n done before, and tied
them and my horse to the wagon. We threw the buffalo hams upon the
ground, and piled them around the wheels in such a shape as to form a
breastwork. All this was done in a shorter time than it takes to tell it;
and then, with our extra box of ammunition and three or four extra
revolvers, which we always carried along with us, we crept under the
wagon and were fully prepared to give our visitors the warmest kind of a
reception.

The Indians came on pell-mell, but when they were within one hundred
yards of us we opened such a sudden and galling fire upon them, that they
held up and began to circle around the wagon instead of riding up to
take tea with us. They however charged back and forth upon us several
times, and their shots killed the two mules and my horse; but we gave it
to them right and left, and had the satisfaction of seeing three of them
fall to the ground not more than fifty yards away. On seeing how well we
were fortified and protected by our breastwork of hams, they probably
came to the conclusion that it would be a difficult undertaking to
dislodge us, for they drew off and gave us a rest, but only a short one.

This was the kind of fighting we had been expecting for a long time, as
we knew that sooner or later we would be "jumped" by Indians while we
were out buffalo hunting. I had an understanding with the officers who
commanded the troops at the end of the track, that in case their pickets
should at any time notice a smoke in the direction of our hunting ground,
they were to give the alarm, so that assistance might be sent to us for
the smoke was to indicate that we were in danger.

I now resolved to signal to the troops in the manner agreed on, and at
the first opportunity set fire to the grass on the windward side of the
wagon. The fire spread over the prairie at a rapid rate, causing a dense
smoke which I knew would be seen at the camp. The Indians did not seem to
understand this strategic movement. They got off from their horses, and
from behind a bank or knoll, again peppered away at us; but we were well
fortified, and whenever they showed their heads we let them know that we
could shoot as well as they.

[Illustration: THE FIRE SIGNAL.]

After we had been cooped up in our little fort, for about an hour, we
discovered cavalry coming toward us at full gallop over the prairie. Our
signal of distress had proved a success. The Indians saw the soldiers at
about the same time