us--thus set afoot
upon the prairie at such a distance from the settlements, and at such a
season--was perfectly appalling. We should have to walk every inch of
the way--carry our food, and everything else, upon our backs. Perhaps
we might not be too much burdened with food. That depended upon very
precarious circumstances--upon our hunting luck. Our "stock" in the
waggon was reduced to only a few days' rations, and of course would go
but a few days with us, while we had many to provide for.

These thoughts were after-reflections--thoughts of the next morning.
During that night we thought only of the Indians, for of course we did
not as yet believe they had left us for good. We did not return to
sleep by the fire--that would have been very foolishness. Some went
back to get their arms in order, and then returning we all lay along the
edge of the bluff, where the path led into the bottom, and watched the
prairie until the morning. We lay in silence, or only muttering our
thoughts to one another.

I have said until the morning. That is not strictly true, for before
the morning that succeeded that _noche triste_ broke upon us, another
cruel misfortune befel us, which still farther narrowed the
circumstances that surrounded us. I have already stated that the
herbage of the creek bottom was coarse. It consisted of long grass,
interspersed with briars and bunches of wild pea vines, with here and
there a growth of scrubby wood. It was difficult to get through it,
except by paths made by the buffalo and other animals. At this season
of the year the thick growth of annuals was now a mass of withered
stems, parched by the hot suns of autumn until they were as dry as
tinder.

While engaged in our anxious vigil upon the plain above, we had not
given a thought either to our camp or the large fire we had left there.

All at once our attention was directed to the latter by a loud crackling
noise that sounded in our ears. We sprang to our feet, and looked into
the valley behind us. The camp was on fire!

The brush was kindled all around it, and blazed to the height of several
feet. We could see the blaze reflected from the white canvas both of
waggon and tents, and in a few seconds these were licked into the hot
flames, and disappeared from our view.

Of course we made no effort to save them. That would have been an idle
and foolish attempt. We could not have approached the spot, without the
almost certain dange