answer their
purpose of frightening their enemies, by the idea that having white men
among them they were invincible. Should we, therefore, be able to make
a bold stand, we hoped to sicken them of the attempt to recover us.

"Reserve your fire lads," cried Charley, "don't pull a trigger until you
are certain of your man. If we can manage to knock over half a dozen or
so, before they get close up to our fortification, the rest will
probably run away and give up the pursuit."

We were still engaged in stopping up gaps here and there, when we caught
sight through the gloom, for day had not yet broken, of a dozen or more
dark figures at the foot of the hill. They were apparently looking
about to ascertain what had become of us. They seemed to suspect where
we were, but were still uncertain. Some then went on ahead to see if we
had gone in that direction, while the rest remained where we first
discovered them. We might have shot four of the first party, as they
were full in our view; but Charley told us in a whisper to refrain from
firing, as they were not actually attacking us, and might, it was
possible, be peaceably disposed. We could see them clearly enough in
the open, although they could not perceive us, sheltered as we were, by
the rocks and brushwood. The sky was now becoming brighter towards the
east, and in a short time the sun would rise, and we should probably be
seen. Just then the men who had gone on returned, and shouting to their
companions told them that we were not ahead. Others were also coming up
from the southward, we could count nearly fifty of them, while further
reinforcements could be perceived in the distance. It was evident that
they were resolved on an attack. Bending their bows, they sent a flight
of arrows against the rock. We received it with a well-directed fire,
which killed four of our opponents, whom we saw tumbling down the hill.
This checked the advance, but others who had hitherto been in the rear,
pushed on with loud shouts and cries, urging on the van to a renewed
attack. We had quickly reloaded behind the rock, and waiting until
another flight of arrows had been harmlessly showered on it, we jumped
up, and again we all fired together with the same effect as before.
Without stopping to see who was killed, our enemies rushed pell mell
down the hill, tumbling over each other, while the more prudent ones,
who had kept in the rear, also turned and took to flight.

"Give the