Informal Chapters on Painters, Vaudeville, and Poets | Page 9

to within a quarter of a mile or so from the height, when we
saw that the Indians had divined our intention, a party of them, who
must have made a wide circuit, having already taken possession of it.
"Never mind, boys," said Dick in a cheery voice--"we can fight them if
they are in a fighting mood just as well on the plains as on the top of
yonder hill. They probably think that all our powder is lost, and expect
to gain an easy victory."
"It will be wise to dismount, messieurs," said Pierre. "Each man must
take post behind his horse, and when the savages come on we must
wait until they get near enough to afford us a sure mark."
"We will follow Pierre's advice," said Dick, "but we will wait to
ascertain whether they have hostile intentions or not. Our best plan is to
proceed steadily on as if we were not conscious of their presence."
We continued, therefore, riding forward, so as to pass the hill about the
eighth of a mile on our right, keeping a careful watch on the Redskins.
Suddenly there was a movement among them, and out dashed several
horsemen. Sweeping around the hill, they approached us. We lost not a
moment, and, placing ourselves as arranged, we stood with our rifles
ready to receive them. On they came, shrieking at the top of their
voices and uttering their war-cries, until they got almost within shot.
Seeing this we presented our rifles, but, just at the moment that we
were about to fire, the warriors threw themselves over on the opposite
side of their horses, and, sweeping by like a whirlwind, discharged their
guns.
Although it was a fine exhibition of horsemanship, the fellows,
evidently afraid of us, had kept too far off for their object, and the

bullets fell short. At the same moment Armitage, Story, and Pierre fired.
Armitage's bullet struck the horse of the leading brave, which however
still galloped on. Story wounded the next warrior, who turning tail
rejoined his companions, while the third--who had lifted up his head to
take better aim--got a bullet through it from Pierre's unerring rifle. He
fell to the ground, along which he was dragged by his horse, which
followed the one immediately before it.
Seeing what had befallen their leaders, the other Indians, who were
riding furiously towards us, reined in their steeds, considering
discretion the better part of valour.
"We must not trust to the fellows," cried Dick; "we must hold our
ground until they move off."
It was fortunate we did so, for in a short time the whole troop, gaining
courage and hoping to frighten us with war-whoops, came sweeping
down upon us. Fortunately but few had fire-arms, and their powder was
none of the best. Their arrows fell short, while their bullets, which
struck our saddles, failed to pierce them. I got a slight graze on my
cheek, and a piece of lead went through Charley's cap.
Our rifles in the meantime returned the salute in good earnest. Three of
us only fired at a time, and three Indians were hit--one of whom was
killed outright, though his companions managed to drag off his body.
Still the odds were greatly against us. Had we been well supplied with
ammunition we should have had no fear as to the result of the
encounter, but we dared not fire a shot more than was absolutely
necessary.
Notwithstanding the way we had handled them, the Indians did not
appear inclined to give up the contest, but, after wheeling out of reach
of our rifles, again halted.
"They have had enough of it, I should think," observed Story.
"I'm not so sure of that," answered Dick, "our scalps, our horses, and
our fire-arms, are too tempting prizes to allow the rascals to let us

escape if they fancy that they can get possession of them. See, here they
come again!"
As he spoke the whole troop, giving utterance to a terrific war-whoop,
passed ahead of us, and then, wheeling round, dashed forward at full
speed to attack us on the opposite side. As they got within range, half
our number, as before, fired. Three more of them appeared to be hit,
and one, evidently a chief, fell from his saddle.
The Redskins had had enough of it, and the rest, crawling round the
chief, bore him off. Away they went fleet as the wind. I felt very much
inclined to follow. Dick advised us to remain where we were to see
what they would do. At length we were satisfied that they had received
a lesson by which they were likely to profit, and that they would not
again venture to attack us, unless they could take us by surprise. We