savage sports--living cataracts--an alarm--indians and theirdoings--the stampede--charlie again.

one day dick varley was out on a solitary huntingexpedition near the rocky gorge where his horsehad received temporary burial a week or two before.

crusoe was with him, of course. dick had tied charlieto a tree, and was sunning himself on the edge of a cliff,from the top of which he had a fine view of the valleyand the rugged precipices that hemmed it in.

just in front of the spot on which he sat, the precipiceson the opposite side of the gorge rose to a considerableheight above him, so that their ragged outlines weredrawn sharply across the clear sky. dick was gazingin dreamy silence at the jutting rocks and dark caverns,and speculating on the probable number of bears thatdwelt there, when a slight degree of restlessness on thepart of crusoe attracted him.

"what is't, pup?" said he, laying his hand on thedog's broad back.

crusoe looked the answer, "i don't know, dick, butit's something, you may depend upon it, else i wouldnot have disturbed you."dick lifted his rifle from the ground, and laid it inthe hollow of his left arm.

"there must be something in the wind," remarked dick.

as wind is known to be composed of two distinctgases, crusoe felt perfectly safe in replying "yes" withhis tail. immediately after he added, "hallo! did youhear that?" with his ears.

dick did hear it, and sprang hastily to his feet, asa sound like, yet unlike, distant thunder came faintlydown upon the breeze. in a few seconds the soundincreased to a roar in which was mingled the wild criesof men. neither dick nor crusoe moved, for thesounds came from behind the heights in front of them,and they felt that the only way to solve the question,"what can the sounds be?" was to wait till the soundsshould solve it themselves.

suddenly the muffled sounds gave place to the distinctbellowing of cattle, the clatter of innumerablehoofs, and the yells of savage men, while at the samemoment the edges of the opposite cliffs became alivewith indians and buffaloes rushing about in frantichaste--the former almost mad with savage excitement,the latter with blind rage and terror.

on reaching the edge of the dizzy precipice, thebuffaloes turned abruptly and tossed their ponderousheads as they coursed along the edge. yet a few ofthem, unable to check their headlong course, fell over,and were dashed to pieces on the rocks below. suchfalls, dick observed, were hailed with shouts of delightby the indians, whose sole object evidently was toenjoy the sport of driving the terrified animals over theprecipice. the wily savages had chosen their groundwell for this purpose.

the cliff immediately opposite to dick varley was ahuge projection from the precipice that hemmed in thegorge, a species of cape or promontory several hundredyards wide at the base, and narrowing abruptly to apoint. the sides of this wedge-shaped projection werequite perpendicular--indeed, in some places the top overhungthe base--and they were at least three hundred feethigh. broken and jagged rocks, of that peculiarlychaotic character which probably suggested the name tothis part of the great american chain, projected fromand were scattered all round the cliffs. over these theindians, whose numbers increased every moment, stroveto drive the luckless herd of buffaloes that had chancedto fall in their way. the task was easy. the unsuspectinganimals, of which there were hundreds, rushedin a dense mass upon the cape referred to. on theycame with irresistible impetuosity, bellowing furiously,while their hoofs thundered on the turf with the muffledcontinuous roar of a distant but mighty cataract; theindians, meanwhile, urging them on by hideous yells andfrantic gestures.

the advance-guard came bounding madly to the edgeof the precipice. here they stopped short, and gazedaffrighted at the gulf below. it was but for a moment.

the irresistible momentum of the flying mass behindpushed them over. down they came, absolutely a livingcataract, upon the rocks below. some struck on theprojecting rocks in the descent, and their bodies weredashed almost in pieces, while their blood spurted outin showers. others leaped from rock to rock withawful bounds, until, losing their foothold, they fellheadlong; while others descended sheer down into thesweltering mass that lay shattered at the base of thecliffs.

dick varley and his dog remained rooted to therock, as they gazed at the sickening sight, as if petrified.

