ew others had gone out on the extreme
edge, and were looking over. They had not thought of an immediate
retreat, as the enemy, having the advantage of the light, had already
discovered the strength of our party.

Though only a distance of three hundred yards separated the hostile
bands, twenty miles would have to be passed before they could meet in
battle. On this account Seguin and the hunters felt secure for the
time; and it was hastily resolved to remain where we were, until we had
examined who and what were our opponents.

They had halted on the opposite bank, and sat in their saddles, gazing
across. They seemed puzzled at our appearance. It was still too dark
for them to distinguish our complexions. Soon, however, it grew
clearer; our peculiar dress and equipments were recognised; and a wild
yell, the Navajo war-cry, came pealing over the abyss!

"It's Dacoma's party!" cried a voice, "they have taken the wrong side o'
the gully."

"No," exclaimed another, "thar's too few o' them for Dacoma's men. Thar
ain't over a hundred."

"Maybe the flood tuk the rest," suggested the first speaker.

"Wagh! how could they 'a missed our trail, that's as plain as a waggon
track? 'Tain't them nohow."

"Who then? It's Navagh. I kud tell thar yelp if I wur sleepin'."

"Them's head chief's niggurs," said Rube, at this moment riding forward.
"Looke! yonder's the old skunk hisself, on the spotted hoss!"

"You think it is they, Rube?" inquired Seguin.

"Sure as shootin', cap."

"But where are the rest of his band? These are not all."

"They ain't far off, I'll be boun'. Hish-sh! I hear them a-comin'."

"Yonder's a crowd! Look, boys! look!"

Through the fog, now floating away, a dark body of mounted men were seen
coming up the opposite side. They advanced with shouts and
ejaculations, as though they were driving cattle. It was so. As the
fog rose up, we could see a drove of horses, horned cattle, and sheep,
covering the plain to a great distance. Behind these rode mounted
Indians, who galloped to and fro, goading the animals with their spears,
and pushing them forward.

"Lord, what a plunder!" exclaimed one of the hunters.

"Ay, them's the fellows have made something by thar expedition. We are
comin' back empty as we went. Wagh!"

I had been engaged in saddling my horse, and at this moment came
forward. It was not upon the Indians that my eye rested, nor upon the
plundered cattle. Another object at