68 IN THE OLD WEST 



pine; one was sticking right through his cheek, 

 one in his meat-bag, and two more 'bout his hump- 

 ribs, I tuk 'em all out slick, and away we go 

 to camp (for they was jost a-campin' when we 

 went ahead), and carry in' the goat too. Thar 

 was a hurroo when we rode in with the scalps 

 at the end of our guns. 'Injuns! Injuns!' was 

 the cry from the greenhorns ; ' we'll be 'tacked 

 to-night, that's certain.' 



" ' 'Tacked be ,' says old Bill ; ' ain't we 



men too, and white at that? Look to your guns, 

 boys ; send out a strong hoss-guard with the ani- 

 mals, and keep your eyes skinned.' 



" Well, as soon as the animals were unhitched 

 from the wagons, the guvner sends out a strong 

 guard, seven boys, and old hands at that. It 

 was pretty nigh upon sundown, and Bill had just 

 sung out to corral. The boys were drivin' in 

 the animals, and we were all standing round to 

 get 'em in slick, when, * howgh-owgli-owgh-owgh,' 

 we hears right behind the bluff, and 'bout a minute 

 and a perfect crowd of Injuns gallops down upon 

 the animals. Wagh ! warn't thar hoopin' ! We 

 jump for the guns, but before we get to the fires, 

 the Injuns were among the cavayard. I saw 

 Ned Collyer and his brother, who were in the hoss- 

 guard, let drive at 'em ; but twenty Pawnees were 

 round 'em before the smoke cleared from their 

 rifles ; and when the crowd broke, the two boys 

 were on the ground and their hair gone. Well, 



