280 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



being protected by deerskin leggings, reaching to the 

 middle of the thigh. Six or seven first arrived, and 

 others quickly followed, dropping in one after the other, 

 until a score or more were collected round the waggons. 

 Their demeanour, at first friendly, soon changed as 

 their numbers increased, and they now became urgent in 

 their demands for powder and lead, and bullying in 

 their manner. A chief accosted Brand, and, through 

 Antoine, informed him "that, unless the demands of 

 his braves were acceded to, he could not be responsible 

 for the consequences ; that they were out on the ' war- 

 trail,' and their eyes were red with blood, so that 

 they could not distinguish between white and Yuta 

 scalps ; that the party, with all their women and 

 waggons, were in the power of the Indian ' braves,' 

 and therefore the white chiefs best plan was to make 

 the best terms he could ; that all they required was 

 that they should give up their guns and ammunition 

 'on the prairie,' and all their mules and horses 

 retaining the ' medicine ' buffaloes (the oxen) to draw 

 their waggons." 



By this time the oxen were yoked, and the teamsters, 

 whip in hand, only waited the word to start. Old 

 Brand foamed whilst the Indian stated his demands, 

 but, hearing him to the end, exclaimed, " Darn the red 

 devil ! I wouldn't give him a grain of powder to save 

 my life. Put out, boys ! " and, turning to his horse 

 which stood ready saddled, was about to mount, when 

 the Indians sprang at once upon the waggons, and 

 commenced their attack, yelling like fiends. 



