity to take them by surprise, for amounted party could have swept down upon them before they had time tocatch their horses. I have no doubt the Yellow Wolf thought the samething, but neither he nor his companion uttered a word. 

After satisfying my curiosity, I crept back as cautiously as I hadadvanced; and the two Indians, who had surveyed the camp to theirsatisfaction, came after me. We at once commenced a retreat in the samefashion as we had advanced, being quite as careful to conceal ourselves. Their great object was to escape detection, so that their enemies mightnot be aware that the position of their camp was known, and mightcontinue as unprepared for the reception of a foe as they appeared to beat present. 

Not until we regained our horses, did the Yellow Wolf speak. As wegalloped along on our return, he told me that the Coomanches wouldremain at their present camp for a couple of days, and would thenproceed to the north-west in the hopes of coming up with the herds ofbuffalo which were feeding in that direction. How he knew this is morethan I can say. I asked him whether he intended to attack theCoomanches. 

He replied that he must hold a council with his braves, and that if theyagreed to follow him, he proposed doing so the next morning in the hopesof catching his foes off their guard. He inquired whether I and myfriends would assist. I replied that I could not give an answer withoutconsulting them; that we had come to the country, not to make war on theRedskins, and that it was our practice to fight only when we wereattacked. This answer did not appear particularly to please him. Isaid, however, that should he and his people be attacked, we would nodoubt fulfil our promise in assisting them. 

"The pale-faces are wise, " he remarked, "they fight only when they areobliged; that is the reason why red man go down and they live. "

Great excitement was produced in the camp by the news we brought, andwithout loss of time a council was held. I told my friends what YellowWolf had said, but they decided at once not to assist him in attackingthe Coomanche camp. "We shall have quite enough to do in making our waythrough the country, without joining in quarrels not our own, " observedArmitage. 

We waited with come anxiety, therefore, the result of our friends'deliberations. At last Yellow Wolf came to our camp and announced thathis braves were unanimous in their resolution of attacking theCoomanches; that they intended to set out that night so as to surprisethem just before daybreak. He invited us to accompany them; when Dick, getting up, made him a speech in true Indian fashion, expressing ourgratitude for the treatment Charley and I had received from the "Flowerof the Prairies, " and our affection for him and his; but at the sametime observing that we must decline to cut the throats of a number ofpeople with whom we had no quarrel. 

The chief, who took our refusal very good-humouredly, asked if we wouldassist in guarding the camp and the women and children during hisabsence. This request we could not well refuse, and we had therefore toagree to await his return, Dick telling him that we hoped he would comeback victorious. 

This matter settled, he and his braves immediately set out; while wekept a strict watch on the camp, which we thought it more than probablemight be attacked during the absence of the warriors whose departuretheir cunning enemies might have discovered. 

Although there were two or three alarms caused by a pack of coyoteswhich approached the camp, the morning broke without an enemy havingbeen seen. We had still many hours to wait the result of the battle. It was not until near the evening that a band of horsemen were seenapproaching from the northeast. They might be friends or they might beenemies. We all hastened to our posts, old men and boys seizing theirarms ready to fight if necessary. As the horsemen drew nearer, theIndians uttered loud cries of satisfaction, for they were discovered tobe their friends. Still they came on slowly. It appeared to me thattheir numbers were diminished. Presently Yellow Wolf dashed forwardbearing a couple of scalps at the end of his spear. Other bravesfollowed, several of them having the same gory trophies. On getting upclose to the camp, they halted to receive the congratulations of theirfriends. 

The old men and women then began to inquire for the relatives who wereno longer among them. The same answer was given to all, "He fellfighting bravely. " On hearing this, loud wails arose from those who hadlost husbands, brothers, and sons. 

It was some time before we could learn from Yellow Wolf what hadhappened. He had been entirely successful in surprising the Coomanchecamp, but they had fought desperately and many of his braves fell beforehe had succeeded in putting his enemies to flight. The scalps he hadbrought showed the number of slain on the other side. Another day waslost, while our savage friends blackened their faces and mourned for thedead, after which they danced their hideous scalp-dance. I was thankfulthat they had returned without prisoners; for I am certain they wouldhave put them to death with all sorts of horrible tortures, even thoughwe might have protested against so barbarous a custom. They, however, managed to bring back one of their people desperately wounded, with twoarrows and a bullet through his body. It seemed surprising that hecould have lived so long. It was, however, evident to us that he wasdying; but his friends thought that he might be recovered by the effortsof one of their medicine-men, whose vocation we had not beforediscovered. The patient was laid on the ground half-stripped, while thetribe sat round in a circle. Presently, from out of one of the tents, the most grotesque figure I ever beheld made his appearance. A hugewolf-skin cloak covered his back; on his head he wore a mask, representing the head of a wolf double the ordinary size. Dried frogsand fish and snakes hung down from his neck, his whole body beingconcealed by skins. In one hand he carried a spear, ornamented with avariety of coloured feathers and snakes twisting up it, and in the othera sort of tambourine, from which also were hung snakes and frog-skins. He advanced, making a series of jumps and uttering wild yellsaccompanied by the rattling of his magic drum until, entering thecircle, he approached his patient. He then began to dance round him, striking and rattling his drum, shrieking and shouting; sometimesleaping over the wounded man, then shaking him from side to side. 

I watched the poor sufferer, who endured the fearful pain to which hewas put without a groan, gazing at the hideous figure, the last sight hewas destined to behold on earth; for in a short time his jaw fell, hiseyes became fixed, and he was dead. Still the conjurer, utterlyunconscious of this, went on with his performance; until at length hiseye falling on the body and perceiving what had occurred, he turnedround and darted into his tent. The Indians did not appear to be verymuch surprised, but I suppose fancied that they had done their best fortheir friend, and that their medicine-man had done all that he could doto save the life of the brave. 

As Charley was now sufficiently recovered to move, Armitage proposedthat we should recommence our march, and we prepared accordingly. Ournew friends, however, were not so easily to be shaken off, and when theydiscovered our intentions, they made preparations to accompany us. 

I have not described their lodges. They were of a conical form, theframe-work of straight long poles about twenty-five feet long. This wasfirst erected, when round it were stretched a number of well-dressedbuffalo robes, sewn tightly together and perfectly water-proof. Thepoint where the ends of the poles protruded was left open to allow thesmoke to escape. On one side was the entrance closed by a door, also ofbuffalo hide. The fire was made in the centre, immediately under theaperture. In cold weather the Indians slept on buffalo rugs, with theirfeet towards the fire, and these rugs were rolled up during the day andplaced at the back of the lodge. 

The women had all the work of putting up the lodges. We watched thepoor creatures taking them down again, rolling up the skins, and placingthem on bars near the lower ends of the poles, which trailed on theground, the upper ends being secured half on each side of the horses. The young squaws and children were mounted on the horses, while theolder had to toil along on foot often with loads on their backs. Besides horses, our friends had a number of dogs which were employed indrawing loads on small sledges, and very hard work they must have foundit in summer. They had also other dogs of a smaller species which werereserved for food when buffalo meat was not to be obtained. 

For three days we travelled on in their company, when the scouts broughtword that a large herd of buffaloes were feeding a few leagues off tothe southwest. Our friends immediately encamped and prepared to set offin chase, trusting that the Coomanches, after the signal defeat they hadreceived, would not attack them. We should have been glad of an excusefor separating from our friends; but as we wished to see more of theirmode of hunting the buffalo, we agreed to accompany them. Charley, Iwas glad to see, was as well able to sit his horse as before, and hedeclared that he was ready to undergo any amount of fatigue. Accordingto our custom, we kept as much together as possible; but we endeavourednot to show that we doubted the honest intentions of the Indians. 

Occasionally the Yellow Wolf, getting off his horse, put his ear to theground to listen, as he said "for the feet of the buffalo. "

At length, quickly mounting, he exclaimed that he heard them and that weshould soon come in sight of the herd. We therefore pushed rapidlyforward; and, reaching the top of a slight rising, we saw a large numberof black dots scattered over the plain. To the right, on one side ofwhere the buffalo were feeding, was a smaller elevation to that on whichwe were posted. Guided by the chief we made towards it. On reachingthe further or western side, the chief advised that we should dismount, saying that he wished to attack the buffalo in a way often adopted byhis people before charging in among them on horseback. We of courseagreed, anxious to see the method he spoke of. 

The Indians had brought with them several wolfskins with the heads andtails. Creeping up the hill, over the brow of which we looked to watchwhat was going forward, we saw them put the skins on their backs, andtake their bows and a quantity of arrows in their hands, so that at adistance they much resembled wolves. On they went, whenever sheltercould be obtained, running rapidly forward, but as they got on the openplain again bending down and creeping on all fours. Whenever they sawthe shaggy beasts looking at them, they stopped and seemed to be engagedwith something on the ground, as if they had no intention of approachingthe herd. When the buffaloes went on feeding they again advanced. 

