"I believe it. The eagles were whetting their beaks; and the bears, wolves, and wolverines sharpening their claws."
"Very like, because they have seen us and so many other gangs almost jostling in these wilds, and they know there will be meat."
"No, Dick; our conflicts will not furnish them with a glut. It will be a mightier devastator—one that we cannot resist, and we will be lucky to dodge. See the clouds rolling over and over on the top of the Rockies—above the snowbelt! That is the blizzard concentrating for a rush down upon the valleys and plains. Go and set the men to making all weatherproof. We shall be snowed up! And may the devil take care of his own!"
[CHAPTER IX.]
THE RED RIVER HALF-BREEDS.
Whilst Ranald and Filditch reposed, the more restless trappers went out reconnoitring all the day.
There was a rising wind, which boomed in the hollows, rattled the loose stones, and soughed among the ice coated boughs.
Their first find was the lodgement of the Crow Indians. For over twenty hours these had remained in a fireless camp in a gulch eastward, living on "cold bites," so as not to betray themselves, and sending out no scouts till the recent snow should be hardened.