o
was riding ahead of the wagons, came rushing back with the information
that there was a large body of Indians a short distance in advance of us.

"It's the balance of them cusses that had the boys, as true as preachin,"
exclaimed Jerry. "The sneaks! I s'pose they found out all they wanted to
from 'em, and then let 'em go. Ther best thing we kin do is ter camp
right here whar we've got water and grass, and git ready for a brush;
'cause they'll fight us, if ther's any show for 'em, you bet."

"We'll jist camp right on this knoll, and then we shall have a fair
chance all round; get your animals corralled with the wagons, and then
we'll ride out and meet 'em, that is, we must keep 'em as far away from
the wagons as possible."

Everything was soon arranged; but, to our surprise, the Indians made no
attack.

[Illustration: The Comanche's Attack.]

Jerry, myself and Hal rode out towards the spot where we had seen them,
and a very few moments served to convince us that they meant business;
for they were scattered, with the evident intention of surrounding us.

"That won't work," said Jerry. "We'll just go back to the wagons and stay
there and fight it out on our own dung-hill. There ain't more'n a dozen
of 'em, and, ef we can't lick that number of thievin' Comanches, we don't
desarve to git to California, no how."

We had hardly returned to the wagons before the Indians began to show
their tactics by riding around us in a circle, each time coming nearer
and nearer, until finally, when within easy range, they threw themselves
over upon the sides of their horses and let fly a shower of arrows, that
fell among us without doing any harm, other than frightening the stock.

"Don't a man of yer fire till I giv the order, and when they come abreast
of us agin give it to 'em with your rifles; but don't one of yer waste a
shot."

Once more we saw them coming--saw them preparing to throw themselves over
to shoot from under their horses' necks, and--

"Now for it," cried Jerry, "give it to 'em!" and we forthwith gave them a
volley that caused two of their number to fall headlong to the ground.
This brought the party to a halt, and they retreated out of the range of
our rifles, for the purpose of holding a consultation.

While they were thus engaged, one of the Mexicans called Jerry's
attention to a solitary Indian who was approaching our wagons from the
rear. Jerry immediately pronounced him to be the Arapahoe, whom we had
s