of them.

When all our effects were concealed, we proceeded first in an easterly,
and next in a north-westerly direction, in the hope of coming across
some of the horses belonging to the tribe. We had reckoned right. At the
break of day we entered a natural pasture of clover, in which hundreds
of them were sleeping and grazing; but as we had walked more than thirty
miles, we determined to take repose before we should renew our journey.

I had scarcely slept an hour when I was roused by a touch on my
shoulder. At first, I fancied it was a dream, but as I opened my eyes, I
saw one of my Indians with his fingers upon his lips to enjoin me to
silence, while his eyes were turned towards the open prairie. I
immediately looked in that direction, and there was a sight that acted
as a prompt anti-soporific. About half a mile from us stood a band of
twenty Indians, with their war-paint and accoutrements, silently and
quietly occupied in tying the horses. Of course they were not of our
tribe, but belonged to the Umbiquas, a nation of thieves on our northern
boundary, much given to horse-stealing, especially when it was not
accompanied by any danger. In the present instance they thought
themselves safe, as the Shoshones had gone out against the Crows, and
they were selecting at their leisure our best animals. Happily for us,
we had encamped amidst thick bushes, upon a spot broken and difficult of
access to quadrupeds, otherwise we should have been discovered, and
there would have been an end to my adventures.

We awoke our companions, losing no time in forming a council of war.
Fight them we could not; let them depart with the horses was out of the
question. The only thing to be done was to follow them, and wait an
opportunity to strike a decisive blow. At mid-day, the thieves having