."

"If you think they are going to attack us, Jerry, hadn't we better rouse
the camp at once, and notify Magoffin's people?"

"We'd better just tend to ourselves, and let other folks do the same; and
as to rousin' the camp, why them boys is a heap better off asleep than
they would be round here. That's a nice sort of a guard, ain't it?" said
Jerry, pointing to Hal, who was slumbering soundly near the fire. "That's
just what he was doin' when I got up; and on his watch too. We can git
along without any such help as thet. Air your shootin'-irons reddy?"

Before I had time to reply to his question, the sharp, shrill war-whoop of
the Comanches fell upon our ears, ringing out on the still night air with
a yell fiendish enough to paralyze the stoutest heart. For a single
instant it lasted, and then the most unearthly din that can possibly be
imagined filled the air; while the neighing of horses, the braying of
mules, beating of drums, and discordant jangle of bells, accompanied by
an occasional discharge of firearms, rendered the scene as near
pandemonium as it is possible to conceive.

We saw a dozen or more dusky forms coming towards us, and Jerry and
myself raised our rifles and fired.

Hal, Ned, and the teamsters were by this time awake; the latter being
obliged to give their whole attention to the animals, which were making
frantic exertions to escape.

The boys rushed in the most frightened manner from one place to another,
--not knowing what to do or where to go,--only adding to the terrible
confusion; until, by Jerry's direction, they ensconced themselves under
one of the wagons, with orders not to leave it without express
permission.

CHAPTER II.

As the Indians swept by us, like a whirlwind, Jerry exclaimed, "Them
ain't nothin' but a pack of thieves, tryin' to stampede our stock. If
ther boys tied them mules squar, they hain't made nothin' out 'er us,
that's sartain. You youngsters 'd better show yourselves, for there ain't
no more danger to-night."

At the sound of Jerry's voice, the boys came out from under the wagon,
both looking exceedingly foolish.

"I'll never get under a wagon again, if you do order me to," said Hal,
turning towards Jerry. "It was a shame to send me under there when I
wasn't scart a particle."

"Oh! you wasn't, hey? Wal, I'm glad to hear you say that, for mebbe you
won't object to go down and count ther stock; for I've an idee that we
shall find just about ez many mules gone