While they were narrating their history, the two trappers arrived with a fat buck.  They were old friends, having both of them travelled and hunted with Gabriel.  We resolved not to proceed any further that day, and they laughed a great deal when we related to them our prowess against the Crows.  An application of bruised leaves of the Gibson weed upon the legs of the two sufferers immediately soothed their pain, and the next morning they were able to use Roche’s and Gabriel’s horses, and to follow us to Brownhall, an American fur-trading port, which place we reached in two days.

There we parted from our company, and rapidly continued our march towards the settlement.  Ten days did we travel thus in the heart of a fine country, where game at every moment crossed our path.  We arrived in the deserted country of the Bonnaxes, and were scarcely two days’ journey from the Eastern Shoshone boundary, when, as ill-luck would have it, we met once more with our old enemies the Arrapahoes.  This time, however, we were determined not to be put any more on dog’s meat allowance, and to fight, if necessary, in defence of our liberty.

We were surrounded, but not yet taken; and space being ours and our rifles true, we hoped to escape, not one of our enemies having, as we well knew, any firearms.  They reduced their circle smaller and smaller, till they stood at about a hundred and fifty yards from us; their horses fat and plump, but of the small wild breed, and incapable of running a race with our tall and beautiful Mexican chargers.  At that moment Gabriel raised his hand, as if for a signal; we all three darted like lightning through the line of warriors, who were too much taken by surprise even to use their bows.  They soon recovered from their astonishment, and giving the war-whoop, with many ferocious yells of disappointment, dashed after us at their utmost speed.

Their horses, as I have said, could not run a race with ours, but in a long chase their hardy little animals would have had the advantage, especially as our own steeds had already performed so long a journey.  During the two first hours we kept them out of sight, but towards dark, as our beasts gave in, we saw their forms in the horizon becoming more and more distinct, while, to render our escape less probable, we found ourselves opposed in front by a chain of mountains, not high, but very steep and rugged.

“On, ahead, we are safe!” cried Gabriel.  Of course, there was no time for explanation, and ten minutes more saw us at the foot of the mountain.  “Not a word, but do as I do,” again said my companion.  We followed his example by unsaddling our animals and taking off the bridles, with which we whipped them.  The poor things, though tired, galloped to the south, as if they were aware of the impending danger.

“I understand, Gabriel,” said I; “the savages cannot see us in the shades of these hills; they will follow our horses by the sounds.”