Were the buffaloes sharp-sighted animals they might have discoveredtheir foes; but their hair covering their eyes prevents them from seeingclearly. The hunters got closer and closer. 

Having selected the fattest animal in sight, presently one, rising for amoment, let fly his arrow, which entered the breast of a buffalo nearhim. The animal, after running for a few paces, dropped withoutdisturbing the rest, who seemed to fancy that their companion had merelylain down on the ground. Each of the other Indians did the same, and, without taking any notice of the beasts they had killed, continued theircourse, shooting arrow after arrow, until upwards of a dozen buffaloeshad bit the ground. 

It is only, however, when the bison are quietly feeding that they can beapproached in this way. When they are on the move, they keep their eyesabout them, and a man on foot can with difficulty get near. Thedisguised hunters would probably have killed many more, but that forsome reason or other the herd began to move on. The moment the chiefobserved this he called to us and the others to come forward; and awaywe dashed after the herd, which, alarmed at the sound of the horses'hoofs, rushed on, every instant increasing their speed. As before allwas silence and quiet, now the air was rent with a confusion of sounds--the tramp of the bisons and the pursuing horses, the shouts and cries ofthe hunters as they dashed forward in chase. 

We let them take the lead for some time, to see their mode ofproceeding. We remarked especially the force and precision with which, while going at full gallop, they let fly their arrows, always aimingbehind the shoulders of the shaggy beasts. They took good care never tohead them, while they kept at a sufficient distance to have room toavoid the fierce charges the terror-stricken bisons occasionally made. 

After they had shot a considerable number, we who had hitherto kept inthe rear gave our horses the rein and were soon up with the herd. 

Armitage and Story were in their glory, and upheld the honour of thewhite man by each shooting three buffaloes, while Dick and I killed two. I saw Charley shoot down one in very good style, and then pursueanother which he had made up his mind to overtake. I was on the pointof following him, when my horse stumbled in a hole and threw me over itshead. I quickly recovered my feet and was about to remount, my steedappearing none the worse for its fall, when I saw a huge buffalo dashingup with the intention of tossing me into the air. I had barely time tospring into my saddle and to get a few paces off, when the buffalo'shorns pierced the ground at the very spot where I had been standing. Disappointed at not finding me, he looked about and again lowered hishead to charge. Flight was my only resource; so off I galloped, hopingto get to such a distance from the brute as would allow me time toreload and again to face him. I succeeded better than I expected; andat length, wheeling round my horse who stood stock-still, I fired andbrought the buffalo to the ground. In the meantime the rest of the herdgalloped off followed by the hunters, who were now a long distance away, so far indeed as to make it impossible for me to overtake them. Wellsatisfied with my performance, I cut out the tongue of the last animal Ihad killed and directed my course back to the camp, stopping on my wayto extract the tongues of the two other bisons I had killed. I was soonovertaken by Dick, who had also turned back. He said that the rest ofour party had gone on with the Indians, in pursuit of the herd. 

He regretted that Charley had not returned with us, as he would beovercome with fatigue by so long a ride. We employed ourselves inlighting a fire and getting supper ready for our friends. At lastArmitage and Story came in, but Charley did not make his appearance. 

"He'll return soon, " said Dick. "Let me consider, when did I see himlast? I cannot quite recollect, but I remember that he was following abuffalo; and I had no doubt that he shot the brute, and fully expectedto see him here. "

We waited, but we waited in vain. At last we applied to our Indianfriends, but they were revelling in buffalo meat, and were not disposedto set out in search of Charley; promising, however, to go in themorning should the young pale-face not have returned by that time. 

I am afraid to say how much buffalo meat the savages consumed beforedaybreak, for they sat up nearly all night eating, and had their enemiespounced down upon them they would have made but a poor defence, Isuspect. 

When morning came they excused themselves from going in search ofCharley, saying that they must bring in the buffalo meat they hadkilled. 

We therefore had to set off alone, not a little disgusted at theirbehaviour. We bade them, however, a friendly farewell, saying that thelife of one of our party was more precious to us than all the buffalomeat in the world. We however took with us the tongues and otherportions of the animals we had killed, so that we had abundance ofprovisions which would last us until we could obtain venison or fall inwith another herd of buffalo. 

Though we made diligent search, with the assistance of old Folkard andthe Indians engaged by Armitage, we failed to discover Charley's trail;and we felt more out of spirits when we encamped that evening than wehad done during the whole of our expedition. 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

Several days were spent in a vain search for Charley. Armitage and

Story said they feared that he must either have been killed by abuffalo, and his body devoured by wolves; or that he had been carriedaway by some small party of Indians who had been watching us, and hadcaptured him, though afraid to attack our camp. 

Both Dick and I, however, could not bring ourselves to believe that hewas dead. We were glad to find that old Folkard was of our opinion. Hehad known men, he said, who had wandered away from camp and been absentseveral weeks before they were found or managed to make their way backthemselves. Charley had a good supply of ammunition, and being a fairshot, would be able to procure food. We begged Armitage and Dick toremain in the locality some time longer. This they consented to do. Wewere now in the neighbourhood of the Rocky Mountains, where they mightobtain a variety of sport, so that they had no cause to complain oftheir detention. My thoughts, as well as Dick's, were entirely occupiedby Charley, and we could take no interest in hunting. We, however, didour duty in trying to supply the camp with game. 

The chief part of our time was taken up in scouring the country in thehopes of discovering our young friend, or ascertaining the cause of hisdeath. 

At length the old trapper bade us farewell, saying that he should strikeaway north, to a district where beavers abounded, for he could no longerspend his time in comparative idleness. We were sorry to lose him, forhe was a capital companion, especially round the camp fire, when heindulged us in his quaint way with his numberless adventures andhair-breadth escapes, sufficient to make the hair of my old uncle, theAlderman, stand out from his head. 

Day after day went by. When we met Pierre and the Indians who hadassisted us in the search, the same reply alone was forthcoming. 

"You see, it is hopeless, " said Jack to Dick Buntin. "Your young friendmust have lost his life. I am very sorry, but we must be movingwestward. It won't do to detain Armitage longer. He is verygood-natured, but from what he said to me yesterday, he will be startingaway without us. He requires action. He is not happy, I suspect, fromsomething which took place between him and Ellen Hargrave, so that wemust decide what to do. "

Dick pleaded hard for another day, still persisting in his belief thatwe should find Charley. Our Indian friends had promised should theydiscover any traces of him to send us word, but nothing had been heardfrom them. 

Dick and I had made a longer expedition than usual, and returned sotired, that the next morning we were utterly unable to set out. A day'srest would, however, we thought, restore our strength. Towards theevening, while the remainder of the party were still away, Dick walkedto a shady spot some distance from the camp, taking a large buffalo robeto lie upon, with a book, his pipe and gun. 

One of the Indians who had remained with us, had meantime made up afire. I saw at length by my watch, that it was time to prepare forsupper, and as Dick still acted as cook, I sent the Indian to summonhim. The man had not gone long, when I heard him shout. Fearing thatsomething was the matter, I hurried forward, when what was my dismay tosee a huge grizzly standing on its hind legs, as if about to make itslast fatal spring, close to Dick, who had no weapon in his hand withwhich to defend himself. I had brought my gun, but dared not fire forfear of killing my friend instead of the bear. Dick, however, seemed inno way dismayed, and as I got a little nearer, I saw that he held alarge buffalo robe in both his hands. The Indian and I shouted in thehopes of distracting Bruin's attention. Our cries were responded to byArmitage and Story, who at that moment providentially made theirappearance. Still none of us dared to fire, though we approached nearerand nearer, hoping that the bear would postpone his spring until wecould get near enough to shoot him through the head without injuring ourfriend. Presently the bear growling savagely, indicative of hisintention to seize his victim, began to advance; when Dick, who hadnever for a moment withdrawn his eyes from the monster, in an instantthrew the cloak over its head. He then springing back, ran off as hardas his legs could carry him, his example being imitated by the Indians. The bear in its struggles drew the cloak close over its eyes, when Ifired and over it rolled with its legs in the air. Still it was notdead, and might at any moment be up again; and, more savage than everfrom its wound, would be certain to attack us fiercely. 

Armitage and Story, making their way through the brushwood, had now gotnear enough to fire. They pulled their triggers at the same moment, while I quickly reloaded. It was fortunate that I did so, fornotwithstanding its wounds, the bear, suddenly regaining its feet, madea dash at me who was nearest to it, and in another instant I should havebeen torn by its tremendous claws, when I fired and to my infinitesatisfaction it again rolled over and, giving another convulsivestruggle, lay dead. 

Dick thanked us for our timely assistance, and promised that he wouldnever as long as he lived go to sleep away from the camp in a regioninfested by grizzlies. 

