must
take post behind his horse, and when the savages come on we must wait
until they get near enough to afford us a sure mark."

"We will follow Pierre's advice," said Dick, "but we will wait to
ascertain whether they have hostile intentions or not. Our best plan is
to proceed steadily on as if we were not conscious of their presence."

We continued, therefore, riding forward, so as to pass the hill about
the eighth of a mile on our right, keeping a careful watch on the
Redskins. Suddenly there was a movement among them, and out dashed
several horsemen. Sweeping around the hill, they approached us. We
lost not a moment, and, placing ourselves as arranged, we stood with our
rifles ready to receive them. On they came, shrieking at the top of
their voices and uttering their war-cries, until they got almost within
shot. Seeing this we presented our rifles, but, just at the moment that
we were about to fire, the warriors threw themselves over on the
opposite side of their horses, and, sweeping by like a whirlwind,
discharged their guns.

Although it was a fine exhibition of horsemanship, the fellows,
evidently afraid of us, had kept too far off for their object, and the
bullets fell short. At the same moment Armitage, Story, and Pierre
fired. Armitage's bullet struck the horse of the leading brave, which
however still galloped on. Story wounded the next warrior, who turning
tail rejoined his companions, while the third--who had lifted up his
head to take better aim--got a bullet through it from Pierre's unerring
rifle. He fell to the ground, along which he was dragged by his horse,
which followed the one immediately before it.

Seeing what had befallen their leaders, the other Indians, who were
riding furiously towards us, reined in their steeds, considering
discretion the better part of valour.

"We must not trust to the fellows," cried Dick; "we must hold our ground
until they move off."

It was fortunate we did so, for in a short time the whole troop, gaining
courage and hoping to frighten us with war-whoops, came sweeping down
upon us. Fortunately but few had fire-arms, and their powder was none
of the best. Their arrows fell short, while their bullets, which struck
our saddles, failed to pierce them. I got a slight graze on my cheek,
and a piece of lead went through Charley's cap.

Our rifles in the meantime returned the salute in good earnest. Three
of us only fired at a time, and three Indians