nation. The challenge
was too taunting to be endured. The Tetons dashed into the stream, in a body,
and the river became dotted with the dark forms of beasts and riders.
    There was now a fearful struggle for the friendly bank. As the Dahcotahs
advanced with beasts which had not, like that of the Pawnee, expended their
strength in former efforts, and as they moved unincumbered by any thing but
their riders, the speed of the pursuers greatly outstripped that of the
fugitives. The trapper who clearly comprehended the whole danger of their
situation, calmly turned his eyes from the Tetons to his young Indian associate,
in order to examine whether the resolution of the latter began to falter as the
former lessened the distance between them. Instead of betraying fear, however,
or any of that concern which might so readily have been excited by the
peculiarity of his risque, the brow of the young warrior contracted to a look
which indicated high and deadly hostility.
    »Do you greatly value life, friend Doctor?« demanded the old man, with a
sort of philosophical calmness which made the question doubly appalling to his
companion.
    »Not for itself,« returned the naturalist sipping some of the water of the
river from the hollow of his hand, in order to clear his husky throat. »Not for
itself. But exceedingly, inasmuch as Natural History has so deep a stake in my
existence. Therefore -«
    »Ay,« resumed the other who mused too deeply to dissect the ideas of the
Doctor with his usual sagacity, »tis in truth the history of natur', and a base
and craven feeling it is! Now is life as precious to this young Pawnee as to any
Governor in the States, and he might save it, or at least stand some chance of
saving it, by letting us go down the stream, and yet you see he keeps his faith,
manfully and like an Indian warrior. For myself, I am old, and willing to take
the fortune that the Lord may see fit to give, nor do I conceit that you are of
much benefit to mankind, and it is a crying shame if not a sin, that so fine a
youth as this should lose his scalp for two beings so worthless as ourselves. I
am therefore disposed, provided that it shall prove agreeable to you, to tell
the lad to make the best of his way, and to leave us to the mercy of the
Tetons.«
    »I repel the proposition, as repugnant to nature, and as treason to
science!« exclaimed the alarmed naturalist. »Our progress