This was the first we had seen for some time, and the adventure was acaution to us to look out for them in future. With great reluctance onthe part of Dick and me, we once more packed up and moved westward;still we did not abandon all hope that we should find our young friend. I, however, had lost the interest I had before felt in hunting, andwould rather have gone back and contented myself with less excitingsport in one of the eastern states. As things turned out, it would havebeen better for all of us had we done so. 

We made a good show as we rode over the prairie, with our baggage mules, our led horses, mounted Indians, our Canadian guide and our four selves;so that no ordinary band of Redskins was likely to attack our party, unless they could take us by surprise, and against that it was ourconstant care effectually to guard by keeping a bright look-out duringthe day, and a careful watch over the camp at night. Our Indians knewvery well that they would be the first victims should we be attacked. 

We were sure, in the neighbourhood of the Rocky Mountains which we hadnow reached, to fall in with big-horns, elks and antelopes, as well asbuffalo in the lower ground. We accordingly encamped in a beautifulspot with the lofty mountains rising above us, while below extended theprairie far away to the horizon. I must not stop to describe ourvarious adventures. Dick continued indifferent to sport, butoccasionally went out with me; while Armitage and Story shot together, and never returned without a big-horn or two, or an elk. One day theyappeared leading or rather dragging along what looked like a mass ofshaggy fur of a tawny colour. As they approached, I saw that theircaptive was a young bear, with its head thoroughly covered up with theskin of another animal of the same description. They were laughingheartily, and every now and then springing forward to avoid the rushesmade at them by the little creature. On finding all its efforts vain, it at length stopped, and refused to move. They told me that they hadshot the mother and then one of her cubs; that the other refusing toleave the body of its parent, they had time to take off the skin fromthe cub they had killed and had adroitly thrown it over the head of itsbrother, and that having a coil of rope they had managed to secure it. We hoped to tame our captive, but the moment the skin was taken off itshead, darting at Jack, it gave him a severe bite in the leg, and nearlytreated Armitage in the same manner, but fortunately he had a thickstick with which he gave the little brute so severe a blow on the nose, that it lay down, as we thought, in the sulks. We managed to tether itin a way effectually to prevent its escape, but the next morning wefound, to our disappointment, that it was dead. The skins of the twoanimals were beautiful, their fur being very thick and long, and of abrown colour, with a stripe of darker hue along the back. 

Next day our friends having again set out, I was endeavouring topersuade Dick to accompany me in another direction, when one of theIndians brought word that a herd of buffalo were feeding in the plainbelow. I should have said that the country was beautiful in theextreme, with thick woods of cedar and rhododendron covering it in alldirections. The forests were, however, easily traversed, as paths weremade through them by the buffalo and elk, who following each other'sfootsteps, had opened up bridle roads to all points of the compass. Feeling ashamed of not adding something to our store of provisions, whenDick declined accompanying me on the plea of not being up to work, Imounted my horse, and set off alone, hoping to shoot a buffalo beforegoing far. I soon came in sight of a couple of herds, one of cows andanother of bulls. Most of the former were followed by calves and wereout of condition, but seeing some fat animals among them, I made chase. When the cows began to run they were joined by the bulls, and the wholeset off together, scampering along at a tremendous rate. I kept the fatcows in sight, however, as away they went. Lightly built and moreactive than the bulls, they took the lead. At length I was getting upwith one of the former which I had singled out, when a big bull, blownby his unusual exercise, halted just between me and the cow, andlowering his head prepared to charge, when his horns would in an instanthave ripped open the breast of my noble steed. As I saw it about tocharge, a thought occurred to me. Holding my gun in my left hand, andgiving my horse the rein, I bestowed a tremendous cut with my heavyriding-whip on his flanks, which made him spring to a height sufficientto have cleared a five-barred gate; and when the bull rushed forward, over its back he went, clearing it in the most beautiful style, hishinder feet just grazing its shaggy hair. The next moment, instead ofbeing rolled over on the ground, I found myself (though without my hat)safe on the other side; while the bull, not knowing what had become ofme, dashed forward bellowing loudly in an opposite direction. A fewmore strides brought me close to the cow, when standing up in mystirrups I fired, and the animal instantly rolled over dead. I at oncereloaded, and made chase after another, which I was also fortunateenough to kill. The rest of the herd made their escape. Satisfied withthe result of my hunt, I dismounted and took possession of the tonguesand marrow-bones, as well as some portions of the meat, intending tosend the Indians back for the remainder, should the carcases haveescaped the scent of the wolves. The buffalo meat was highlyappreciated; indeed we lived like fighting cocks, and had every reasonto expect to do so while we remained in that region. Pierre, however, advised that we should proceed, as some bands of hostile Indians weresure, before long, to find out that we were in the neighbourhood, andwould take an opportunity of cutting us off when separated from eachother should they not venture to attack our camp. Armitage and Jackwere, however, inclined to laugh at Pierre's warnings. Jack too, whofound his leg suffering from the bite that the little bear had givenhim, was disinclined to take a long journey. Dick, who had warned himfrom the first not to neglect the wound, took him under his care andinsisted on his remaining quietly in camp for two or three days until hewas well again. We employed the time in cleaning our arms, repairingour harness and clothes, and performing several other tasks such as thewear and tear of a hunter's life from time to time renders necessary. We had long discussions in camp as to what course we should pursue, Pierre advising that we should strike northward, and then take one ofthe passes through the Rocky Mountains generally followed by theemigrants to California. 

Several days had passed away. Story was quite recovered, and we wereonce more encamped, not much to Pierre's satisfaction, he declaring thatwe were still in a dangerous region, frequently visited by Apaches andother roving tribes, the deadly enemies of the pale-faces. Armitage and

Story only laughed at his warnings, and even Dick felt much inclined toagree with them. 

We had, as before, proceeded in three parties, one of the Indians havingaccompanied Armitage, and Jack and three others going with Pierre, whilethe rest remained with Dick and me in camp. Evening was approaching, and none of our friends had returned. Dick had sent out one of theIndians to see if they were coming, while he and I prepared the supper. In a short time the scout returned with a long face. He had caughtsight, he said, of a large party of strange Redskins; who, not knowingthat they were discovered, were making their way in the direction of ourcamp, evidently endeavouring to keep themselves concealed. He advisedthat we should gallop off on our horses, and leave our baggage and theother animals to their fate, as it would be impossible to defend thecamp against so overwhelming a force. To this neither Dick nor I wasinclined to agree, though of course it made us anxious for the arrivalof our friends, when we hoped, by showing a bold front, to drive backthe enemy. 

We at once brought in our horses and mules, and tethered them in therear of the camp; then calling on our Indians to assist us, we felled acouple of trees, which we placed so as to form a barricade in front. Itwould afford us but a slight protection, but it was better than nothing. 

We now looked out with more anxiety than ever for our friends, for theycertainly ought to have returned to the camp some time before this. Itwas important not to be surprised, and knowing the stealthy way in whichthe savages were likely to approach, we were aware that any moment wemight hear their fearful war-whoops, and find ourselves engaged in adesperate struggle for life. To prevent this, Dick proposed sending outthe Indians to scout and ascertain the exact position of the enemy. They went more willingly than I should have supposed; but I rememberednot being very well satisfied with the expression of their countenances. Dick and I were thus left alone in camp. To save ourselves from beingshot down without warning, we took up our position behind the logs, withthe spare rifles by our sides. Here we sat, expecting every moment thereturn of our Indians. We waited in vain. Darkness was coming on. Ourposition was indeed critical. If the savages, as reported by the scout, were in the neighbourhood, at any moment they might be down upon us. Wenow began to fear that our Indians had fallen into their hands. Perhaps, also, such might have been the fate of our friends. We hadbeen sitting thus for an hour or more, and had become very hungry, whenDick proposed going to the fire to obtain some venison which had lonebeen roasting there. He brought it, and I need not say that it wasdevoured with considerable satisfaction. "Another piece won't do us anyharm, " I observed, as I made my way towards the fire. I was returning, when what was my dismay to see half-a-dozen dark forms leap over thebarricade and place themselves between Dick and me. I sprang towardsour rifles, one of which Dick was in the act of grasping, to have afight for life, when a savage knocking it out of his hand three otherssprang upon him. The remainder throwing themselves upon me, we were inan instant prisoners. I fully expected the next moment to have my scalptaken off my head, and it was some satisfaction to find that it wasallowed to remain on. 

"I hope the other fellows have escaped, " said Dick; "we might, by givinga shout, warn them of their danger; and if Pierre joins them, they mightmanage to get hold of some of the horses. "

As he spoke, he shouted at the top of his voice, and I joined him, crying out--

"Keep away from the camp!"

No reply came. The Indians, instead of trying to stop us, only laughed;and, from the voices we heard around, we knew there must be many more ofthem. 

