lances, while a chief who rode at their head held out his hand as a sign
that he wished to be friends with us. The next minute we were almost
surrounded by the wild-looking horsemen. The chief dismounted, and
Alick advanced to shake hands. We all performed the same ceremony, and
the chief then asked who we were and where we were going. Alick replied
that our fort had been surprised and destroyed by the Blackfeet, and
that we were on our way to Fort Ross to obtain a force for punishing the
marauders.

"They are far away ere this, and you will not overtake them," answered
the chief. "It is a long journey too to perform on foot, and many days
must pass before you can get there. Come with us. We will entertain
you, and in the meantime will send out a band of warriors to learn the
direction your foes and ours have taken."

I remarked that while the chief was speaking he had been eyeing our
packs of provisions.

"We are somewhat hungry," he continued, "for we killed nothing
yesterday; and if you will share your food with us, we will amply repay
you."

We knew by this that the chiefs offer was not altogether disinterested,
and Alick saw that he must make a virtue of necessity.

"You are welcome to our meat, though it will go no great way among so
many warriors," he answered; "but we will show you where the carcass of
the bear is to be found, and if the eagles have left any of the meat on
the bones, there will be enough for you all." This answer seemed to
please the chief greatly, and I at once volunteered to conduct some of
the band through the wood to the spot where we had left the remains of
the bear.

Eight of the Crees immediately leaping from their horses, which they
gave in charge to their companions, set off with me. We found two
white-headed eagles banqueting on the bear; but as they had kept all
other birds of prey at a distance, a considerable portion still
remained. I shot one of the eagles, and the other flew off; and the
Indians having cut up the bear and formed it into packages for
carrying--one of them taking possession of the eagle, and another of the
bear's hide--they returned with me to the camp. The flesh thus obtained
was quickly roasted, or rather burned, in our fire, when it was rapidly
consumed by the hungry horsemen; Bouncer, who at first showed his anger
at the intrusion of the strangers, standing by and catching the scraps
thrown to him.

The chief condescended to eat some of our