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Show 130 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF his rifle, and down came an Indian, who, more bold than the rest, had approached too near to our garrison. "Now," said Le Blueux, " bind your leggins and moccasins around your head." I did so, while he obeyed the same order. " Now follow me." • Wondering what bold project he was about to execute, I quietly obeyed him. He went noiselessly to the edge of the bluff, looked narrowly up and down the river, and then commenced to slide down the almost perpendicular bank, I closely following him. We safely reached the river, into which we dropped ourselves. We swam close under the bank for more than a mile, until they discovered us. "Now," said my comrade, " strike across the stream in double quick time." We soon reached the opposite bank, and found ourselves a good mile and a half ahead of the Indians. They commenced plunging into the river in pursuit, but they were too late. We ran across the open ground until we reached a mountain, where we could safely look back and laugh at our pursuers. We had lost our horses and guns, while they had sacrificed six or eight of their warriors, besides missing the two scalps they made so certain of getting hold of. I had thought myself a pretty good match for the Indians, but I at once resigned all claims to merit. Le Blueux, in addition to all the acquired wiles of the Red Man, possessed his own superior art and cunning. He could be surrounded with no difficulties for which his inexhaustible brain could not devise some secure mode of escape. we arrived safe at camp before the first guard was relieved. The following morning we received a severe I I ' |
