CHAPTER XVIII. 



BTILL HCNTIN3 DARK OBJECTS AGAINST THE HORIZON — THE RED MAN AGAIN — 



RETREAT TO CAMP— PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENSE — SHAKING HANDS WITH DEATH 



MR. COLON'S BUGS — THE EMBASSADORS A NEW ALARM— MORE INDIANS — TER- 



BIFIC BATTLE BETWEEN PAWNEES AND CHEYENNES THEIR MODE OF FIGHTING — 



GOOD HORSEMANSHIP A SCIENTIFIC PARTY AS SEXTONS — DITTO AS SURGEONS 



CAMPS OF THE COMBATANTS — STEALING AWAY — AN APPARITION. 



t 



OUR further conquests for that day, it was de- 

 cided, could best be effected by still hunting. 

 The guide had suggested that, if we desired to fill our 

 wagon with meat and get back to camp before night, 

 we might profitably adopt the practice of old hunters, 

 who, when they pursue bison, " mean business." 

 The new tactics consisted of infantry evolutions, and 

 required a dismounting of the cavalry. We were to 

 crawl up to the herds, through ravines, and from 

 those ambuscades open fire. 



A mile away buffalo were feeding in large numbers, 

 and our men pointed out several swales into which 

 we could sink from the surface of the plains, and, fol- 

 lowing the winding lines, find cover until emerging 

 among the herd. But while we were still gazing at 

 the latter, sharp and distinct against the northern 

 horizon appeared other objects, evidently mounted 

 men, and men in that direction meant Indians. It 



(2G4) 



