efence of our
lives, reminding them that should they yield they would be cruelly
tortured, and ultimately put to death.

"Although at first driven back by our fire, again and again they rushed
forward, surrounding our camp, and breaking through our imperfect
fences. Most of my little garrison were speared, and I had received two
wounds; but I scarcely felt them, and still retained my strength and
energy. The rest of the survivors, although much more hurt, and
bleeding at every pore, fought bravely; for all of us knew that we could
expect no mercy from our savage foes.

"Night was coming on, and we had little hopes of ever seeing another sun
rise.

"Among the stores we were conveying were several casks of gunpowder. As
a last resource, I seized one of them which I managed to reach, and
placing it before me, shouted out to our enemies that if they approached
nearer, I would fire my rifle into it, and blow them and the whole camp
into the air. They were well acquainted with its power, and held it, as
I knew, in great dread. My example was followed by the rest of my party
who had yet strength to move. The Dacotahs retired to a short distance,
and held a consultation, after which they galloped round and round us,
shrieking and shouting, when one of them advanced somewhat nearer, and,
in a derisive tone, told us that we were welcome to remain where we
were, for escape was impossible, as they intended to keep near us, and
that in a short time we should be starved to death, when they would have
our scalps, and take possession of our goods. We knew too well that
they spoke the truth; but we replied that we were determined not to
yield, and that if they approached, we would carry our threat into
execution.

"Darkness had now come on, but we distinguished them still hovering
around us in the distance. That was the most dreadful night I ever
passed. The groans and cries of the wounded, as they lay on the ground
around me, continued without intermission. I could do but little to
relieve them; for we had no water to quench our burning thirst, and had
I placed them in the carts they might have been speared, should the
enemy have made a sudden attack, as they were very likely to do, hoping
to catch us unprepared.

"When morning dawned, the Dacotahs again dashed forward, yelling as
before, and approached sufficiently near to survey our condition. All
day long they continued the same system, hoping apparently to wear us