e Indians who just went over
the crest of yonder hill. I am familiar with all this region and I am
fearful they are trying to draw us on. About a mile ahead of us there
are two ravines, one on either side of the ridge. There the Indians can
hide and attack us at the same time, both in front and on our flanks,
almost before we could know they were there."

"What do you think is the best thing to do, then?" inquired Colonel Todd
seriously.

"My advice," said Boone, "is to do one of two things: Either wait for
the coming of Colonel Logan, who without doubt is on his way to join us;
or, if it is decided to attack the Indians without waiting for him to
come up, then my advice is that half our force ought to go up the river,
cross the rapids, and fall upon the Indians from that side at the same
time the others attack them from the front."

"I am afraid that cannot be done," said Colonel Todd, shaking his head.

"Whatever is done," said Boone quietly, "my advice to you is to go over
the ground carefully before the men cross the river here. Send some
scouts ahead. I have never found, Colonel Todd, that any man lost by
being prepared for what might befall him."

Every man in the little assembly was listening with deep attention to
the great scout who was a man of silence unless his advice was sought.

When he ceased some urged the adoption of his recommendation to wait for
the coming of Colonel Logan and his men. There were others, however, who
were strongly in favour of advancing at once.

In the midst of the warm discussion Major McGary, one of the young
officers who was unable to endure the thought of being near an enemy and
not fighting, let out a wild whoop. At the same moment he waved his hand
over his head, spurred his horse into the river and then shouted in his
loudest tone, "Let all who are not cowards follow me!"

Instantly the mounted men dashed into the river, every one apparently
striving to be the first to gain the opposite shore. The men on foot
also rushed into the stream, which for a time seemed to be a rolling
mass of men and water. No order had been given and no order now was
desired. Through the deep river horses and men staggered forward, with
McGary still leading the way.

They gained the opposite shore where the unprotected nature of the
ground seemed to forbid their advance. Trampled by the buffalo, every
bush and low tree had been stripped bare. Multitudes of rocks blackened
by the sunlight we