scarce fifty of that noble herd of buffaloes escaped theawful leap, but they escaped only to fall before thearrows of their ruthless pursuers. dick had oftenheard of this tendency of the indians, where buffaloeswere very numerous, to drive them over precipices inmere wanton sport and cruelty, but he had never seenit until now, and the sight filled his soul with horror.

it was not until the din and tumult of the perishingherd and the shrill yells of the indians had almost diedaway that he turned to quit the spot. but the instanthe did so another shout was raised. the savages hadobserved him, and were seen galloping along the cliffstowards the head of the gorge, with the obvious intentionof gaining the other side and capturing him. dicksprang on charlie's back, and the next instant was flyingdown the valley towards the camp.

he did not, however, fear being overtaken, for thegorge could not be crossed, and the way round the headof it was long and rugged; but he was anxious to alarmthe camp as quickly as possible, so that they mighthave time to call in the more distant trappers and makepreparations for defence.

"where away now, youngster?" inquired cameron,emerging from his tent as dick, taking the brook thatflowed in front at a flying leap, came crashing throughthe bushes into the midst of the fur-packs at full speed.

"injuns!" ejaculated dick, reining up, and vaultingout of the saddle. "hundreds of 'em. fiends incarnateevery one!""are they near?""yes; an hour'll bring them down on us. are joeand henri far from camp to-day?""at ten-mile creek," replied cameron with an expressionof bitterness, as he caught up his gun andshouted to several men, who hurried up on seeing ourhero burst into camp.

"ten-mile creek!" muttered dick. "i'll bring 'emin, though," he continued, glancing at several of thecamp horses that grazed close at hand.

in another moment he was on charlie's back, theline of one of the best horses was in his hand, and almostbefore cameron knew what he was about he wasflying down the valley like the wind. charlie oftenstretched out at full speed to please his young master,but seldom had he been urged forward as he was uponthis occasion. the led horse being light and wild, keptwell up, and in a marvellously short space of time theywere at ten-mile creek.

"hallo, dick, wot's to do?" inquired joe blunt, whowas up to his knees in the water setting a trap at themoment his friend galloped up.

"injuns! where's henri?" demanded dick.

"at the head o' the dam there."dick was off in a moment, and almost instantly returnedwith henri galloping beside him.

no word was spoken. in time of action these mendid not waste words. during dick's momentaryabsence, joe blunt had caught up his rifle and examinedthe priming, so that when dick pulled up besidehim he merely laid his hand on the saddle, saying, "allright!" as he vaulted on charlie's back behind hisyoung companion. in another moment they were awayat full speed. the mustang seemed to feel that unwontedexertions were required of him. doubleweighted though he was, he kept well up with the otherhorse, and in less than two hours after dick's leavingthe camp the three hunters came in sight of it.

meanwhile cameron had collected nearly all hisforces and put his camp in a state of defence before theindians arrived, which they did suddenly, and, as usual,at full gallop, to the amount of at least two hundred.

they did not at first seem disposed to hold friendlyintercourse with the trappers, but assembled in a semicircleround the camp in a menacing attitude, while oneof their chiefs stepped forward to hold a palaver. forsome time the conversation on both sides was politeenough, but by degrees the indian chief assumed animperious tone, and demanded gifts from the trappers,taking care to enforce his request by hinting that thousandsof his countrymen were not far distant. cameronstoutly refused, and the palaver threatened to come toan abrupt and unpleasant termination just at the timethat dick and his friends appeared on the scene ofaction.

the brook was cleared at a bound; the three huntersleaped from their steeds and sprang to the front witha degree of energy that had a visible effect on thesavages; and cameron, seizing the moment, proposedthat the two parties should smoke a pipe and hold acouncil. the indians agreed, and in a few minutesthey were engaged in animated and friendly intercourse.

the speeches were long, and the compliments paid oneither side were inflated, and, we fear, undeserved; butthe result of the interview was, that cameron made theindians a present of tobacco and a few trinkets, andsent them back to their friends to tell them that hewas willing to trade with them.

