extraordinary matter for them to appear
as if almost deranged. Their excitement breaks out into exclamations
of encouragement and applause, until at last they can control
themselves no longer, and, on their own account, commence making
bodily demonstrations of joy by jumping about. The scalp dance may
last an entire night, or until, worn down with fatigue, the actors are
willing to forego their pleasure and seek rest. The Mexicans on the
frontiers have fallen into this Indian custom, and they can go into
the spirit of the scalp dance with a relish which fully equals that
exhibited by their savage neighbors. This is not true as a general
rule; but, very many of their people really enjoy these ceremonies.

[Illustration: INDIAN WAR DANCE.]

Colonel Fauntleroy and his men traveled at such a rapid pace, that, in
the course of a very few days, they succeeded in once more overtaking
the main village belonging to the enemy. The Indians took refuge in a
steep and rocky mountain. A skirmishing fight immediately commenced,
which lasted several hours. During this engagement, a large number of
the savage warriors were killed, their band completely routed, and the
inhabitants of the whole village made to scatter in every direction
in order to save their lives. At first the braves attempted to make a
stand, but they were driven from rock to rock, until they broke their
ranks and fled. It was about the time of this crisis, and when they
were most needed, that the dragoon horses began to break down and die.

The word village has many times appeared in our pages, and as it may
prove ambiguous to a few of our readers and render them liable to
confound its meaning with that of a fixed town, we will here stop and
explain its signification when applied to Indians. An Indian village,
as understood in border parlance, comprises the lodges, the women,
children, old men, and such movable property as Indians may chance
to possess. They are usually found in some safe retreat where the old
men, women and children stay while the warriors are engaged following
the hunt or war path. The word has become more generalized since
it was first given to stationary camps of the savages, and may
now include any band of Indians traveling with their families and
property. The village is the home of the red man, where those persons
and things which he most cherishes, he tries to keep intact and sacred
from the spoiler's hand. It is also where the Indian allows