ind, cautiously led the way to
the top of the ridge. On reaching it we saw a valley of great extent,
dotted with trees and shrubs, and watered by one of the many rivers that
flow into the great Saskatchewan. It was nearly dark, however, and we
could only get an indistinct view of the land. Far ahead of us, on the
right bank of the stream, and close to its margin, we saw the faint red
light of watch-fires; which caused us some surprise, for watch-fires are
never lighted by a war-party so near to an enemy's country. So we could
only conjecture that they were quite ignorant of our being in that part
of the country; which was, indeed, not unlikely, seeing that we had
shifted our camp during the summer.

"Our chief now made arrangements for the attack. We were directed to
separate and approach individually as near to the camp as was possible
without risk of discovery, and then, taking up an advantageous position,
to await our chief's signal, which was to be the hooting of an owl. We
immediately separated. My course lay along the banks of the stream, and
as I strode rapidly along, listening to its low, solemn murmur, which
sounded clear and distinct in the stillness of a calm summer night, I
could not help feeling as if it were reproaching me for the bloody work
I was hastening to perform. Then the recollection of what the old woman
said of me raised a desperate spirit in my heart. Remembering the white
feather in my head, I grasped my gun and quickened my pace. As I neared
the camp I went into the woods and climbed a low hillock to look out. I
found that it still lay about five hundred yards distant, and that the
greater part of the ground between it and the place where I stood was
quite flat, and without cover of any kind. I therefore prepared to
creep towards it, although the attempt was likely to be attended with
great danger, for Chipewyans have quick ears and sharp eyes. Observing,
however, that the river ran close past the camp, I determined to follow
its course as before. In a few seconds more I came to a dark, narrow
gap where the river flowed between broken rocks, overhung by branches,
and from which I could obtain a clear view of the camp within fifty
yards of me. Examining the priming of my gun, I sat down on a rock to
await the chief's signal.

"It was evident, from the careless manner in which the fires were
placed, that no enemy was supposed to be near. From my concealment I
could plainly disti