&c.

Cautiously Howe and Whirlwind crept onward, and coming within pistol
shot of the blazing camp fires of the Tabagauches, discovered that they
were full two hundred strong, probably, a war party, in search of
adventure, intending to fall unawares on some neighbouring tribes. By
the middle fire, in the centre of a group of some twenty savages, were
Jane and Edward, looking pale and wearied. A little behind them, on the
ground, with stoic-like indifference, sat five Crows, the remainder of
their captors; but now like themselves prisoners. Evidently, their fate
was being decided upon. As cautiously as they went the scouts returned
to the pine grove, and decided to make an immediate attack for the
recovery of the captives. There were eleven Arapahoe warriors with
their chief, and these, together with Mr. Duncan, Howe, Sidney, and
Lewis, made fifteen, all well armed and mounted.

Led by Howe and Whirlwind, they noiselessly gained a place where they
could obtain a fair view of the enemy, who were in high altercation on
some point on which they seemed to be divided.

"Now is our time," said Howe. "Let every gun be discharged when I give
the signal, and every one mark his man. Fall into a line, and bring
your rifles to bear on the right hand savage of the centre group, and
you the next, so on down the line that no two shots be aimed at one
Indian, for we have none to lose. Now, are you all ready?" said Howe,
running his eye from his little band to the foes, who stood revealed by
their blazing fires perfectly distinct, but entirely unconscious of the
danger that menaced them. Not a word was spoken, but Howe knew all was
right; then, in a low distinct tone, he gave the word "_fire_." There
was but one crack of rifles heard, so simultaneously every gun was
discharged, and as they were discharged, fifteen Tabagauches fell dead,
with scarcely a sound uttered. "Quick! fire again!" said Howe, "mark
your men, the savages are stupefied." Aiming their rifles on the
instant, fifteen more fell dead.

Their second fire revealed to the Tabagauches the direction whence the
attack proceeded, and with maddening yells of rage they sprang after
them.

"Save yourselves;" cried Howe, but he had no need to give the order,
for every one had placed a tree between himself and his foes, according
to the custom of warfare with Indians, and as they came on, every
moment, one or more fell by their unerring aim. They had the advantage,
for the Ta