only the second time the
scamps have manifested hostility. Once I got clear by giving them an ox,
and thought I got off quite cheap at that. But this time they appear to
be serious; and if we get clear with a whole skin, may think ourselves
lucky. Some team ahead of us must have trespassed on their rights in an
outrageous manner to render them as rebellious as they are."

"I have a great mind to try the range of my rifle," Fred said. "I think
that I can send a ball into their midst, and make them scatter to the
bushes, instead of standing there and quarrelling among themselves."

Smith measured the distance with his eye and shook his head.

"It's over a half mile," he said, "and I never yet saw the shooting iron
that could do damage at such a distance."

"Then look at one for the first time;" and as Fred spoke, he sighted a
native, who appeared desirous of making an immediate attack, for he was
gesticulating in the most absurd manner, and shaking his long spear at
us as though trying to get at close quarters, where he could do instant
execution.

The act of Fred was observed, and a yell of defiance greeted his hostile
attitude. Before it had died away, the sharp report of the rifle drowned
their shrill screams, and then the conspicuous native, who had
flourished his spear so threateningly, threw up his arms, and with a
most unearthly yell, fell to the ground.

In an instant not a native, with the exception of the wounded one, was
to be seen, and a stranger would hardly have supposed that the clump of
bushes near us contained a couple of dozen human beings, who were
watching every motion which we made, and speculating as to the best mode
of putting us to death, and sharing the goods and provisions loaded upon
the cart.

"An American rifle forever," shouted Smith, who suspended his work of
getting out a water keg, containing eighteen or twenty gallons, which he
had taken the precaution to fill with water and place upon the cart, so
that his animals and companions need not suffer with thirst during the
long stretch across the prairies.

"A few more such shots as that and the black devils will retire in
disgust, and we shall have the road free," Smith continued, with an
admiring look at his American friend.

"There is no use in wasting our powder by firing at random, and until
the natives show themselves I shall rest, so as to be able to keep my
eyes open to-night."

Under the shadow of the cart Fred spread his