enough still fell upon them to make
miserable the house-bred, they did not care. Both fell asleep
after a while, with flurries of snow still striking upon their
faces, and were awakened far in the night by the roar of an
avalanche farther up the canyon; but they soon went to sleep
again and arose the next day with injury.

Thus the winter passed, one of storm and cold, but the trapping
was wonderful, and each boy grew in a remarkable manner in
strength, endurance, and skill. When signs of spring appeared
again, they decided that it was time for them to go. Had it not
been for Dick's misadventure on the plain, and their belief that
a great war was now in progress between the Sioux and the white
people, one might have gone out to return with horses and mules
for furs, while the other remained behind to guard them. But in
view of all the dangers, they resolved to keep together. The
furs would be secreted and the rest of their property must take
its chances.

So they made ready.

Chapter XIV
Prisoners

It gave both Dick and Albert a severe wrench to leave their
beautiful valley. They had lived in it now nearly two years, and
it had brought strength and abounding life to Albert, infinite
variety, content, and gratitude to Dick, and what seemed a
fortune--their furs--to both. It was a beautiful valley, in
which Nature had done for them many strange and wonderful things,
and they loved it, the splendid lake, the grassy levels, the
rushing streams, the noble groves, and the great mountains all
about.

"I'd like to live here, Dick," said Albert, "for some years,
anyway. After we take out our furs and sell 'em, we can come
back and use it as a base for more trapping."

"If the Indians will let up," said Dick.

"Do you think we'll meet 'em?"

"I don't know, but I believe the plains are alive with hostile
Sioux."

But Albert could not foresee any trouble. He was too young, to
sanguine, too full now of the joy of life to think of difficulties.

They chose their weapons for the march with great care, each
taking a repeating rifle, a revolver, a hunting knife, and a
hatchet, the latter chiefly for camping purposes. They also
divided equally among themselves what was left of the ball
cartridges, and each took his sunglass and half of the remaining
matches. The extra weapons, including the shotguns and shot
cartridges, they hid with their furs. They also put in the caves
many more of their most valuab