Having bound our arms behind us, our captors sat themselves down toexamine and consume the food we had provided for the rest of the party, and then proceeded to inspect the contents of our packs. While theywere thus employed, a shout was raised, and shortly after another, whenseveral Indians appeared, dragging Armitage and Jack along with them. 

Still Pierre was at liberty; and we hoped that he might escape and givenotice of our fate, or form some plan for our liberation. Great, therefore, was our disappointment when he too, shortly afterwards, wasbrought into camp. What had become of our Indians we could not tell. They had, we concluded, however, either been captured or deserted us. 

Our captors, after a long consultation, carried us all a short distancefrom the camp to a clump of trees, to the trunks of which they bound usin a way which made it impossible to move either our arms or legs, when, having thus tied us up, they returned to our camp to examine and dividethe spoil. 

"We are in a bad case, I am afraid, " said Armitage; "the savages haveproved themselves more cunning than I had supposed, for they were uponJack and me before we had time to lift our rifles to our shoulders. "

"We might try to bribe them to let us off, " I observed. 

"Very little chance of their doing that; they'll help themselves toeverything we possess, and won't trust to our promises, " said Jack. 

"They have the ugly custom of torturing prisoners before they killthem, " said Dick. "I'm very glad Charley escaped our fate, poor fellowprovided he hasn't met with a worse one. "

I made no remark, though I was thinking all the time of various plans. I was anxious to hear what Pierre would say. 

"Better tell them we English pale-faces, " he observed at last; "dey killus if dey like; but if dey do, our great Queen hunt up every man jack ofdem, and hang dem. "

I was very much inclined to agree with Pierre that our best chance ofescaping was to make the savages understand that we belonged to thepalefaces over the frontier, of whom they might possibly have heard, andthat our Sovereign always punished those who injured her subjects. 

The savages, however, at present, gave us no opportunity of addressingthem; but we could see them unpacking our valises, pulling to pieces outwell-made-up packs, overhauling our cooking utensils, apparentlyappropriating various articles, not, however, without a considerableamount of talking and gesticulation. They then put on our buffalo meatand venison to cook, and began laughing and jeering at us as they ateit. At length they discovered several packages which had before escapedtheir notice, having been hidden in the grass. Among them was a casecontaining brandy; but as we kept it locked, it was some time beforethey managed to break it open with their axes. On finding that itcontained bottles, they raised a shout of joy; and one being forthwithopened by knocking off the neck, the savage who had performed theoperation poured some of the contents down his throat. Uttering a howlof satisfaction, he was about to take a second draught, when anotherseized it, and it was rapidly passed on, until it was empty. Anotherand another bottle was treated in the same way, although the chief ofthe party appeared to be urging his followers to take no more for thepresent; but to this they evidently did not agree; and while his backwas turned, two more bottles were abstracted. On seeing this, he seizedone of them, and poured no small part of the contents down his ownthroat, apparently fearing that his companions would drink it up andleave him none. The result which was to be expected followed; but theyhad swallowed the liquor too rapidly to render them immediatelyhelpless, though it excited their fiercest passions; and to our horror, getting on their legs, they drew their tomahawks and approached us withthe evident intention of taking our lives. Before, however, they hadmade many steps towards us, they sank to the ground; while others--withthe bump of appropriativeness--took possession of all the goods withintheir reach. This was seen by the more sanguinarily disposed of theparty, who turned their rage towards their companions, and, rushing onthem, attempted to retake the articles they considered theirs. Afearful scuffle ensued: some, it appeared to us, were struck dead, ordesperately wounded; but in the uncertain light afforded by the fire wecould not exactly see what had happened. We could only make out thatthe whole party were quickly stretched on the ground, the victors andthe vanquished lying side by side, including the chief, who appeared tobe as helpless as the rest. 

At length their shouts and groans were silenced. Not a sound reachedour ears. Now was our opportunity; but in vain we endeavoured to breakloose from our bonds. The savages had fastened them too securely toenable us to liberate ourselves. Dick made desperate efforts to reachwith his mouth the rope which secured his arms. 

"If I could but once get my teeth to it, I would soon bite it through, "he exclaimed. 

But again and again he tried to no purpose. We all followed hisexample, with the same result. In the morning, the savages would tooprobably recover, and revenge themselves on our heads for the death oftheir companions whom they themselves had killed. Hour after hour wentby, and each brought us nearer to the moment that we must expect afearful death. 

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

We and the savage Redskins were both utterly helpless; they from beingovercome by liquor, we from having our arms firmly bound to the trees. All the efforts we had made to liberate ourselves had only tended todraw more tightly the thongs; while we were left to contemplate thedreadful fate to which we were doomed as soon as the savages hadrecovered from the fumes of the spirits they had swallowed. All sortsof horrible ideas passed through my mind. Should a pack of wolves cometo the camp, they might, helpless as we were, tear us to pieces, as wellas the unconscious Indians. It would be a worse fate than any thesavages might inflict upon us. Scarcely had the idea entered my brain, than the well-known howls and yelps of the animals I dreaded reached myears. Louder and louder they grew. They were approaching the camp. Ina few minutes they would be upon us. It was no fancy of my brain, formy companions heard them also. Darkness prevented us from seeing eachother's countenances; but I could distinguish Dick, who was nearest me, again making efforts to free himself, and he could not help crying outin desperation when he found himself foiled as before. The wolves wereclose upon us, when presently we heard the tramp of a horse's feet, andone of our own animals, which either Armitage or Jack had been riding, and from whose back the Indians had neglected to remove the saddledashed by, closely pursued by a pack of large wolves, who intent on thechase did not regard us. I saw the head of an Indian lifted up for amoment, awakened to partial consciousness by the yelping of the wolvesand the tramp of the horse; but perhaps the savage fancied he wasdreaming, for the next moment his head again sank to the ground. Wewere preserved for the moment, but what would happen should the wolvessucceed in pulling down and devouring the horse? They would, to acertainty, return and attack us, as we had feared; or, even if they didnot, the Indians would be recovering from their debauch. I could onlyhope that they had not consumed all the liquor, and that the first toawaken would take another pull at the bottles. In spite of our fearfulposition, a drowsiness began to steal over me, produced perhaps byexhaustion. I even now do not like to think of those dreadful hours, when my mind dwelt on the various tortures the savages were wont toinflict on their helpless prisoners. I fully expected that arrows wouldbe shot at my limbs while all vital parts were avoided; to have my fleshburnt with hot irons; to be scalped; to suffer the most lingering andpainful of deaths. In vain I tried to banish such thoughts, and toencourage the stupor stealing over me. At length I had almostsucceeded, though I was not really asleep, when I heard a voice whisperin my ear, "Do not move or speak when you find the thongs cut. "

The next instant I was free. The darkness prevented me seeing clearlywhat was happening to my companions, but I could distinguish a figurestealing along the ground, and appearing behind each of them. 

"Now friends! you have your choice, either to cut the throats of theRedskins as they lie, or to catch the horses and put a wide spacebetween them and yourselves before daybreak, " said a voice which Irecognised as that of old Folkard--"don't trust those villains, they maynot be as fast asleep as you fancy. If they hear you moving they may beon their feet again before you have had time to pass your knives acrosstheir throats. "

"Savages as they are, I would not for one moment dream of killing them, whatever they intended to do to us, " said Jack. 

Armitage and Story agreed with him, as did I. We therefore at onceresolved to steal off as soon as we had recovered our rifles, the onlyweapons of which we had been deprived; and though they were close towhere our captors were sleeping, they might easily be reached. Our planwas then to try and get hold of our horses, and when they were securedwe might recover the remainder of our property and deprive the Indiansof their arms. We should thus teach them a lesson of mercy; for whenthey recovered their senses they could not fail to see how completelythey had been in our power, and that we might have put the whole of themto death had we been so disposed. 

The old trapper volunteered to manage the most dangerous part of theundertaking, that of recovering our rifles. Telling us to remain wherewe were, apparently still bound to the trees, he crept forward on handsand knees, disappearing in the surrounding gloom. Not a sound did wehear until he came back, carrying in either hand a rifle, which heplaced at our feet. He then made a second trip, which was as successfulas the first; but the Indians' spears and several of our spare rifleshad still to be obtained. He went very cautiously to work, for he wasevidently not at all confident that one of the Indians might not awake. I would gladly have assisted him, had he not urged us to remain quiet. I felt greatly relieved when he at length returned with the last rifles. 

"But we want our saddles!" whispered Dick. 

I told Folkard where to find them. 

"You shall have them, " he answered, and again set off. I much fearedthat he might be discovered, as he would have to go into the campitself, and the slightest sound might awaken our enemies. 

We waited and waited: again I felt a strong inclination to steal forwardand assist him. Just as I was about to do so, he reappeared bringingtwo saddles and bridles. 