next day the whole tribe arrived in the valley, andpitched their deerskin tents on the plain opposite tothe camp of the white men. their numbers far exceededcameron's expectation, and it was with someanxiety that he proceeded to strengthen his fortificationsas much as circumstances and the nature of theground would admit.

the indian camp, which numbered upwards of athousand souls, was arranged with great regularity, andwas divided into three distinct sections, each sectionbeing composed of a separate tribe. the great snakenation at that time embraced three tribes or divisions--namely,the shirry-dikas, or dog-eaters; the war-are-ree-kas,or fish-eaters; and the banattees, or robbers.

these were the most numerous and powerfulindians on the west side of the rocky mountains. theshirry-dikas dwelt in the plains, and hunted the buffaloes;dressed well; were cleanly; rich in horses; bold,independent, and good warriors. the war-are-ree-kaslived chiefly by fishing, and were found on the banksof the rivers and lakes throughout the country. theywere more corpulent, slovenly, and indolent than theshirry-dikas, and more peaceful. the banattees, aswe have before mentioned, were the robbers of themountains. they were a wild and contemptible race,and at enmity with every one. in summer they wentabout nearly naked. in winter they clothed themselvesin the skins of rabbits and wolves. being excellentmimics, they could imitate the howling ofwolves, the neighing of horses, and the cries of birds, bywhich means they could approach travellers, rob them,and then fly to their rocky fastnesses in the mountains,where pursuit was vain.

such were the men who now assembled in front ofthe camp of the fur-traders, and cameron soon foundthat the news of his presence in the country had spreadfar and wide among the natives, bringing them to theneighbourhood of his camp in immense crowds, so thatduring the next few days their numbers increased tothousands.

several long palavers quickly ensued between thered men and the white, and the two great chiefs whoseemed to hold despotic rule over the assembled tribeswere extremely favourable to the idea of universal peacewhich was propounded to them. in several set speechesof great length and very considerable power, thesenatural orators explained their willingness to enter intoamicable relations with all the surrounding nations, aswell as with the white men.

"but," said pee-eye-em, the chief of the shirry-dikas,a man above six feet high, and of immense muscularstrength--"but my tribe cannot answer for the banattees,who are robbers, and cannot be punished, because they dwell inscatteredfamilies among the mountains. the banattees are bad; they cannot betrusted."none of the banattees were present at the councilwhen this was said; and if they had been it would havemattered little, for they were neither fierce nor courageous,although bold enough in their own haunts tomurder and rob the unwary.

the second chief did not quite agree with pee-eye-em.

he said that it was impossible for them to makepeace with their natural enemies, the peigans and theblackfeet on the east side of the mountains. it wasvery desirable, he admitted; but neither of these tribeswould consent to it, he felt sure.

upon this joe blunt rose and said, "the great chiefof the war-are-ree-kas is wise, and knows that enemiescannot be reconciled unless deputies are sent to makeproposals of peace.""the pale-face does not know the blackfeet," answeredthe chief. "who will go into the lands of theblackfeet? my young men have been sent once andagain, and their scalps are now fringes to the leggingsof their enemies. the war-are-ree-kas do not cross themountains but for the purpose of making war.""the chief speaks truth," returned joe; "yet thereare three men round the council fire who will go to theblackfeet and the peigans with messages of peace fromthe snakes if they wish it."joe pointed to himself, henri, and dick as he spoke, and added, "wethreedo not belong to the camp of the fur-traders; we only, lodge with themfora time. the great chief of the white men has sent us to make peacewith thered-men, and to tell them that he desires to trade with them--toexchangehatchets, and guns, and blankets for furs."this declaration interested the two chiefs greatly, andafter a good deal of discussion they agreed to take advantageof joe blunt's offer; and appoint him as adeputy to the court of their enemies. having arrangedthese matters to their satisfaction, cameron bestowed ared flag and a blue surtout with brass buttons on eachof the chiefs, and a variety of smaller articles on theother members of the council, and sent them away in aparticularly amiable frame of mind.

pee-eye-em burst the blue surtout at the shouldersand elbows in putting it on, as it was much too smallfor his gigantic frame; but never having seen such anarticle of apparel before, he either regarded this as thenatural and proper consequence of putting it on, or wastotally indifferent to it, for he merely looked at therents with a smile of satisfaction, while his squaw surreptitiouslycut off the two back buttons and thrustthem into her bosom.

by the time the council closed the night was far advanced,and a bright moon was shedding a flood of softlight over the picturesque and busy scene.

