On the morning of the 23d, therefore, instead of embarking, he filled his shot-pouch with parched corn, for provisions, and set off to cross the neck on foot and meet the boats in the afternoon at the opposite side of the bend.

Mr.Hunt felt uneasy at his venturing thus alone, and reminded him that he was in an enemy's country; but Mr.Bradbury made light of the danger, and started off cheerily upon his ramble.

His day was passed pleasantly in traversing a beautiful tract, making botanical and geological researches, and observing the habits of an extensive village of prairie dogs, at which he made several ineffectual shots, without considering the risk he ran of attracting the attention of any savages that might be lurking in the neighborhood.

In fact he had totally forgotten the Sioux Tetons, and all the other perils of the country, when, about the middle of the afternoon, as he stood near the river bank, and was looking out for the boat, he suddenly felt a hand laid on his shoulder.

Starting and turning round, he beheld a naked savage with a bow bent, and the arrow pointed at his breast.