ools stood
around the tent, while the whole surface of the ground in the tent was
matted with dried buffalo skins, making it free from dampness, and not
altogether uncomely in appearance.

Mrs. Duncan, had ever been noted for a love of orderly household
arrangements, and now, as ever, they developed themselves in a thousand
little comforts that she had thoughtfully stowed away; and now that
they were needed, added essentially to their comfort and pleasure.
Hardly an article was desired that she did not produce from some
corner, its whereabouts unknown to the rest of the family, until
wanted; and when she one day brought out an old familiar boot-jack, one
being wished for, Mr. Duncan said he believed she was in possession of
Aladin's lamp.

They often saw around their camp a straggling Indian of the friendly
tribes, to whom some of them were known. But this was not always to
continue, for a few had been spies, that had carried to their tribes an
account of the emigrants, their heavily loaded wagons containing a
coveted prize, and the owners too few to protect it from any great
force against them. Some of these were "Crows," a tribe noted for
treachery, and others "Arapahoes," in whose professions of friendship
Howe and Mr. Duncan had great confidence. They were under no
apprehension of being molested, and retired every night as usual, with
the precaution of a single guard. Everything went on as usual for a
week, when they were aroused with caution, and armed by Howe, who was
sentinel that night, who said he saw things in the forest that, at the
least, looked very suspicious. Nothing transpired, however, to confirm
his suspicions until daylight, when Howe cautiously reconnoitered the
ground around. He discovered traces where they had been, but so
artfully had they covered their trail, that, without the tact of
detecting it, possessed by the trapper, it would have passed
unobserved, for the rest of the travelers declared they could see
nothing.

"Their designs are against us; their approaching and then returning
without coming into camp, proves it a certainty," remarked Howe, after
satisfying himself that they had not only been there and gone away, but
were anxious to obliterate all traces of their presence.

"We must not be taken by surprise," replied Mr. Duncan. "Courage has
more effect in subduing an Indian than even a ball. However, I do not
apprehend that they really intend to make an assault on us."

"Perhaps