Still it was of consequence, if we could manage it, to possess ourselvesof the Indians' bows and spears. I again offered to accompany thetrapper. He thought a moment. 

"It may be done, " he said, "if you step cautiously, for they are moresoundly asleep than I had supposed; but, if any of them should awake, you must be prepared to knock them on the head--our own safety willdemand it. "

I agreed to this, hoping that the contingency might not arrive. We setout and soon reached the camp. So sound asleep did they appear, that Ibelieve even had we trodden on them, they could not have been aroused. They lay where they had fallen in their drunken fits, in every varietyof attitude. We each possessed ourselves of two tomahawks for ourdefence, and all the bows we could find; and, carrying them under ourarms, returned to our companions. Folkard immediately cut the stringsand broke off the ends of the bows. We had thus far been moresuccessful than we had anticipated. 

We now, having recovered our weapons and two saddles, --for the Indianshad left the others on the backs of the horses, --glided behind the treesto which we had been bound, and stole off, cautiously following thefootsteps of old Folkard, who led the way. 

"I left my horse down in the hollow yonder, " said the trapper; "we willget him first, and then I'll try and help catch yours; they are not faroff I suspect. It will be daylight soon, and we have no time to lose. "

Several more minutes were spent before we reached the spot where oldFolkard's horse was securely tethered. He having mounted, we set out insearch of our own steeds. 

"It is just possible that the Indians may have left one of their numberto watch their horses as well as ours, and if so, it will be necessaryto either capture or kill the man, " said Dick. 

Unwilling as we were to put to death any of our savage enemies, even inour own defence, we saw the necessity of doing as Dick proposed. 

Greatly to our satisfaction, as we approached a glade, the whinny of ahorse was heard, and Armitage's favourite steed came trotting up to him. We immediately put on its saddle and bridle. Pierre's and mine werestill wanting. His had probably been torn to pieces by the wolves, butwe still had a chance of getting mine. I was almost in despair, when tomy joy it came up, and I was quickly on its back. Pierre was veryunhappy at delaying us. 

At length old Folkard observed--

"Jump up behind me, we'll soon catch a horse for you; the Indians had alot of animals with them, and we'll take one of theirs if we can't findyours. "

By this time morning had dawned, and we had no longer any fear ofencountering our enemies. We rode on to where old Folkard told us heexpected to find the horses. 

Surmounting a slight elevation, we soon caught sight of a score ofanimals, evidently those of the Indians. To catch them was no easymatter, for just at the moment we appeared they seemed to be seized by asudden panic, and began prancing and rearing in the strangest fashion. We dashed forward, and, as they saw us coming, off they started acrossthe prairie at a rate which would have rendered pursuit utterlyhopeless. 

We had now to settle what course to pursue. Should we return to thecamp and take possession of our property, or put as many miles as wecould between ourselves and the Indians?

On calculating, however, the quantity of liquor among our stores, wearrived at the conclusion that there was enough to keep the Indiansdrunk for another day or two, and that we should probably find them ashelpless as before. We accordingly kept our rifles ready for instantservice, and rode towards our camp. On our way we found our mules, which according to their usual custom had not mixed with the horses. Pierre mounted one of them, and led the rest. The loud snores andperfect silence around where the Indians lay showed us that they had notrecovered from their debauch. While two of our party stood guard, readyto deal with any who might come to their senses, the rest of us loadedthe mules with our goods, including two remaining bottles of spirits. 

Folkard proposed leaving these to prevent the enemy from pursuing us. "There is no fear of their doing that, for they have neither horses norarms, " observed Dick. "They may consider themselves fortunate inescaping with their lives. " We could scarcely help laughing at thethought of their astonishment when, on coming to themselves, they shouldfind how completely the tables had been turned: we hoped they would dulyappreciate the mercy shown to them. We now rode off, thankful for thehappy termination of our adventure. 

We found that the old trapper had been very successful and wished toturn his steps eastward. 

"I should be glad of your company, friends, " he said, "in the firstplace; and in the second I don't think it would be safe for you toremain in this region, as the rest of the tribe may consider themselvesinsulted, and, ungrateful for the mercy shown their people, mayendeavour to cut you off. When the Redskins have made up their minds todo a thing, they'll do it if they can, however long they may have towait. "

We all agreed that, although not frightened by the Indians, we had hadenough of fighting and hunting for the present. We accordingly made upour minds to accompany old Folkard. We felt that, in gratitude to himfor having preserved our lives, we were bound to do as he wished. 

Having reached the spot where he had left his mules with his traps andpeltries, we turned our horses' heads eastward. As we rode along hetold us that he had come upon our trail, and that soon afterwards he hadfallen in with one which he knew must be made by an Indian war-party, and feeling sure that they intended us mischief he had followed them up. He had scarcely expected, however, to find us still alive; but havingstolen up to the camp, he saw the state to which our liquor hadfortunately reduced our captors, and had at once formed the plan forliberating us so happily carried out. One of Dick's first questions wasabout Charley. The old trapper replied that he had failed to hear ofhim; but he still held out hopes that our friend might have escaped, andthat some well-disposed Indians might have spared his life, and takencare of him, hoping to induce him to join their tribe, according to a byno means unusual custom among them. 

This idea somewhat cheered up the worthy lieutenant's spirits, and madehim unwilling to return eastward; still, as he could not remain byhimself, he agreed to accompany us. The journey appeared very long. For the first few days we pushed forward to get beyond the reach of theIndians, in case they should fall in with any of their tribe and ventureto pursue us. After this we were compelled, for the sake of our horses, to make more easy stages. We had also to halt for the purpose ofproviding ourselves with meat; but as we shot only for the pot, thatcaused us no great delay. 

At last we reached Saint Louis, where we spent several months enjoyingthe hospitality of numerous friends to whom we had letters ofintroduction. For a time we were looked upon as heroes on a small scaleby society; but probably the hunters and trappers who frequent that citywould have considered our adventures as every-day occurrences andscarcely worth talking about. 

Old Folkard, having disposed of his peltries, and obtained new traps anda fresh outfit, started westward in the course of a fortnight, declaringthat he could not breathe among the bricks and mortar. He promised thathe would not fail to look out for Charley, for whose recovery, however, even Dick, by this time, had begun to despair. We were beginning to geta little tired of civilised ways and to sigh for the wild life of theprairie, when Armitage received a letter calling him to New York to meetan agent. 

"I should like to continue the expedition I began with you, " he said, "and I shall esteem it a favour if you will wait for my return; I shallnot be longer than I can help. "

His request, made in so courteous a way, was not to be refused. We allconsented to stop. Week after week went by, and Armitage was stilldelayed; but as we had remained so long, we agreed to wait until hereturned, though our stay was double the length we intended. We wereemployed in adding to our outfit such articles as, from our experience, we considered useful. At length Armitage rejoined us, and we were oncemore _en route_. From the way his Indians had behaved when it came to apinch, he had resolved to take no more. Besides Pierre, who wasaccompanied by another Canadian, we had a Yankee trapper yclept "LongSam, " who, according to his own showing, was likely to prove of far morevalue than half-a-dozen Indians. He was ready for anything--to hunt onhorseback, to shoot on foot, or to trap beavers. We had been travellingon some time when Armitage began to talk of Tillydrone, and suggestedthat, as it was not far out of our way, it would be but courteous to paya visit there and inquire after the family who had treated us sohospitably. He said not a word, however, about Miss Hargrave, nor fromthe tone of his voice would anyone have suspected that he was thinkingof her. 

When Long Sam heard us mention the place, he exclaimed--

"Why, that's wha'r Praeger used to live, and it was burnt with mightynear the whole of the property when the forest caught fire last fall, though he and his family escaped. I heard say that they were going tomove westward, and they must be on their journey by this time, I guess. "

Armitage questioned and cross-questioned his informant, and seemedperfectly satisfied with his statement. After this he expressed nofurther wish to visit Tillydrone. 

We had been travelling on for more than a month, when we once more foundourselves among the wild and grand scenery in the neighbourhood of theRocky Mountains. We encamped not far from a spot we had beforeoccupied, where we knew an abundance of game was to be found. This timewe had determined that nothing should turn us back until the westerncoast was reached. We were now enabled to detect the trails of animalsas well as of men, an art indeed in which Pierre and Sam were equal tothe Indians themselves. As we had camped pretty early, we started indifferent directions, hoping to bring in a good supply of meat, of whichour consumption was considerable, Long Sam declaring when really hungry, that he could eat half a buffalo at a sitting--I wonder he didn't say awhole one. We had espied some big-horns on the rocky heights in thedistance, and were making our way towards them, when Sam exclaimed--

"A white man has passed this way, though those are the marks ofmoccasins, but no Indian treads in that fashion. "

I agreed with him, and soon afterwards we came upon a pool out of whicha stream ran to the eastward. Sam was not long before he ferreted outseveral beaver-traps, and, examining one of them, pronounced it of thebest make, and belonging to a white trapper. Of course we allowed it toremain unchanged. We thought of old Folkard, but scarcely expected tofall in with him again. We were making our way through a wood, along aridge with a valley below us, when, looking through a gap in the trees, I caught sight of two persons, the one seated, supporting the head ofanother, who was stretched on the ground on his knees. Though I was toofar off to distinguish their features, I saw by the dress of one that hewas a trapper, but could not make out the other. On coming nearer, however, I recognised old Folkard; but who was the other? His cheekswere hollow, his countenance haggard, and, though sunburnt, showed noneof the hue of health. A second glance, however, convinced me that hewas Charley Fielding. The old hunter was engaged in giving him somefood, treating him as he would a helpless child. They both recognisedme, and Charley's eye brightened as he stretched out his hand to welcomeme while I knelt by his side. 

