heels in a well-directed fling against the head of
the foremost horse! The steed instantly wheels, and the other coming
behind follows the same movement, exposing both the riders to our aim.
They make an effort to throw themselves to the other side of their
animals; but the opportunity is lost. Our rifles are too quick for
them. Two of us fire at the same instant; and as the smoke clears away,
the red robbers are seen sprawling upon the plain. Our shots have
proved fatal. Before we can reload, the struggles of the fallen
horsemen have ended; and both lie motionless upon the grass.

The lesson was sufficient for the time. Warned by the fate of their
comrades, the Indians, although still continuing their noisy
demonstrations, now kept well out of the range of our rifles. There
appeared to be no others in the band, desirous of achieving fame at such
a risk of life.

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN.

OUR WEAK POINT.

For some time the savage horsemen continued their circling gallop around
the butte--one occasionally swooping nearer; but covered by the body of
his horse in such a way that it was impossible to sight him. These
manoeuvres were executed by the young warriors, apparently in a spirit
of bravado, and with the design of showing off their courage and
equestrian skill. We disregarded the harmless demonstrations, watching
them only when made in the direction of our animals. At intervals a
hideous face peeping over the withers of a horse, offered a tempting
target. My comrades would have tried a flying shot had I not restrained
them. A miss would have damaged our prestige in the eyes of the enemy.
It was of importance that they should continue to believe in the
infallibility of the fire-weapon.

After a time, we observed a change of tactics. The galloping slackened,
and soon came to an end. The horsemen threw themselves into small
groups, at nearly equal distances apart, and forming a ring round the
butte. Most of the riders then dismounted, a few only remaining upon
their horses, and continuing to dash backward and forward, from group to
group. These groups were beyond the range of our rifles, though not of
the sergeant's musket. But the savages--both mounted and afoot--had
taken care to make ramparts of their steeds. At first, this manoeuvre
of our enemies appeared to have no other object than that of placing
themselves in a position to guard against our retreat. A moment's
reflection, however, told