were hit--one of whom was
killed outright, though his companions managed to drag off his body.
Still the odds were greatly against us. Had we been well supplied with
ammunition we should have had no fear as to the result of the encounter,
but we dared not fire a shot more than was absolutely necessary.

Notwithstanding the way we had handled them, the Indians did not appear
inclined to give up the contest, but, after wheeling out of reach of our
rifles, again halted.

"They have had enough of it, I should think," observed Story.

"I'm not so sure of that," answered Dick, "our scalps, our horses, and
our fire-arms, are too tempting prizes to allow the rascals to let us
escape if they fancy that they can get possession of them. See, here
they come again!"

As he spoke the whole troop, giving utterance to a terrific war-whoop,
passed ahead of us, and then, wheeling round, dashed forward at full
speed to attack us on the opposite side. As they got within range, half
our number, as before, fired. Three more of them appeared to be hit,
and one, evidently a chief, fell from his saddle.

The Redskins had had enough of it, and the rest, crawling round the
chief, bore him off. Away they went fleet as the wind. I felt very
much inclined to follow. Dick advised us to remain where we were to see
what they would do. At length we were satisfied that they had received
a lesson by which they were likely to profit, and that they would not
again venture to attack us, unless they could take us by surprise. We
now found the advantage of not having over-exhausted our horses.

"Mount, and push forward!" cried Dick. "But I say, lads, while those
fellows are watching us we'll move at a steady pace."

After we had ridden for a couple of miles or so, Dick advised that we
should put our horses to their full speed, so as to place as wide a
distance between us and our enemies as possible, before we halted for
breakfast.

No sooner was the word given than away we went. Pierre proved an
excellent guide, and took us across the most easy country, so that by
noon it was considered that we might halt without fear of interruption
from the same band, though it would be necessary to keep a sharp look
out lest another troop of savages might be scouring the country in
search of us.

We were by this time desperately sharp set, and while our steeds cropped
the grass around, we quickly lighted our fire and put on our venison to
cook. Pierre