tainly shall not consent to any blood being shed," interposed Mr.
Duncan, "without provocation. We wish to be on friendly terms with all
the tribes, and will not do anything that will have a tendency to
irritate them."

"Yonder, the Crows, in numbers, await the signal of their chief, to
drink the blood of my brothers, and carry their wives and children
prisoners to their wigwams; when this is done, it will be too late to
strike a blow. But it shall not be; see, yonder in the thicket, a
hundred Arapahoe warriors are panting for the onset. The children of
the 'Great Medicine' shall be saved. They are in Whirlwind's hunting
grounds, and he will protect them." So saying, the irritated Chieftain
turned on his heel, and strode away, pausing to collect his arms, when
he disappeared in the thicket.

A council was immediately held in camp; but before any decision was
determined upon, a deafening war-whoop was heard from the hills, at the
same moment the battle-cry of the Arapahoes broke from the thickets
around the camp. Then a charge was heard and the combatants' yells,
shrieks and groans were mingled with the fierce war-whoop, as the
Indians rushed on each other. The Crows astounded to find they were
confronted by their deadly foes, at first broke and retreated; but the
taunting jibes of the Arapahoes as they pressed on them aroused the
demon in their natures, and turning, they charged on their pursuers,
driving them back before them, towards the camp, at the same moment
making the forest re-echo their cry of victory. Howe heard the hoarse
note, as it swelled fiercely on the air, and springing from the camp,
cried, "Come! now is our time: follow me!" and dashing into the forest,
followed by Mr. Duncan, Sidney and Lewis, he met the retreating
Arapahoes who, encouraged by this timely assistance, faced about, and
the rifles of the pioneers telling with fearful effect, caused the
Crows to fly with terror; and as their pursuers loaded running, the
constant volleys prevented the Crows rallying, and in a few minutes the
whole band was either killed, wounded or dispersed through the forest.

"Back to your camp, there is trouble there," cried Whirlwind, "my
braves will pursue the Crows," and calling a dozen warriors to his
side, he bade them follow on with him after the pioneers.

When the Crows gave the cry of victory, about a dozen of them rushed
through to secure the whites prisoners, and having been unobserved by
the Arapahoes,