"Where have you been? How did you come here?" I asked eagerly. 

"Don't trouble him with questions, " said the old trapper; "he'll answeryou better when he's had some broth. I found him not long since prettywell at his last gasp. I guess he has got away from some Redskins. Ialways said he was carried off by them. If I am right they are notlikely to be far away. We must be on the look-out not to be caught bythem. "

Charley, though unable to speak, showed by the expression of hiscountenance that the old trapper had truly conjectured what hadhappened. 

We naturally, forgetting all about the big-horns, thought only of how wecould best convey Charley to the camp. As we had come over someexcessively rough ground, it would be no easy matter to get him there. 

"Then go back to your friends, and get them to move camp up here, " saidthe trapper; "by keeping along the lower ground, they can be herequickly, and it's a more secure spot, I guess, than where they are. "

I asked Long Sam, who now came up, to go back with a message to ourfriends, as I was unwilling to leave Charley. This he agreed to do, andFolkard was glad to have me remain. The food quickly revived Charley, when Folkard went off to fetch some water from a neighbouring spring. We then together carried him to the trapper's camp, which was not manypaces off, though so securely hidden that even an Indian's eye couldscarcely have detected it. 

This done, I looked out anxiously for the arrival of our friends. Theshades of evening were already extending far away over the lower ground. 

"They'll surely come!" I said to myself. Presently I caught sight ofour party, and shouted to them to come on. 

Poor Dick burst into tears when he saw Charley, partly from joy athaving found him, and partly from pity at his condition. 

It was some time before Charley could speak. The first use he made ofhis returning strength, was to tell us that he had been captured byIndians, and kept a prisoner ever since, --exactly as old Folkard hadsupposed; that he was not as badly treated as he expected, but sostrictly watched, that in spite of all the attempts he had made, hecould not effect his escape until two days before, when he found that awar-party was about to set off to attack an emigrant train comingwestward, of which they had just gained tidings. While the braves wereperforming their war-dance to the admiration of the squaws, he hadmanaged to slip out of camp unperceived, his intention being to warn thewhite men of their danger. The train had been encamped some days, andit was not known how soon they would move forward. He had hopedtherefore to be in time, as the Indians would not venture to attack themwhile they remained stationary. 

On hearing this we were all eager to set out to the rescue of the whitepeople. Armitage especially was unusually excited, but to move at thattime of night, with our horses already tired, the country also being ofa somewhat rough description, was scarcely possible. Old Folkard, aswell as Pierre and Long Sam, was of opinion that we should gain time bywaiting, as we might otherwise lose our way, or lame our animals overthe rocky tract we should have to pass. We arranged therefore to waitfor daylight, and it was settled that the Canadian should remain withthe old trapper to assist him in taking care of Charley, and lookingafter our baggage mules and spare horses. The greater part of the nightwas spent in cleaning our rifles and pistols, as we expected to have usefor them should we find that the emigrant train had moved on, and thatthe Indians had kept up their intention of attacking it. We breakfastedbefore dawn so that we might ride if necessary several hours withoutfood, and might be some distance on our way before the first streaks ofthe coming day should appear in the sky. 

Pierre and Long Sam, after a consultation, undertook to guide us, sothat we might fall in with the usual track followed by emigrants, ashort distance only to the northward of the place where we wereencamped. We felt somewhat anxious about leaving Charley in his presentstate, with so slender a guard. 

"Do not trouble yourselves about that, " observed the old trapper. "I'llkeep a good look-out, and no Redskins are likely to come this way. "

As we rode on and daylight increased, we looked out eagerly for anysmoke which might indicate a camp fire, but not the slightest wreathdimmed the clear sky. Pierre and Long Sam both agreed that we were notfar from the high road, and that we must soon come upon the track of thetrain if it had passed. Not a quarter-of-an-hour after this, we saw--not a fire burning--but the remains of several, and all the signs of atrain having halted on the spot. We hastily rode over the ground, whenArmitage, suddenly leaping from his horse, picked up a small objectwhich he intently examined. It was a lady's glove, such as the usualtravellers by emigrant trains are not wont to wear. He placed it in hispocket. 

"On, friends, on!" he cried; "if Charley's information is correct wehave not a moment to lose. Already the work of plunder and murder mayhave begun. "

We needed no further incitement to make us urge on our steeds. Armitageand Long Sam, who were the best mounted of our party, leading, thelatter being our guide. The country was wooded so that we could not seefar ahead. Suddenly our guide turned to the left. 

"We will take a short cut for the waggons. The road makes a bend here, "he observed. "Maybe we shall find ourselves in front of the train. NoRedskins will venture to attack it when they see us. "

No sounds had hitherto reached our ears, but presently a shot was heardfrom a short distance off, then another and another. 

"On, on!" cried Armitage, and in a few minutes, through an opening inthe forest, we caught sight of a large band of Indians rapidlydescending the hill, while nearer to us there came the leading waggon ofan emigrant train, the drivers of which were endeavouring to turn backtheir cattle as probably those following were attempting to do. 

From the shrieks and cries which arose, it seemed too likely that theRedskins had already attacked the travellers, and we knew well whatquick work they would make of it should they have gained any advantage;so, digging spurs into our horses' flanks, we passed round the head ofthe train, and uttering a loud cheer as we did so to encourage theemigrants, we rode full tilt at the savages. 

CHAPTER NINE. 

As we rode round the head of the train, we saw to our sorrow that theRedskins had already fought their way to two of the centre waggons, thewhite men belonging to which were engaged in a fierce fight with them. Armitage took an anxious glance at the occupants of the leading waggon. 

"Who commands this train?" he asked eagerly of one of the drivers. 

The man, owing to the war-whoops of the savages, the shrieks of thewomen, and the shouts of his companion, did not perhaps hear thequestion, and there was no time to repeat it as we swooped by. Alreadyit appeared to us that the work of murder had commenced. Two or threeof the people lay on the ground, and while part of the Indians werefighting, some were engaged in attempting to drag off the femaleoccupants of the waggon. To prevent them succeeding in their desperateattempt was our first object. Leaving the Indians we had intended tocharge, we turned our horses and dashed forward towards the point whereour services were most required. The savages saw us coming, and most ofthem leaving the waggon, some leapt on their horses, while othersattempted to defend themselves on foot. Firing a volley from our rifleswhich brought several to the ground, we rushed at our foes. Just then Isaw, to my horror, an Indian, who by his dress appeared to be a chief, dragging off a female, a fair girl she seemed, whom he lifted on hishorse. In vain she struggled to free herself. He was mounted on apowerful animal which he evidently had under perfect command. Shoutingto his followers he galloped off, while they stood their ground boldly. We dashed at them pistoling some and cutting down others; but not untilhalf their number lay dead on the ground or desperately wounded did theyattempt to escape; by which time the main body were almost up to us. Leaving the first to be dealt with by the emigrants who had rallied, wereloaded our rifles and charged the larger party of the enemy. Theyreceived us with a shower of arrows, by which, wonderful as it seemed, none of us were wounded. The odds, however, were fearfully against us;for the Indians fought bravely, and rapidly wheeling their horsesattacked us now in front, now on our flanks, and we had to turn everyinstant to defend ourselves. Several of their number had been shot. Dick and Armitage were wounded, and Pierre's horse was killed. It waswith the greatest difficulty that we defended him until he managed tomake his escape towards the waggons. I shouted to him to send some ofthe men to our assistance. We in the meantime having fired our riflesand pistols had our swords alone to depend upon. They served us well, and the Indians, as we approached, evidently showed their dread of themby endeavouring to get out of their reach as we flashed them round ourheads. Still, numbers might prevail, unless we could speedily compelthe Indians to take to flight. 

