ing among the rocks before us. I asked short. His
quick eye had detected the movement.

"Indjens!" he exclaimed. "Oh! the treacherous varmints."

Scarcely had he uttered the word than from behind the rocks in our front
up sprang a numerous band of Indians in war-paint and feathers, uttering
the most terrific shrieks and cries, and dancing and leaping about in
the most extraordinary manner. Our rifles were in a moment in our
hands. I was on the point of firing at an Indian whom I had covered,
when old White Dog rushed to the front, exclaiming what Short
interpreted to mean, "Don't fire; they are friends, my people."

This was satisfactory information, for, however pleasant fighting may be
to some people, in our case it would not bring either honour or plunder.
The fact was that, posted as they were, they might, had they been
enemies, have picked us off, supposing they had rifles, without our
being able in any way to get at them, except by climbing up the rocks,
when, of course, they would have picked us off in detail. After White
Dog's followers had amused themselves sufficiently with dancing and
shrieking, they came down from their position, and paid their respects
to their chief, who inquired how it was they happened to be where we had
found them. They all seemed to be very eager to tell him, but he
selected one as the spokesman, and told him to narrate what had
occurred. It appeared that after their chief had left them they got
notice that the Flintheads purposed to attack their lodges and destroy
them. To avoid this result they had packed up their goods and fled from
the spot, merely leaving some scouts to watch the proceedings of their
enemies. They had not to wait long before they observed a party of
warriors approaching. This party seemed very much disappointed at
finding their lodges deserted. Having set fire to everything that would
burn, they continued their route towards our camp, followed closely by
the scouts. When these saw them enter within the intrenchments, they
instantly set off back to their companions. A council was then held,
when it was agreed that it was their duty to set off to help their
chief, who might be in danger.

Old White Dog had, I found, left directions outside our camp, which they
would clearly understand, telling them to follow him. On reaching the
camp they found that we had deserted it, but before going on, they very
naturally took a glance round inside. There they