"i'll go to the injun camp," said joe to walter cameron,as the chiefs rose to depart. "the season's farenough advanced already; it's time to be off; and ifi'm to speak for the redskins in the blackfeet council,i'd need to know what to say.""please yourself, master blunt," answered cameron.

"i like your company and that of your friends, and if it suited you iwouldbe glad to take you along with us to the coast of the pacific; butyourmission among theindians is a good one, and i'll help it on all i can.--i suppose youwillgo also?" he added, turning to dick varley, who was still seatedbeside thecouncil fire caressing crusoe.

"wherever joe goes, i go," answered dick.

crusoe's tail, ears, and eyes demonstrated high approvalof the sentiment involved in this speech.

"and your friend henri?""he goes too," answered joe. "it's as well that theredskins should see the three o' us before we start forthe east side o' the mountains.--ho, henri! come here,lad."henri obeyed, and in a few seconds the three friendscrossed the brook to the indian camp, and were guidedto the principal lodge by pee-eye-em. here a greatcouncil was held, and the proposed attempt at negotiationsfor peace with their ancient enemies fully discussed.

while they were thus engaged, and just aspee-eye-em had, in the energy of an enthusiastic peroration,burst the blue surtout almost up to the collar, adistant rushing sound was heard, which caused everyman to spring to his feet, run out of the tent, and seizehis weapons.

"what can it be, joe?" whispered dick as they stoodat the tent door leaning on their rifles, and listeningintently.

"dun'no'," answered joe shortly.

most of the numerous fires of the camp had gone out,but the bright moon revealed the dusky forms of thousands of indians,whomthe unwonted sound had startled,moving rapidly about.

the mystery was soon explained. the indian campwas pitched on an open plain of several miles in extent,which took a sudden bend half-a-mile distant, where aspur of the mountains shut out the farther end of thevalley from view. from beyond this point the dullrumbling sound proceeded. suddenly there was a roaras if a mighty cataract had been let loose upon thescene. at the same moment a countless herd of wildhorses came thundering round the base of the mountainand swept over the plain straight towards the indiancamp.

"a stampede!" cried joe, springing to the assistanceof pee-eye-em, whose favourite horses were picketednear the tent.

on they came like a living torrent, and the thunderof a thousand hoofs was soon mingled with the howlingof hundreds of dogs in the camp, and the yelling ofindians, as they vainly endeavoured to restrain therising excitement of their steeds. henri and dickstood rooted to the ground, gazing in silent wonder atthe fierce and uncontrollable gallop of the thousands ofpanic-stricken horses that bore down upon the campwith the tumultuous violence of a mighty cataract.

as the maddened troop drew nigh, the camp horsesbegan to snort and tremble violently, and when therush of the wild steeds was almost upon them, theybecame ungovernable with terror, broke their haltersand hobbles, and dashed wildly about. to add to theconfusion at that moment, a cloud passed over the moonand threw the whole scene into deep obscurity. blindwith terror, which was probably increased by the dinof their own mad flight, the galloping troop came on,and with a sound like the continuous roar of thunderthat for an instant drowned the yell of dog and manthey burst upon the camp, trampling over packs andskins, and dried meat, etc., in their headlong speed, andoverturning several of the smaller tents. in anothermoment they swept out upon the plain beyond, andwere soon lost in the darkness of the night, while theyelping of dogs, as they vainly pursued them, mingledand gradually died away with the distant thunder oftheir retreat.

this was a stampede, one of the most extraordinaryscenes that can be witnessed in the western wilderness.

