e were thankful when, having crossed a
stream, we got into a more cheerful tract of country. Here Pierre
advised that we should be doubly on our guard, as in all probability the
Indians themselves had fired the grass, either to burn us, or to deprive
us of our beasts of burden, as they succeeded in doing, that we might
the more easily fall into their hands, but that such was the case it was
difficult to say. Perhaps, when they found us strongly posted, they had
considered it prudent not to attack us.

We had started before day-break, and proposed halting for a couple of
hours to breakfast and rest our beasts, when, just as the rich glow
which ushers in the rising sun had suffused the sky, one of the Indians,
addressing Pierre, pointed to the south-west.

"What is it he says?" I asked.

"Indians!" answered Pierre, "on foot and on horseback, and no small
number of them. We must be prepared for them, messieurs; for, if I
mistake not, they are Coomanches, and they are difficult customers to
deal with in the open. If we were within a stockade, we should quickly
send them to the right about, though, as they stand in awe of our
rifles, it is a question whether they will attack us as long as we show
a bold front."

"It is of little use to show a bold front in the centre of a wild
prairie, with a hundred howling savages galloping about one," I thought
to myself.

However, none of our party were men to flinch. By Pierre's advice we
rode steadily forward. There was a slight elevation at some distance,
with a small lake beyond it. Buntin, who took the lead, proposed that
we should try to gain it, as it would give us an advantage over our
nimble foes, as, while they were ascending its steep sides, we could
shoot them down without difficulty. On we rode therefore as fast as we
could venture to go, for it was important not to blow our horses, lest
we should have to come to an encounter with the Redskins.

We had got to within a quarter of a mile or so from the height, when we
saw that the Indians had divined our intention, a party of them, who
must have made a wide circuit, having already taken possession of it.

"Never mind, boys," said Dick in a cheery voice--"we can fight them if
they are in a fighting mood just as well on the plains as on the top of
yonder hill. They probably think that all our powder is lost, and
expect to gain an easy victory."

"It will be wise to dismount, messieurs," said Pierre. "Each man