mp.

While thus employed, we heard a shout and saw our companions approaching
with their dogs. They had missed the remainder of the herd, and were
too 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 returned
to the camp, where we found Dick ready with spits for roasting it. In a
short time Pierre and the Indians returned with the report that they had
found the mules dead, and already almost devoured by the coyotes, while
their cargoes had been blown up, as we feared would be the case, with
the powder they contained. They brought the spare, guns--the stocks of
which, however, were sadly damaged by the fire. Our camp equipage,
which was very welcome, was uninjured, together with a few knives and
other articles of iron.

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

CHAPTER TWO.

By the loss of our baggage, we were reduced to hard fare. We had no
coffee, no corn meal, no salt or pepper; but our greatest want was
powder. Should the ammunition in our pouches hold out, we hoped to
obtain food enough to keep us from starving till we could reach the
nearest 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. We
must push on through it, therefore, as fast as our horses could carry
us; but after their hard gallop on the previous day, it would be
necessary to give them several hours rest, and it was settled that we
should remain encamped where we were until the following morning. The
locality had many advantages: it was high and dry, while, commanding as
it did an extensive view over the prairie, we could see any hostile
Indians approaching, and could defend ourselves should they venture to
attack us.

As soon as breakfast was over, and we had rested from the fatigues of
the morning, we again set out on foot with our guns. Charley and I, as
before, kept together. The rest divided into two parties, each hoping
to add a good supply of meat to the common stock. We had entered into
an agreement not to fire a shot, unless sure of our aim, as every
charge, 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 th