There was a few moments' pause as the one man crept painfully back, and
then about a dozen of the Indians dismounted and joined in driving the
frantic ponies that were galloping about through an opening made for
them by the waiting band.

This done the party remounted, and set up another furious yell to
frighten the defenders from their posts.

Needless to say, this was as vain as the next and larger flight of
arrows, which splintered amongst the stones or glanced off to fly far
overhead.

There was no firing now by the defenders, for the need was not urgent.
"Let them exhaust themselves," cried the doctor, "and find out that
their efforts are vain."

Still there was no lack of bravery amongst the savages, who, some twenty
strong, being as many as could act in the narrow gully, charged home
again, directly after sending in their arrows, and accompanying the
beating of their ponies' hoofs with yell after yell.

This time there was no waiting on the part of the defenders, who began
firing as soon as the advance commenced, with the result that several
Indians dropped, to encumber the way and unsettle the serried band of
plunging steeds, while the rest, on breasting the rocks, recoiled, and
in a state of panic turned, regardless of yells and blows, to gallop
back after the fashion of their kind, crowding together till they
reached their fellows once again, to stand shivering, snorting, and
stamping, but leaving two struggling in the bottom of the gulch in
company with six of their riders, wounded or dead.

"That ought to settle them," said Wilton, who knelt carefully wiping his
rifle.

"I hope so," said Bourne. "I'm tired of this murderous work."

"'Tis bad, sir," said Griggs, from the other side; "but it rests with
the redskins."

"Do you think they will give up now, Griggs?" said the doctor.

"No, sir; I don't," was the reply.

"Oh, Griggs, you're making the worst of it," cried Chris.

"No, my lad, I'm not. It's of no use for me to talk nonsense. I know
too much of Indian nature. All they're thinking of now is how to get at
us, and have revenge for what we have done."

"Then you think they will attack again?"

"Sure to, sir," replied Griggs; "but perhaps not with a rush. If they
don't, they'll wait till it's dark, and then leave their horses behind
and come on with their knives."

"Ugh!" ejaculated Chris. "That will be bad for us."

"Horrid," said Griggs coolly. "It seems--Hallo! They're com