When a thief thus succeeds in effecting an entrance, his chief danger is past.

He rises boldly to his feet, and wrapping his blanket or buffalo robe round him, he walks up and down as if he were a member of the tribe.

At the same time he dexterously cuts the lariats of such horses as he observes are not hobbled.

He dare not stoop to cut the hobbles, as the action would be observed, and suspicion would be instantly aroused.

He then leaps on the best horse he can find, and uttering a terrific war-whoop darts away into the plains, driving the loosened horses before him.
No such dark thieves were supposed to be near the camp under the birch-tree, however, so Joe, and Dick, and Henri ate their supper in comfort, and let their horses browse at will on the rich pasturage.
A bright ruddy fire was soon kindled, which created, as it were, a little ball of light in the midst of surrounding darkness for the special use of our hardy hunters.