directions; and, finally had given up all hopes of ever seeing them
again. The whole party now began the march to join Gaunt at the Ballo
Salado.[3]

[Footnote 3: Salt Springs.]

These Springs form the head waters of the south fork of the River
Platte. When four days' journey had been accomplished, and while they
were partaking of their breakfast in camp, an alarm of Indians was
given by one of the men. He had accidentally discovered the red skin
rascals as they were prowling about the camp. A rush was instantly
made by the trappers, with rifles in hand, to save their horses.
Shots were fired and one Indian fell. The rest of the band made off as
empty-handed as they came, with one exception. One brave had succeeded
in capturing and mounting a horse before the white men could reach
him. Notwithstanding he had a dead brother lying on the ground, he
appeared to be altogether too polite to make the trappers a longer
visit; at least, without a proper introduction. On the contrary, he
galloped off; seemingly, quite proud of his trophy. Had it not been
that the trappers had taken the precaution to hobble their horses
before turning them out to graze, they would have lost them all in
this attempted stampede.[4]

[Footnote 4: These stampedes are a source of great profit to the
Indians of the Plains. It is by this means they deprive the caravans
of their animals. The Camanches are particularly expert and daring
in this kind of robbery. They even train horses to run from one given
point to another in expectancy of caravans. When a camp is made which
is nearly in range they turn their trained animals loose, who at once
fly across the plain, penetrating and passing through the camp of