instant
after, appeared coming on in the direction of the butte! The movement
was easily accounted for. My imprudence had betrayed our presence. I
had been seen while standing on the summit of the mound! I felt regret
for my own rashness; but there was no time to indulge in the feeling,
and I stifled it. The moment called for action--demanding all the
firmness of nerve and coolness of head which, fortunately, I had
acquired by the experience of similar arises. Instead of shouting to my
comrades--as yet unconscious of the approaching danger--I remained upon
the summit without uttering a word, or showing a sign that might alarm
them. My object in so acting was to avoid the confusion, consequent
upon a sudden panic, and keep my mind free to think over some plan of
escape. The Indians were still five miles off. It would be some
minutes at least before they could attack us. Two or three of these
could be spared for reflection. After that, it would be time to call in
the counsel of my companions.

I am here describing in detail, and with the tranquillity of closet
retrospect, thoughts that follow one another with the rapidity of
lightning flashes. To say that I reflected coolly, would not be true: I
was at that moment too much under the influence of fear for tranquil
reflection. I perceived at once that the situation was more than
dangerous: it was desperate. Flight was my first thought, or rather my
first instinct: for, on reflection, it failed. The idea was to fling
off the packs, mount the two pedestrians upon the mules, and gallop back
for the canon. The conception was good enough, if it could have been
carried out, but of this there was no hope. The defile was too distant
to be reached in time. The two who might ride the mules could never
make it--they must fall by the way. Even if all four of us should
succeed in getting back to the canon, what then? Was it likely we
should ever emerge from it? We might for a time defend ourselves within
its narrow gorge; but to pass clear through and escape at the other end
would be impossible. A party of our pursuers would be certain to take
over the ridge, and head us below. To anticipate them in their arrival
there, and reach the woods beyond, would be utterly out of our power.
The trail through the canon was full of obstacles, as we had already
discovered--and these would delay us. Without a prospect of reaching
the forest below it would be of no use attemp