"lend a hand, henri," shouted joe, who was strugglingwith a powerful horse. "wot's comed over yerbrains, man? this brute'll git off if you don't looksharp."dick and henri both answered to the summons, andthey succeeded in throwing the struggling animal on itsside and holding it down until its excitement was somewhatabated. pee-eye-em had also been successful insecuring his favourite hunter: but nearly every otherhorse belonging to the camp had broken loose and joinedthe whirlwind gallop. but they gradually dropped out,and before morning the most of them were secured bytheir owners. as there were at least two thousandhorses and an equal number of dogs in the part of theindian camp which had been thus overrun by the wildmustangs, the turmoil, as may be imagined, was prodigious!

yet, strange to say, no accident of a seriousnature occurred beyond the loss of several chargers.

in the midst of this exciting scene there was oneheart which beat with a nervous vehemence that well-nighburst it. this was the heart of dick varley'shorse, charlie. well known to him was that distantrumbling sound that floated on the night air into thefur-traders' camp, where he was picketed close tocameron's tent. many a time had he heard the approachof such a wild troop, and often, in days not longgone by, had his shrill neigh rung out as he joined andled the panic-stricken band. he was first to hear thesound, and by his restive actions to draw the attentionof the fur-traders to it. as a precautionary measurethey all sprang up and stood by their horses to soothethem, but as a brook with a belt of bushes and quarterof a mile of plain intervened between their camp andthe mustangs as they flew past, they had little or notrouble in restraining them. not so, however, withcharlie. at the very moment that his master was congratulatinghimself on the supposed security of his position,he wrenched the halter from the hand of him whoheld it, burst through the barrier of felled trees thathad been thrown round the camp, cleared the brook ata bound, and with a wild hilarious neigh resumed hisold place in the ranks of the free-born mustangs of theprairie.

little did dick think, when the flood of horses sweptpast him, that his own good steed was there, rejoicingin his recovered liberty. but crusoe knew it. ay,the wind had borne down the information to his acutenose before the living storm burst upon the camp; andwhen charlie rushed past, with the long tough haltertrailing at his heels, crusoe sprang to his side, seizedthe end of the halter with his teeth, and galloped offalong with him.

it was a long gallop and a tough one, but crusoe heldon, for it was a settled principle in his mind never togive in. at first the check upon charlie's speed wasimperceptible, but by degrees the weight of the giganticdog began to tell, and after a time they fell a little tothe rear; then by good fortune the troop passed througha mass of underwood, and the line getting entangledbrought their mad career forcibly to a close; the mustangspassed on, and the two friends were left to keepeach other company in the dark.

how long they would have remained thus is uncertain,for neither of them had sagacity enough to undo acomplicated entanglement. fortunately, however, in hisenergetic tugs at the line, crusoe's sharp teeth partiallysevered it, and a sudden start on the part of charliecaused it to part. before he could escape, crusoe againseized the end of it, and led him slowly but steadilyback to the indian camp, never halting or turning asideuntil he had placed the line in dick varley's hand.

"hallo, pup! where have ye bin? how did ye bringhim here?" exclaimed dick, as he gazed in amazementat his foam-covered horse.

crusoe wagged his tail, as if to say, "be thankfulthat you've got him, dick, my boy, and don't ask questionsthat you know i can't answer.""he must ha' broke loose and jined the stampede,"remarked joe, coming out of the chief's tent at themoment; "but tie him up, dick, and come in, for wewant to settle about startin' to-morrow or nixt day."having fastened charlie to a stake, and orderedcrusoe to watch him, dick re-entered the tent wherethe council had reassembled, and where pee-eye-em--having,in the recent struggle, split the blue surtoutcompletely up to the collar, so that his backbone wasvisible throughout the greater part of its length--washolding forth in eloquent strains on the subject of peacein general and peace with the blackfeet, the ancientenemies of the shirry-dikas, in particular.