expression, that won’t do. It would never do to take a dog on an expedition like this.”
“Why not?” asked Dick; “the pup’s quiet and peaceable.”
“I doubt it not; but he will betray our presence to the Indians, which might be inconvenient.”
“I have travelled more than a thousand miles through prairie and forest, among game an’ among Injuns, an’ the pup never betrayed me yet,” said Dick. “He has saved my life more than once though.”
“You seem to have perfect confidence in your dog, but as this is a serious matter you must not expect me to share in it without proof.
“The pup may be useful to us; how would you have it proved?” inquired Dick.
“Any way you like.”
“You forgot your belt I think I heerd ye say.”
“Yes, I did,” replied the trader, smiling.
Dick immediately took hold of Cameron’s coat, and bade Crusoe smell it, which the dog did very carefully. Then he showed him his own belt and said, “Go back to the camp and fetch it pup.”
Crusoe was off in a moment, and in less than twenty minutes returned with Cameron’s belt in his mouth.
“Well, I’ll trust him,” said Cameron, patting Crusoe’s head. “Forward, lads!” and away they went at a brisk trot along the bottom of a beautiful valley, on each side of which the mountains towered in dark masses. Soon the moon rose and afforded light sufficient to enable them to travel all night in the track of the Indian hunter who said he had seen the Peigans, and who was constituted guide to the party. Hour after hour the horsemen pressed on without check, now galloping over a level plain, now bounding by the banks of a rivulet, or bending their heads to escape the boughs of overhanging trees, and anon toiling slowly up among the rocks of some narrow defile. At last the moon set and order was given to halt in a little plain where there was wood and water.
The horses were picketed, a fire kindled, a mouthful of dried meat hastily eaten, the watch was set, and then each man scraped away the snow, spread some branches on the ground, and wrapping himself in his blanket, went to sleep with his feet presented towards the fire.
Two hours were allowed for rest; then they were
