still very
formidable antagonists. We had not time to load our rifles before they
were upon us. Pipestick, in consequence of his wounds, was scarcely
able to offer any effectual resistance, but the Indians fought bravely,
and all the women who were unhurt came to our assistance. I certainly
was very far from despising their assistance. They enabled me and
Pipestick to fall back to load our rifles and those of our companions,
and, taking a steady aim, we soon turned the fortunes of the day. Three
more Indians were knocked over, and the rest turned tail, and ran off as
fast as their long legs would carry them, to avoid the shots which we
sent whizzing away in their rear. My great anxiety was now to get Obed
to come back into the camp, fearing lest he and his party might be led
by the manoeuvres of the enemy to too great a distance from it, and that
the Indians might get in between us and our friends, so I resolved to go
myself.

There was no time for consideration: loading my rifle and seizing the
tomahawk of one of the dead Indians, I sprang out and ran faster than I
thought I could possibly have moved. Just as I had got half-way from
the camp towards them, another party of Indians darted out of the wood,
and, setting up their war-whoops, ran out with terrible fleetness
towards me. I ran faster, I believe, than I had ever before done,
shouting out to Obed to come and rescue me. He at that time,
unfortunately, was repelling a strong body of Indians, who seemed to
press him very hard. I saw that I must depend on myself; I halted, and,
kneeling down, took a steady aim at the headmost of my pursuers. He
was, I thought, aware that his fate was sealed when he saw me pointing
my rifle at him. He threw up his arms even before I had fired, and then
over he fell, shot through the breast. I ran on as hard as I could
pelt. There is no disgrace running from an overpowering enemy. Again
and again I shouted at the top of my voice to Obed. The Dacotahs pushed
on. I loaded as I ran. I thought if I could bring down another of them
I might stop the progress of the rest. With no little difficulty I got
my rifle-ball rammed down. I turned suddenly and rather surprised my
pursuers by lifting my weapon to my shoulder and letting fly at the
leading red-skin. He, as had his companion, tumbled over, but his death
only the more exasperated the rest, and they sprang forward more intent
than ever to take my life. There was no