for their hunting-grounds--thus granting us a short respite from
the arduous duties in which we had been engaged. While the Indians
remained about us we never enjoyed a moment's refreshing rest, our hut
being crowded with them night and day. It was at times with difficulty
we could prepare our victuals, or, when cooked, command sufficient
time to partake of a hasty meal, in the midst of the "living mass"
that environed us. All this was extremely annoying; but other comforts
must be added ere this picture of the life we then led is complete.
The motions of our opponents must needs be attended to, at dawn of
day; each morning every path was carefully examined, to ascertain that
no one had started during night: these precautions were also
punctually taken by our opponents; and every stratagem that could be
devised to elude each other's vigilance put in practice, it being the
"interest" of each party to reach the Indians alone.




CHAPTER VIII.

ACTIVITY OF OUR OPPONENTS--VIOLENT CONDUCT OF AN INDIAN--NARROW
ESCAPE--ARTIFICE--TRIP TO INDIAN'S LODGE--STUPIDITY OF INTERPRETER.


When we discovered that our opponents had outwitted us, we would
despatch messengers in pursuit; and I need scarcely add, the same
means were resorted to by our neighbours, when inquisitive about
our movements. We had now the advantage in point of numbers, being
nearly two to one; yet it so happened that we seldom could perform
a trip unattended; very frequently by a single man against two or