ve us. None of us had any great faith in the
doctor as a guard, but his watch was during the least dangerous time of
night, so far as Indians are concerned. These never make their attack
until the hours after midnight, as they know well that these are the
hours of soundest sleep. The horse-drive of the previous night was an
exception, but that had happened because they had drawn near and seen no
horse-guard. It was a very unusual case. They knew that we were now on
the alert; and if they had meditated farther mischief, would have
attempted it only after midnight hour. We had no apprehensions
therefore, and one and all of us being very much fatigued with the day's
hunting afoot, slept soundly. The bank against which we rested was dry
and comfortable; the fire warmed us well, and redoubled our desire for
repose.

It appears that the doctor fell asleep on his post, or else we might all
of us have been better prepared for the invasion that we suffered during
that night.

I was awakened by loud shouts--the guides were uttering them. I sprang
to my feet in the full belief that we were attacked by Indians, and at
first thought caught hold of my gun. All my companions were roused
about the same time, and, labouring under a similar hallucination, went
through a like series of manoeuvres.

But when we looked up, and beheld the doctor stretched along the ridge,
and still snoring soundly, we scarce knew what to make of it.

Ike and Redwood, however, accustomed to sleep with one eye open, had
waked first, and had already climbed the ridge; and the double report of
their guns confirmed our suspicions that we were attacked by Indians.
What else could they be firing at?

"This way all of you!" cried Redwood, making signs for us to come up
where he and his companion already were, waving their guns around their
heads, and acting in a very singular manner, "this way, bring your guns,
pistols, and all--quick with you!"

We all dashed up the steep, just at the moment that the doctor suddenly
awaking ran terrified down. As we pressed up, we could hear a mingling
of noises, the tramp of horsemen as we thought, and a loud bellowing, as
if from a hundred bulls. The last sounds could not well have been more
like the bellowing of bulls, for in reality it was such. The night was
a bright moonlight, and the moment we raised our heads above the scarp
of the ridge we saw at once the cause of our alarm. The plain around us
was blac