hite men noticed that the Indians were arrayed in
their war costume, showing that they were bound on another plundering
expedition. Everything went to show that the visit which the white men
were making to their mountain haunts was unexpected by the red men.

The Indians quickly recovered from their astonishment and began to
form in line of battle by spreading themselves out across the
valley. They were evidently emboldened by the small force with which,
apparently, they had to contend, and felt certain that a victory would
be both easy and sure. Having taken their position, Blanco, their
chief, was easily recognized by the red woolen shirt which he wore. He
was busy, riding along in front of his warriors, occasionally stopping
to give some command. As they were near enough so to do, the Indians
opened a warfare of small talk, in the Spanish language. They charged
their adversaries with being afraid to advance, or to use their
expressive words, the Americans were as cowardly as squaws. To these
taunts no reply was made; but to keep up the decoy, the few soldiers
who were exposed to view, remained stationary, while word was passed
to the rear of what was transpiring in the advance. Thus several
minutes passed by; but they were not thrown away. During this time,
most of the dragoons and volunteers were relieving themselves of
such extra luggage as overcoats, blankets, etc.; saddle girths were
tightened and weapons put in order for immediate use. The Indians were
finely mounted, and about two hundred and fifty strong; and, as their
wild career had gone so long unchecked, their bravery was aroused to
its highest pitch. All things being in readiness, the bugles sounded
the command to charge, when away dashed the gallant soldiers, eager
for the affray, and each trying to be foremost in the fight. As they
came bounding over the knoll before spoken of, the Indians began
to see the delusion under which they had been laboring, and at once
turned to fly, but not in time to escape, for the soldiers were soon
among them and with their revolvers and small arms were fast thinning
their ranks and sending many a brave to his final home. A running
fight ensued, which was continued up the valley for about eight miles,
when a majority of the Indians gained the mountains and made good
their escape. The chase was a splendid affair to behold, and many
feats of horsemanship were performed that would be difficult to excel.
Among the foremost in