In the meantime, what had become of the female I had seen carried off!I could not tell whether Armitage or the rest had witnessed theoccurrence; but, whether or not, it would be impossible to attempt herrescue until we had defeated our present opponents. If we could haveretreated even to a short distance to reload our firearms, we would havedone so, but our agile foes gave us no time. I scarcely even dared tolook round to ascertain if any help was coming; probably the emigrantshad enough to do in keeping in check other parties of Indians who werethreatening them. The fight had not continued many minutes, though itseemed to me as many hours, when an Indian charged at Armitage with along spear, the weapon pierced his side, and over rolled horse and man. Another savage was coming on to repeat the blow, when Long Sam, dashingup, cut down the first savage, and then engaged the second. Our friend, notwithstanding, would speedily have been killed, had we not ralliedround him and kept the enemy at bay; while, although evidently muchhurt, he managed to regain his feet. 

Now deprived of two of our number, and having to defend Armitage as wellas ourselves, we were nearly overpowered. At any moment another of usmight be wounded. The Indians, seeing their advantage, retreated to ashort distance, in order to make another fierce charge, the result ofwhich would very probably have been our overthrow, when we heard a loudshout raised in our rear, and presently, with a wild war-cry of "Erin gobragh, " a strange figure dashed by us, mounted on a powerful horse, witha target on one arm, and a broadsword flashing in his right hand. Several arrows were shot at him, but he caught them on his target, anddashed on unharmed. The first Indian he attacked bit the dust; anothermade at him, the head of whose spear he lopped off with a single blow, and he then clove his opponent from the crown of the head to the neck. On seeing this, the Indians, crying out to each other, turned theirhorses' heads and attempted to escape. 

Their flight was expedited by several of the emigrants who, brought upby Pierre, fired a volley at them as they retreated. On looking at theold warrior who had come so opportunely to our aid, what was my surpriseto recognise Ben Folkard. 

The diversion thus made in our favour, had enabled the emigrants to formtheir waggons into a square, so as to be able to repel any furtherattacks of the Indians, who showed no disposition however to come on. Our first care was to commit Armitage--the most severely wounded of ourparty--to the charge of Pierre and the emigrants who had accompaniedhim. Lifting him up between them, they carried him to the waggons. 

"I'm main sure that Mr Praeger will be grateful to the gentlemen, " Iheard one of the men say. 

As the man uttered the name, the thought flashed across me, "Could ithave been one of his daughters, or Miss Hargrave, I had seen carriedoff? Poor Armitage, how fearful would be his feelings should he findthat his Ellen had disappeared. As soon as I could, I turned to the oldtrapper and anxiously inquired what had become of Charley. "

"I left him in safe keeping, " he answered, "but, finding from acompanion of mine who rejoined me after you had gone that the Indianswere about to attack the train in greater force than I had at firstsupposed, I resolved to come to your assistance. "

"You did well, " observed Dick, who came up while he was speaking. "Hadit not been for your arrival, I suspect that one and all of us wouldhave gone down, for those rascals pressed us hard. "

We had been proceeding towards a height which commanded a view in thedirection our late opponents were supposed to have taken, and we werethankful to see them moving off, forming a more numerous body than wehad at first supposed. We accounted for this by concluding that, whileone portion of the savages attacked the train, the others had remainedconcealed to act as a reserve should the first not succeed. What hadbecome of the female I had seen carried off, we could not ascertain. Wecould nowhere distinguish her, but she might easily have been concealedfrom our sight if she were among the leading Indians. 

Our party, however, was too small to pursue the fugitives, with anychance of recovering her. On reaching the camp formed by the train, weat once repaired to Mr Praeger's waggon. We found him and his familyalmost overcome with grief and anxiety. Two of his sons were severelywounded, and Miss Hargrave had disappeared. My worst fears wererealised. She must have been the person I had seen carried off by theIndian chief. 

No one was certain as to the direction her captor had taken, for hisfollowers immediately surrounded him, and they had retreated together. Three men of the emigrant party had been killed, and half a dozen moreor less wounded. They were full of gratitude to us for coming to theirassistance; for they acknowledged, surprised as they had been, thatevery one of them might have been massacred had we not attacked thesavages. We on our part had to thank the trapper for his assistance. When, however, we looked round for him, he had disappeared, and some ofthe people said they had seen him galloping back in the direction fromwhich he had come. We guessed therefore that he had returned to takecare of our friend Charley. Poor Armitage had been placed in one of thewaggons, and a surgeon who had accompanied the train was attending tohis wounds. He had not been told of what had happened to Miss Hargrave. 

We had now to consider what was next to be done. Of course we allagreed that the first thing was to endeavour to recover the young lady. The leaders of the train, in consequence of having so many wounded amongthem, resolved to remain encamped where they were, as the neighbourhoodafforded wood and water, with abundance of game, and they felt prettyconfident that the Indians would not again venture to attack them. Pierre and Long Sam at once volunteered to visit old Folkard's camp, andto assist in bringing on Charley, should he, as we hoped would be thecase, be in a fit state to be moved. They also promised to consult thetrapper, as his experience would be of value in forming a plan for therecovery of the young lady: that she had been killed, we none of uscould bring ourselves to believe. 

All hands were now employed in strengthening the camp, --Dick, Story, andI, assisted our friends, working as hard as any one. We were of usealso in attending to poor Armitage. I was afraid every moment that hewould inquire for Miss Hargrave, for he would naturally wonder that shehad not appeared. 

As may be supposed, we kept a very strict watch at night, while all themen lay down with their arms by their sides under the waggons, with thecattle placed in the centre of the square; but no Indians, we believed, came near us. 

As the morning advanced, I looked out eagerly for the arrival ofCharley. We were anxious to place him under the protection of ourfriends, and until Pierre and Long Sam came, we could take no steps forthe recovery of Miss Hargrave. We talked the subject over with MrPraeger, who was naturally too much agitated to be able with sufficientcalmness to design any feasible plan of operation. 

At length, greatly to our relief, soon after mid-day Pierre and Long Samappeared with two other men, carrying Charley on a litter; while oldFolkard and another trapper followed, leading the horses and ladenmules. Charley was much revived, and declared that he could have walkedhad his companions allowed him; but when he came to be placed on hisfeet, it was very evident that he could not have proceeded many yards byhimself. 

No time was lost in holding a council round the camp fire, while the newarrivals ate the dinner provided for them. Old Folkard advised that weshould in the first place examine the neighbourhood of the camp, inorder to try and discover the trail of Miss Hargrave's captor, for LongSam was of opinion that, though he might have been accompanied by a fewof his braves, he had not gone off with the larger body of Redskins. Charley, who listened attentively to all that was said, agreed with LongSam; and, as he had been so long amongst the tribe, his opinion was ofvalue. He was certain that it was only a chief who was likely to havecommitted such an act, probably the younger brother of the head chief;who, Charley said, had frequently talked to him of the beauty of thepale faced women, and of his intention of obtaining one of them for hiswife. This had always greatly angered his elder brother, who haddeclared, should he bring a pale-face to their lodges, that he should beturned out of the tribe, and that she should be put to death. Charleywas certain, therefore, that Black Eagle--so the chief was called--wouldnot return to his people; and that, should we be able to discover histrail, we should find him protected with only a small band, with whom itwould not be difficult to deal. 

The first thing was to discover the trail, and Folkard, Long Sam, andPierre set out for the purpose. We, in the meantime, were engaged inorganising the pursuing party, if so I may call it. Dick, thoughwounded, made light of the matter, and insisted on going. Folkard hadoffered to take all his people. Besides Story and I, we had Pierre, andLong Sam, the Canadian, and two other men; making altogether awell-armed party of twelve, mostly experienced hunters and backwoodsmen, accustomed all their lives to encounters with the red men. 

Long Sam, who in his wanderings in South America had learned the use ofthe lasso, never went on an expedition without carrying a long coil ofrope at his saddle bow; which he used, not only for catching horses, butfor stopping the career of a wounded buffalo or deer; and he had, heasserted, made captives at different times of several Indians by whom hehad been attacked, when they, approaching within the radius of his longline, were surprised to find themselves jerked to the ground and draggedalong at a rate which rendered all resistance useless. 

It was late in the evening when the three trappers returned. They haddiscovered a trail made by a small party, though they had been unable todecide whether it was that which had carried off the lady, until LongSam, observing an object glittering on the ground, had, on picking itup, found it to be a golden locket, such as was not likely to havebelonged to an Indian. On showing it to Mr Praeger and his family, they at once recognised it as having been worn by Miss Hargrave, thusleaving us in no doubt on the subject. 

It was too late that night to follow up the trail, though every momentwas precious. We had to wait therefore, until about three hours beforedawn; when, mounting our steeds, we rode forward under the guidance ofold Folkard, expecting at daybreak to reach the spot where the lockethad been found. We agreed to breakfast there, and then to follow up thetrail as soon as there was sufficient light to see it. 

We carried out our plan, and the rising sun saw us pushing eagerlyforward, the trail being sufficiently marked to enable the practicaleyes of our guides to detect it. 

