slowly
that they scarcely appeared to move.

"Do not fire, friends, until you can take good aim," cried my father, as
the enemy got within distant rifle range. "It is just what they wish us
to do; then they will come charging down upon us, in the hope of finding
our rifles unloaded. Better let them come sufficiently near to see their
eyes; alternate men of you only fire."

The savages were armed only with bows and spears; still they could shoot
their arrows, we knew, when galloping at full speed.

At a sign from one of their leaders they suddenly put their horses to
full speed, at the same time giving vent to what I can only describe as
a mingling of shrieks and shouts and howls, forming the terrific Indian
war-whoop. They were mistaken, however, if they expected to frighten our
sturdy backwoodsmen. The first of our men fired when they were about
twenty yards off. Several of the red warriors were knocked over, but the
rest came on, shooting their arrows, and fancying that they had to
attack men with empty firearms. The second shots were full in their
faces, telling therefore with great effect; while our people raised a
shout, which, if not as shrill, was almost as telling as that of the
Indian war-whoop. The first men who had fired were ramming away with all
their might to reload, and were able to deliver a second fire; while
those who had pistols discharged them directly afterwards.

The Indians, supposing that our party, although we had but few waggons,
must be far more numerous than they had expected, wheeled round without
attempting to break through the barricade, and galloped off at full
speed,--not even attempting to pick up those who had fallen.

The women and children, with Clarice, I should have said, had been
protected by a barricade of bales and chests; so that, although a number
of arrows had flown into our enclosure, not one of them was hurt.

On looking at my father, I saw that he was paler than usual; and what
was my dismay to find that an arrow had entered his side! It was quickly
cut out, although the operation caused him much suffering. He declared,
however, that it was only a flesh wound, and not worth taking into
consideration.

The Indians being still near us, we thought it only too probable that we
should again be attacked. And, indeed, our anticipations were soon fully
realized. In less than half an hour, after having apparently been
reinforced, they once more came on, but this time with th