called a council. The Major Riley escort, scarce ten
miles back, was the main hope. Some way must be found to summon them.

"But we're in Mexico. It's ag'in the law of nations for soldiers from
one country to march in time o' peace into another country."

"Never mind. They're Americans and they'll not stop to figure on
boundary lines," Captain Bent answered. "They'll come, I'll wager,
even if it brings on war with a dozen nations. Who'll take the back
trail? There ought to be enough to make a running fight."

Nine men volunteered. They had a slim chance, but some of them might
break loose. They rode away, in the full open. The Indians could not
fail to see them.

Rifle-pits had been dug for the out-posts. In the pits and in the
corral the merchants, teamsters, and hunters sweltered, while they
anxiously gazed. Scattered in squads among the dips and hollows, the
Indians uttered never a sound. Then they burst into a yell. They saw
the nine horsemen bolting for the north.

Aha! Several of the Indians had swooped in chase. No! They turned
again. What did they fear? The cannon? Or a trap? Or didn't they
care? They preferred waiting for bigger booty. Evidently they did not
know about the soldiers at the river. The nine riders had got away!
Now if the Indians only would hold off for a few hours, the caravan was
saved. There seemed to be more than a thousand of the Kiowas and
Comanches--in one grand charge they could ride right over the corral;
but they knew that they would lose many a warrior, and they planned to
get the victory more easily.

The Major Riley command were loafing in their tents and in the shade of
the few cottonwoods, until the sun should set. Everything was
peaceful--and plaguey hot. Then a sentry's musket gave the alarm
signal; he shouted and pointed; the sergeant of the guard ran; from the
tents officers and soldiers boiled out, or sprang to their feet, in the
shade; bathers in the river plashed for their clothes; and the men on
herd commenced to gather their oxen, mules and saddle animals.

A squad of horsemen were galloping in from the south; as they
approached they called and waved, and pointed backward. They were a
part of the traders who had left the camp only a few hours before.
Something had happened, and that could be only Indians. Major Riley
did not delay to ask.

"Sound the general," he bade, buckling on his saber at the door of his
tent; and the chief bugler