To our surprise, instead of keeping to the right, as both old Folkardand Long Sam expected, it turned suddenly to the left, in the directionthe main body had taken. 

"There's a reason for this, " observed Folkard, after we had ridden someway. "See, there was a message sent by the head chief to Black Eagle. Look, there is the trail of his horse, but whether the young chiefjoined the main body we shall know by and by. "

This information was a great disappointment, as it would render ourenterprise far more difficult, for we should now have the whole tribe todeal with instead of a small party as we expected. 

We were not to be deterred, however, and rode forward as rapidly as thenecessary examination of the trail would allow. At last we had to haltand rest our horses, but we refrained from lighting a fire and ate ourprovisions cold. 

As soon as possible we again pushed forward, but darkness coming on wehad again to camp. Of course we did not light a fire, lest, should ourenemies be in the neighbourhood, they might discover us. 

Our faithful attendants kept watch, insisting that Story and I shouldlie down and take the rest we so greatly needed. 

Next morning, instead of riding on together, Long Sam undertook to scoutin advance, that we might not come suddenly upon the enemy, who it wasbelieved could not be far ahead. We were passing round a wood whenpresently we heard a shout, and directly afterwards caught sight of LongSam galloping towards us followed by an Indian--evidently a chief, fromhis war plumes and gaily bedecked shield, --but as we got nearer we sawthat a rope was round the Indian's body, and that he was attempting tofree himself from it. He was on the point of drawing his knife when, bya sudden jerk, Long Sam brought him to the ground. 

Folkard and Pierre, throwing themselves from their horses, rushedforward to seize him before he had regained his feet. Pierre, with hisknife in his hand, was about to plunge it into the heart of the Indian;but I shouted out to him to desist, and Long Sam drawing tight thelasso, the next instant dragged the Indian clear of his frightenedsteed, which galloped off leaving him utterly helpless. Springing uponhim, we then secured his arms by some leathern thongs, and removed thelasso from round his body. 

"He is Black Eagle, no doubt about that, " cried old Folkard. "What haveyou done with the lady you carried off?" he added in the Indian tongue. 

The prisoner refused to reply. 

"If the chief will tell us what we want to know, he shall live; but, ifnot, he must be prepared to die, " said Long Sam. 

An expression of irresolution passed over the Indian's countenance. 

"I would that I could tell the pale-faces where she is to be found, butshe has been taken from me; though, if they will restore me to liberty, I will endeavour to find her, " he said at length. 

"If the chief speaks the truth, he will find the palefaces willing togrant him any favour he may ask, " said Long Sam; then, turning to us, headded, "We must not trust the rascal. Though decked with fine feathershe has a cowardly heart, I suspect. We'll keep him bound and take himwith us. If he plays us false, knock him on the head without scruple;that's my advice. We must not let his horse escape, however; wait herewhile I catch the animal. "

Saying this, Long Sam threw himself into the saddle, and taking hislasso which he had again coiled up, started off in the direction theIndian's horse had taken. In a shorter time than I had expected, hereturned leading the animal by the lasso which he had thrown over itsneck, and whenever it became restive, a sudden jerk quickly brought itagain under subjection. 

"Of course, it won't do to put the Redskin on his own horse, or he maybe giving us the slip. He shall have mine, " said Long Sam, "and old`Knotty' will stick by us, even if Mr Black Eagle should try and gallopoff. "

We now, by means of the three hunters, endeavoured to obtain all theinformation we could from our captive. 

He acknowledged that he had carried off the palefaced girl, and that heintended to make her his bride; but that he had been inveigled into thecamp of his people, when she had been taken from him; and that, when hecomplained, he had been turned away to seek his own fortunes. 

As we had no reason to doubt his word we asked him to guide us towherever his people were now encamped, making him promise to warn us aswe drew near the spot so that we might not be taken by surprise. Wekept a bright look out on Black Eagle, Long Sam hinting gently that, should he show any treachery, he would be immediately shot through thehead. The warning was not lost upon our friend. We rode on and on, until the sun sinking in the west showed us that we must again camp. 

Black Eagle informed us that we should probably not reach his peopleuntil late on the following day. We had therefore to restrain ouranxiety, and trust to his assurances that there were no Indians in theneighbourhood. We lighted a fire to cook a deer which Long Sam had shotjust before we reached the camp. 

We were seated round the fire enjoying our suppers, the firstsatisfactory meal we had taken since we started, when the well-known cryof a pack of wolves reached our ears. From the yelps and barks whichthey continued to utter in full chorus, we knew that they were in chaseof some unfortunate animal which they hoped to drag to the ground. 

The sounds grew nearer and nearer, but as the spot where we wereencamped was surrounded with rocks and trees we could not see to anydistance. At last Dick jumped up, saying he must have a look at thewolves and the animal they were chasing. Story and I quickly followed. 

"They are not worth powder and shot, " observed Long Sam, butnotwithstanding he came after us, as did indeed the whole party. 

Just then the moon rose behind the cliffs, shedding a bright light overthe rocky ground which surrounded the spot. From where we stood, wecould see an animal, apparently a horse, dashing on at full speed with asavage pack of llovo wolves close at its heels. The next instant, as itcame bounding on over the rocks, what was our horror to observe a femaleform lashed to its back. 

To stop it in its mad career seemed impossible. The only hope was toshoot some of the wolves, and thus give a better chance for the escapeof the horse. As I fired, I heard several other shots, and saw thatmost of the brutes, already at the horse's heels, were rolled over. Still the condition of the female was perilous in the extreme. Unlesswe could catch our own horses, and overtake the affrighted steed, herdestruction appeared inevitable. Scarcely had this thought flashedacross my mind, when I saw Long Sam, who had thrown himself onhorseback, galloping along with his lasso to intercept the runaway. 

I ran as I had never run before, regardless of the wolves, in the samedirection. As I passed by I saw that the pack had stopped and werealready engaged in tearing to pieces the brutes we had shot. In aninstant afterwards, it seemed, I observed Long Sam's lasso cast withunerring aim over the neck of the frantic steed, which plunged andreared, but happily did not fall over. In another moment Sam had drawnthe lasso so tightly round its neck that it was unable to move. 

We sprang forward, cut the thongs which bound the female to the animal'sback, and lifting her to the ground, carried her out of danger. Shestill breathed, though apparently perfectly unconscious. The light ofthe moon showed us the features of Ellen Hargrave. 

We did not stop to see what Long Sam did with the captured horse, but atonce carried the young lady to the camp, when, by sprinkling her facewith water and bathing her hands, she in a short time was restored toconsciousness. 

Her first impulse was to return thanks to heaven for her preservation. Looking up he recognised Dick and me. 

"Where is Harry? Where is Mr Armitage?" she asked, evidentlyconcluding that he must be of our party. 

Dick replied that he was safe in the camp with her friends; that we hadbeaten the savages who had attacked them, and, finding that she had beencarried off, had come in search of her. Though we did not inquire howshe had been treated in the Indian camp, she without hesitation told usthat Black Eagle had been compelled to release her by his superiorchief; when, having been kept in a wigwam by herself for some hours, shehad been bound to a horse, which being led away from the camp had beendriven out into the wilds. She was fully prepared, she said, for alingering death, but still she prayed that she might be preserved. Allhope however had gone when she heard in the distance the howls of thewolves, and the horse sprang forward on its mad career over the rockyground. "The rest you know, " she added. "I would thankfully forgetthose fearful moments. "

I must make a long story short. Miss Hargrave appeared much recoveredafter a night's rest in the hut we built for her, and the next morningwe formed a litter on which we carried her a day's journey; but on thefollowing morning she insisted on mounting one of the horses, and, aside-saddle being prepared, she performed the rest of the distance tocamp with out apparent suffering. 

I need not say that she was received by her relatives as one returnedfrom the dead, while they expressed their gratitude to us by every meansin their power. Armitage, they stated, had been in a very precariousstate, but he revived on seeing Miss Hargrave, and quickly regained hisstrength. We allowed the Black Eagle to go free with his horse andarms, he promising, in return for the merciful treatment he hadreceived, that he would in future be the friend of the pale-faces. Thewounded men having now recovered sufficiently to travel, camp wasstruck, and the train continued its course westward. 

We, of course, felt ourselves in honour bound to escort our friends ontheir way; and, although we at first talked of leaving them as soon asall fear of an attack from the Indians had passed, we continued on fromday to day. 

Before the journey was over, it was generally known that Armitage was tomarry Miss Hargrave, while Dick and Story, though supposed to beconfirmed bachelors, lost their hearts to the two youngest MissPraegers; and a very pleasant wedding it was which took place soon afterour arrival at Mr Praeger's new location. We frequently afterwards metin old England, where my friends took their wives, and many a long yarnwas spun about our adventures in the wild regions of the "Far West. "

THE END.