"
"They had the same expedient at command as yourself," rejoined
Middleton, as the party slowly proceeded, approaching the other
carcass, which lay directly on their route.
"I know not that. It is not every savage that carries his steel and
flint, or as good a rifle-pan as this old friend of mine. It is slow
making a fire with two sticks, and little time was given to consider,
or invent, just at this spot, as you may see by yon streak of flame,
which is flashing along afore the wind, as if it were on a trail of
powder. It is not many minutes since the fire has passed here away,
and it may be well to look at our primings, not that I would willingly
combat the Tetons, God forbid! but if a fight needs be, it is always
wise to get the first shot."
"This has been a strange beast, old man," said Paul, who had pulled
the bridle, or rather halter of his steed, over the second carcass,
while the rest of the party were already passing, in their eagerness
to proceed; "a strange horse do I call it; it had neither head nor
hoofs!"
"The fire has not been idle," returned the trapper, keeping his eye
vigilantly employed in profiting by those glimpses of the horizon,
which the whirling smoke offered to his examination.
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