ticular. 'Tis time we took this thing into our own hands."

"It's where we're takin' it _now_, Pryor!" said Gass ominously. "A
coort martial has set for less than that ye've said!"

"Mebbe you couldn't call one--I don't know."

"Mebbe we couldn't, eh? I mind me of a little settlement I had with
that man wance--no coort martial at all--me not enlisted at the toime,
and not responsible under the arthicles of war. I said to his face I
was of the belief I could lick him. I said it kindly, and meant no
harm, because at the time it seemed to me I could, and 'twould be a
pleasure to me. But boys, he hit me wan time, and when I came to I was
careless whether it was the arthicles of war or not had hit me. Listen
to me now, Pryor--and you, too, Ordway--a man like that is liable to
have judgment in his head as well as a punch in his arm. We're safer
to folly him than to folly ourselves. Moreover, I want you to say to
your men that we will not have thim foregatherin' around and talkin'
any disrespect to their shuperiors. If we're in a bad place, let us
fight our ways out. Let's not turn back until we are forced. I never
did loike any rooster in the ring that would either squawk or run
away. That man yonder, on ahead, naded mighty little persuadin' to
fight. I'm with him!"

"Well, maybe you are right, Pat," said Ordway after a time. And so the
mutiny once more halted.

The tide changed quickly when it began to set the other way. Lewis led
an advance party across the range. One day, deep in the mountains, he
was sweeping the country with his spyglass, as was his custom. He gave
a sudden exclamation.

"What is it, Captain?" asked Hugh McNeal. "Some game?"

"No, a man--an Indian! Riding a good horse, too--that means he has
more horses somewhere. Come, we will call to him!"

The wild rider, however, had nothing but suspicion for the newcomers.
Staring at them, he wheeled at length and was away at top speed. Once
more they were alone, and none the better off.

"His people are that way," said Lewis. "Come!"

But all that day passed, and that night, and still they found none of
the natives. But they began to see signs of Indians now, fresh tracks,
hoofprints of many horses. And thus finally they came upon two Indian
women and a child, whom the white men surprised before they were able
to escape. Lewis took up the child, and showed the mother that he was
a friend.

"These are Shoshones," said he to his men. "I can speak with th