Page:The Prairie Flower; Or, Adventures In the Far West.djvu/70

 in it."

Something like an hour was spent in making Teddy familiar with the rifle, at the end of which, I had the satisfaction of finding him tit for duty. By this time ail save he and I were in their saddles; an I hastily mounting, we joine I the cavalcade Carson in the van, and amid three hearty cheers from the regular garrison (most of whom remained to protect the station). and earnest prayers from all for our safety and success in the coming contest we quitted the fort.

Shaping our course along the bank of the river, we advanced some ten or fifteen miles over the regular Oregon route, when we came to a place called Big Spring, which takes its name from a large spring of water gushing out at the base of a steep hill, some quarter of a mile below the traveled road. Here we halted and held a council of war regarding our further progress, which resulted in the decision to quit the road at this point, and, by stri ding off to the left, keeping ourselves cov ered as much as possible in the wood, endeavor to gain a safe lodgment near the Indian camp, and remain quiet till after nightfall, when we must be guided wholly by circumstances. It was also thought prudent to throw out a few scouts in ad vance, lest we unknowingly should enter an ambuscade and all be cut off. For this purpose Carson dismounted, and ap pointing me his lieutenant, gave me pri vate instructions regarding the route, and at what point, provided he had not joined us meantime. [ was to hah and await him. Then ordering two Canadian-French voy age urs to dismount also, he said a few words to them in a jargon I did not un derstand, and in another moment all three had separated, and were buried in the surrounding wood at so many different points of compass.

Leading the unridden horses of the scouts, we slowly picked our way over rough and sometimes dangerous ground, keeping a sharp lookout on every side for fear of surprise, until the sun had reached within an hour and a half of the horizon, when we came to a beautiful little open plat, covered wiilf rich green grass and blooming wild tlowers, in the center of wl-ich bubbled up a cool crystal spring, forming a sparkling little rivulet, and the

whole of which was surrounded by a dense thicket, not more than a hundred yards distant at any point. This beautiful spot to me seemed the oasis of the desert; and being to the best of my judgment the one described by Kit, where I was to await him, I accordingly ordered a halt. Dismounting and refreshing ourselves at the

spring, we watered our animals and al lowed them to graze around us, holding fast to the bridle reins the while, pre pared to remount at a moment's notice or the first sign of danger.

Half an hour passed in this way, and some of the mountaineers were becoming impatient, when, to our great delight, we beheld the welcome visage of Carson, as he glided noiselessly into the open plat and rejoined us. And, singular enough! al most at the same mosnent the two voya- geurs made their appearance at different points, not one of the three having seen either of the others since their parting from us in the morning.

"Well, boys," said Carson, thar'll have to be some warm doings to a certainty; and those of you who aint prepared to lose your scalps, had better be backing out or getting ready as soon as convenient."

"Have you seen the Indians ?" asked Huntley.

"Well I have, and know Prairie Flower didn't lie either. Thar ar three distinct lodges of them composed of Sioui', Chey- enues and Blackfeet at least to the best of judgment, for I didn't like ventur ing too close. They are <nmped in a little fcollow just below Bitter Cottonwood, not more than three miles distant, and evidently have no suspicirn of our being near them."

"Well, what is now to Le done?" I asked.

"Wait till I've had <j. t/ik with these Canadians."

With this Kit called t\\e scouts aside, and after a few minutes' conversation, re turned to me and said :

"La Fanche and Gi/nois both report, they've seen no Indiaa signs to alarm, from which I argue, tl, at thinking them selves secure where th<:y ar, the savages haven't taken thar usual precaution t< send out scouts. Regarding the plan of attack, I think we'd better