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manners and was a man of action rather than of unnecessary words。
Behind the veil of Indian reticence he had an inexhausti… ble fund of wit
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and humor； but this part of his character only appeared before his family
and very intimate friends。 Few men know nature more thoroughly than
he。 Nothing irritated him more than to hear some natural fact
misrepresented。 I have often thought that with education he might have
made a Darwin or an Agassiz。
He was always modest and unconscious of self in relating his
adventures。 〃I have often been forced to realize my danger；〃 he used to
say； 〃but not in such a way as to overwhelm me。 Only twice in my life
have I been really frightened； and for an instant lost my presence of mind。
〃Once I was in full pursuit of a large buck deer that I had wounded。 It
was winter； and there was a very heavy fall of fresh snow upon the ground。
All at once I came upon the body of the deer lying dead on the snow。 I
began to make a hasty examination； but before I had made any discoveries；
I spied the tips of two ears peep… ing just above the surface of the snow
about twenty feet from me。 I made a feint of not see… ing anything at all；
but moved quickly in the direction of my gun； which was leaning against a
tree。 Feeling； somehow； that I was about to be taken advantage of； I
snatched at the same mo… ment my knife from my belt。
〃The panther （for such it was） made a sudden and desperate spring。 I
tried to dodge； but he was too quick for me。 He caught me by the
shoulder with his great paw； and threw me down。 Somehow； he did not
retain his hold； but made an… other leap and again concealed himself in the
snow。 Evidently he was preparing to make a fresh attack。
〃I was partially stunned and greatly confused by the blow； therefore I
should have been an easy prey for him at the moment。 But when he left
me； I came to my senses； and I had been thrown near my gun！ I arose and
aimed between the tips of his earsall that was visible of himand fired。
I saw the fresh snow fly from the spot。 The panther leaped about six feet
straight up into the air； and fell motionless。 I gave two good war…
whoops； because I had conquered a very formid… able enemy。 I sat down
on the dead body to rest； and my heart beat as if it would knock out all my
ribs。 I had not been expecting any danger； and that was why I was so
taken by surprise。
〃The other time was on the plains； in summer。 I was accustomed to
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hunting in the woods； and never before had hunted buffalo on horseback。
Be… ing a young man； of course I was eager to do what… ever other men did。
Therefore I saddled my pony for the hunt。 I had a swift pony and a good
gun； but on this occasion I preferred a bow and arrows。
〃It was the time of year when the buffalo go in large herds and the
bulls are vicious。 But this did not trouble me at all； indeed； I thought of
nothing but the excitement and honor of the chase。
〃A vast plain near the Souris river was literally covered with an
immense herd。 The day was fair； and we came up with them very easily。
I had a quiver full of arrows； with a sinew…backed bow。
〃My pony carried me in far ahead of all the oth… ers。 I found myself
in the midst of the bulls first； for they are slow。 They threw toward me
vicious glances； so I hastened my pony on to the cows。 Soon I was
enveloped in a thick cloud of dust； and completely surrounded by the herd；
who were by this time in the act of fleeing； their hoofs making a noise like
thunder。
〃I could not think of anything but my own sit… uation； which confused
me for the moment。 It seemed to me to be a desperate one。 If my pony；
which was going at full speed； should step into a badger hole； I should be
thrown to the ground and trampled under foot in an instant。 If I were to
stop； they would knock me over； pony and all。 Again； it seemed as if my
horse must fall from sheer exhaustion； and then what would become of
me？
〃At last I awoke to a calm realization of my own power。 I uttered a
yell and began to shoot right and left。 Very soon there were only a few
old bulls who remained near me。 The herd had scattered； and I was miles
away from my companions。
〃It is when we think of our personal danger that we are apt to be at a
loss to do the best thing un… der the circumstances。 One should be
unconscious of self in order to do his duty。 We are very apt to think
ourselves brave； when we are most timid。 I have discovered that half our
young men give the war…whoop when they are frightened； because they
fear lest their silence may betray their state of mind。 I think we are really
bravest when most calm and slow to action。〃
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I urged my uncle to tell me more of his adven… tures。
〃Once；〃 said he； 〃I had a somewhat peculiar experience； which I think
I never related to you before。 It was at the time of the fall hunt。 One
afternoon when I was alone I discovered that I was too far away to reach
the camp before dark； so I looked about for a good place to spend the night。
This was on the Upper Missouri； before there were any white people there；
and when we were in con… stant danger from wild beasts as well as from
hos… tile Indians。 It was necessary to use every pre… caution and the
utmost vigilance。
〃I selected a spot which appeared to be well adapted to defense。 I
had killed two deer； and I hung up pieces of the meat at certain distances
in various directions。 I knew that any wolf would stop for the meat； A
grizzly bear would some… times stop； but not a mountain lion or a panther。
Therefore I made a fire。 Such an animal would be apt to attack a solitary
fire。 There was a full moon that night； which was much in my favor。
〃Having cooked and eaten some of the venison； I rolled myself in my
blanket and lay down by the fire； taking my Ishtahbopopa f