lley, and was enabled to mark clearly the attacking party as it
advanced cautiously toward our position. It was composed of some
thirty members, well-appearing fellows for savages, naked from the
waist up, their exposed bodies quite light in color, and unpainted as
is the usual Indian custom for war. Their leader was a tall fellow,
having a head of matted coarse hair, which stood almost erect, thus
yielding him a peculiarly ferocious aspect. The entire band moved
forward, as if in response to prearranged signals, which must have been
conveyed by motion, as I could distinguish not the slightest sound of
speech. However, it was a relief to note they bore no weapons in their
hands excepting the spear and the war-club, clear evidence that they
had limited, if any, trade intercourse with Europeans. Yet they came
on with such steadiness of purpose, amid such impressive silence, I
instinctively felt we stood opposed to no tribe of cowards, whatever
their name.

As they crept, rather than walked, forward into the open space in our
front, their restless, searching eyes were not long in perceiving the
irregular outlines of our rude barricade, nor were they dilatory in
deciding that behind that pile of rock were to be discovered those they
sought. No attacking party operating upon the eastern continent,
guided by all the strategy of civilized war, could have acted more
promptly, or to better purpose. The old chief made a quick, peculiar
gesture from left to right, and in instant response his clustered bunch
of warriors spread out in regulated intervals, assuming positions not
unlike the sticks of a fan such as the Creoles use, until they formed a
complete semicircle, their flanks close in against the cliff, and their
centre well back upon the bank of the stream. It was a pretty
movement, executed with the precision of long discipline, and De Noyan
brought his hand down applauding upon his knee.

"_Parbleu_!" he exclaimed with enthusiasm. "'Twas as well done as by
troops of the line. I look for a warm time presently, when we cross
arms with those fellows."

Even as he spoke, I observed the old chief passing rapidly from man to
man, speaking briefly to each in turn and pointing toward us, as though
giving special directions for the coming assault.

"Chevalier," I whispered, "would it not be well to try a shot at that
tall-haired fellow?"

"It appears too great a distance to my eye."

"I have dropped a buck through f