value of
a whole herd of horses. They would only use the choicest and fattest, and carry away only the saddle of the venison. The Indians would deplore this waste. They would often, compelled by hunger, follow these sportsmen and hunters, and sullenly pick up what was left.
They had no horses now to carry them and the provisions and ammunition to the camp, nearly a hundred miles away.
They were equal to the emergency. A time was fixed for a sudden flight for the mountains with our supplies. The women and children were to come over on the hills overlooking Deadwood, and there remain with one warrior, doing what they could till our return. The purpose was to keep up this communication till the Indians were fully armed and equipped.
Whenever I felt my courage or resolution relax, I lifted my helpless arm, recalled my life of the last year, and then grew resolute and reckless, even to death.
Early one evening I rode into camp ; there came an Indian on a spirited and prancing horse, looking, in his skins and long black hair, tossed about by the action of the restless and plunging horse, like a sav age Gaul in the days of Caesar. Then came another, and then another, till all were ready. They had taken their horses from different parts of the settle ments, so as not to excite any suspicion of concert of action ; stolen them, if you prefer the expression, and under my di
