d so decreased in
size that the stocking failed to hold it in place. The motion of the
horse caused the bandage to slip over the foot. This was remedied by
taking some of the threads of fringe from the skirt of his hunting
shirt and tying them round the poultice. He expected the increased
pressure to hurt, but to his pleased surprise the opposite effect
resulted.

It had been in his mind to construct a crude crutch to aid in hobbling
around, but he decided not to do so. If his recovery continued without
relapse he could do well enough without such aid.

On the journey from the Ohio to the Pacific, as well as during their
intimacy in the new State, Deerfoot and Mul-tal-la had talked so much
about the home of the latter that the Shawanoe felt himself well
informed. A hundred years ago that tribe numbered several thousand, and
they lived in villages, some of which were long distances from one
another. The country over which they roamed covered thousands of square
miles of mountain, prairie and stream. Mul-tal-la described his own
village as consisting of more than a hundred lodges, located near the
middle of the Blackfoot territory. The tepees were strung along the
eastern bank of a stream of considerable size, and was the
dwelling-place of Taggarak, the most famous of the Blackfoot war chiefs
and the head of the other sachems, most of whom lived in different
villages. Deerfoot had formed so clear a picture in his own mind that
he believed he could identify the Indian town at first sight, though it
might be its resemblance to others would prevent such recognition.

The Blackfoot country lies to the east of the Rocky Mountains, while he
was on the west of the stupendous range. It was necessary, therefore,
to make his way through and over the backbone of the continent, in
order to rejoin his friends. Inasmuch as the land of the Assiniboines
was not only farther east, but many leagues to the northward, it will
be understood that the party that had tried to run off Whirlwind had
ventured on a most extensive raid, which brought them no reward except
that of having slain several of Chief Amokeat's Nez Perces.

A requirement for getting through the mountains was an avenue, since
the passage could be effected in no other way except by flying, and
Deerfoot was not yet ready to try that means.

Using all the woodcraft of which he was master, he spent the remainder
of the day in searching for such a pass. He scanned every part o