On the outer edge of the grove, next to the antelope, I saw him emerge, holding a stick over his head, to which was affixed a handkerchief or rag. He walked a short distance, and then lay down flat upon the prairie, perfectly concealed in the grass. The rag was visible, fluttering above him. I now watched the motions of the antelope. He stood gazing at us, until the trapper came into view, when, with a startled glance at him, he wheeled and ran. In a moment, however, he paused and turned quickly around. His looks were now fixed upon the fluttering signal. He stood motionless a moment, and then cautiously lifting his foot, made a step toward it. Thus he continued to approach, step by step, with apparent fear, and yet evidently impelled by an ungovernable curiosity, until he was scarce a hundred yards distant from the prostrate form of the trapper. Still he was moving stealthily onward, when suddenly a red tongue of fire spouted from the grass, and, as the sharp crack of Biddon’s rifle reached us, we saw the antelope give a wild leap into the air, and, bounding a short distance, fall to the ground. The trapper immediately sprang to his feet and hastened to the fallen animal. “Let us ride to him,” said I, walking my horse onward. We had ridden a short distance when Nat halted and asked: “What’s got into Biddon? Just look at him!” I did look up, and for a moment believed the man had turned crazy. He had seen us approaching, and was now making furious gesticulations toward us. I watched him a moment, and then remarked: “He is either signaling for us to come on or to stop.” “He means us to wait, I guess, and we had better pause until he returns.” We reined in our horses and watched him. He was apparently satisfied with our stopping, and stooped and commenced working at the animal. In a few moments he arose, and slinging a huge piece on his shoulder, made his way into the grove. From this he emerged in due time, and made his way toward us, motioning, meanwhile, for us to remain in our places. “Why didn’t you wish us to approach?” I asked, as soon as he came within speaking distance. He made no answer, but throwing his meat upon the ground, hastily mounted his horse. Then he spoke in a deep whisper: “Boys, did you ’spose there’s over twenty redskins among them trees?” “Heavens! it isn’t possible?” I exclaimed, catching my breath. “It’s so; I seed ’em, and thar eyes are on us this minute. They’re waitin’ for us to go on, an’ they’ll give us thunder and lightnin’.” “What’s to be done?” queried Nat. “Jes’ keep still, an’ don’t kick up, or they’ll see it. We’ve got to make a run for it. Keep close to me, and when I start, let your horses went.” “But the meat?” I hurriedly asked. “Can’t take it. We have a long run, an’ our horses won’t want to carry no extra load. I didn’t see thar animals, but I guess they ain’t mounted. Ready!”