reacherous cusses,
and either one of 'em, would shake with one hand and scalp with t'other
one, ef they got a chance. That little black cuss called himself _El
Chico_,--that means The small,--and said he belonged to the copper-mines
band, and hailed us to see if he couldn't get a little terbacker;
but all he wanted, was to see how we was armed, and if we had any larger
party. I filled him chock full, you bet; and mebbe we shan't see 'em
again, though it's likely we shall. I see one of 'em eyin' that rifle
o'your'n pretty sharp, and he didn't like the look of it much: I could
see that."

We had ridden nearly a mile from the place of the interview, when Jerry
exclaimed, "There they be again, sure'n shootin';" and, pointing to the
mouth of a small _aroya_, that made back from the river, I
discovered six Apaches, coming towards us as fast as their horses would
bring them.

We were within a quarter of a mile of a small mound, upon the top of
which was a peculiar sandstone formation, not unlike, in shape, a huge
bottle; and I suggested to Jerry, that we should ride to the top of this
mound, and, sheltering our horses behind the rock, await their approach
on foot.

The suggestion seemed to be a good one, for it was no sooner made than
adopted, and we had barely time to reach the desired location, ere they
were upon us.

"Steady," said Jerry; "let me give 'em one;" and taking deliberate aim'
he fired, killing one of the ponies, thereby forcing its rider to mount
behind one of the others; but on they came towards us, as fast as their
horses could bring them.

"Now's your' time,--fire!" said Jerry.

I brought my rifle to my face and blazed away; seemingly, however,
without effect.

"That won't do. If you can't shoot surer'n that, you'd better load and
let me do it," said Jerry.

The Indians were now so close that several of their arrows fell about us,
two or three striking the rock behind and shivering to pieces, and
enabling us to recognize among them, the two who had hailed us but a
short time before.

"The treacherous cusses," said Jerry. "I'll pay them fellows off, afore I
git through with 'em, or my name ain't Jerry Vance, sartin."

The Indians appeared to be in no hurry to come within range of our
rifles, but kept well out of the way, occasionally coming furiously to
wards us, and as we raised our rifles to our faces, they would hastily
throw themselves over upon the sides of their animals for protection, and