s as I regarded those forms and faces; but they
were far off--even a lover's eye was unequal to the distance.

Flanking the camp on right and left were the horses. They occupied a
broad belt of ground--for they were staked out to feed--and each was
allowed the length of his lazo. Their line converged to the rear, and
met behind the grove--so that the camp was embraced by an arc of
browsing animals, the river forming its chord. Across the stream, the
encampment did not extend.

I have said that the spot was well selected to guard against a surprise.
Its peculiar adaptability consisted in the fact, that the little grove
that backed the camp was the only timber within a radius of a thousand
yards. All around, and even on the opposite side of the stream, the
plain was treeless, and free from cover of any kind. There were no
inequalities of ground, neither "brake, bush, nor scaur," to shelter the
approach of an enemy.

Had this position been chosen, or was it accidental? In such a place
and at such a time, it was not likely they had any fear of a surprise;
but with the Indian, caution is so habitually exercised, that it becomes
almost an instinct; and doubtless under such a habit, and without any
forethought whatever, the savages had fixed upon the spot where they
were encamped. The grove gave them wood; the stream, water; the plain,
pabulum for their horses. With one of these last for their own food,
they had all the requisites of an Indian camp.

At the first glance, I saw the strength of their position--not so much
with the eye of a soldier, as with that of a hunter and bush-fighter did
I perceive it. In a military sense, it offered no point of defence; but
it could not be approached by stratagem, and that is all the
horse-Indian ever fears. Alarm him not too suddenly--give him five
minutes' warning, and he cannot be attacked. If superior in strength,
you may chase him; but you must be better mounted than he to bring him
to close combat. Retreat, not defence, is generally the leading idea of
Comanche strategy, unless when opposed to a Mexican foe. Then he will
stand fight with the courage of a master.

As I continued to gaze at the Indian encampment, my heart sank within
me. Except under cover of a dark night--a very dark night--it could not
be entered. The keenest spy could not have approached it: it appeared
unapproachable.

The same thought must at that moment have occupied the minds of my
compani