s, and our axes and knives
in our belts. I had, besides, a trusty revolver, which had often stood
me in good stead.

We were not over-delicate when we started, and we soon got accustomed to
the hard life we had to lead, till camping-out became a real pleasure
rather than an inconvenience. We had skin tents for the older men, and
plenty of provisions, and as we kept along the banks of the rivers, we
had abundance of grass and water for the horses. At last we had to
leave the forks of the Missouri river, and to follow a track across the
desolate Nebraska country, over which the wild Pawnees, Dacotahs,
Omahas, and many other tribes of red men rove in considerable numbers.
We little feared them, however, and thought much more of the herds of
wild buffaloes we expected soon to have the pleasure both of shooting
and eating.

We had encamped one night close to a wood near Little Bear Creek, which
runs into the Nebraska river. The following morning broke with wet and
foggy weather. It would have been pleasant to have remained in camp,
but the season was advancing, and it was necessary to push on. All the
other families had packed up and were on the move; Laban's, for a
wonder, was the last. The women and children were already seated in the
lighter wagon, and Obed Ragget and I were lifting the last load into the
other, and looking round to see that nothing was left behind, when our
ears were saluted with the wildest and most unearthly shrieks and
shouts, and a shower of arrows came whistling about our ears. "Shove
on! shove on!" we shouted to Simri and Joab, who were at the horses'
heads; "never mind the tent." They lashed the horses with their whips.
The animals plunged forward with terror and pain, for all of them were
more or less wounded. We were sweeping round close to the edge of the
wood, and for a moment lost sight of the rest of the party. Then, in
another instant, I saw them again surrounded by Indian warriors, with
plumes of feathers, uplifted hatchets, and red paint, looking very
terrible. The women were standing up in the wagon with axes in their
hands, defending themselves bravely. A savage had seized one of the
children and was dragging it off, when Mrs Ragget struck with all her
might at the red-skin's arm, and cut it clean through; the savage drew
back howling with pain and rage. Old Laban in the meantime, with his
brother and two others, kept in front, firing away as fast as they could
load whil