then asked
him if he had seen a wounded deer pass that way.

"There lies your game," he answered, leading me forward, where behind a
bush I saw the animal I had wounded. "I was employed in cutting it up
when you appeared," he added; "although I brought it to the ground, your
shot enabled me to kill it, and it is therefore yours. I will help you
to load your horse with the meat."

I in vain attempted to induce him to take the whole or a portion. "No,
no," he answered, "I have but one mouth to feed, while you have a
garrison to support," and he continued his task.

"You may have some difficulty in finding your companions," he observed,
when my horse was loaded; "I will lead you to them."

We set off together. After going some distance he stopped, and, shaking
me by the hand, said--

"Go on there, you will soon find your friends; but you need not mention
having met with me."

This remark convinced me more than ever that the stranger had some
reason for not wishing to have any intercourse with the garrison. I
wished him "good-bye," and he plunging into the forest, I soon rejoined
my companions.

We returned with a large supply of venison. My father, to whom I
privately communicated the information I had received from the stranger,
announced his intention of setting out next morning.

The harness during our stay had been put in good order. My horse,
thanks to the remedies applied by the surgeon, had completely recovered,
and we purchased another for Dio.

Everything being ready at the time appointed, we recommenced our
journey, saluted by the cheers of the garrison. Our course was now
towards the north-west, which would lead us across the Laramie plains,
over a range of the Rocky Mountains, beyond which my father expected
from the report of hunters and trappers to find a fertile region, in
which he would be content to establish himself. We had added, I should
have said, two light carts, in which we intended to transport the
cargoes of the waggons, should we find it impossible to drag them when
laden over the heights. As we travelled on I fully expected to fall in
with the stranger, but day after day went by and he did not make his
appearance. Following the advice given, we halted only to rest our
animals. On such occasions we employed the time in hunting, and seldom
returned without a supply of either buffalo meat or venison. The
Indians we met with appeared disposed to be friendly, or at all events,