202 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



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 chief's best plan was to 

 make the best terms he could ; that all they required was 

 that they should give up their guns and ammunition l 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. 



One jumped upon old Brand, pulled him back as he was 

 rising in the stirrup, and drew his bow upon him at the 

 same moment. In an instant the old backwoodsman pulled 

 a pistol from his belt, and, putting the muzzle to the 

 Indian's heart, shot him dead. Another Indian, nourishing 

 his war-club, laid the old man at his feet ; whilst some 

 dragged the women from the w r aggons, and others rushed 

 upon the men, who made brave fight in their defence. 



Mary, when she saw her father struck to the ground, 

 sprang with a shrill cry to his assistance ; for at that 

 moment a savage, frightful as red paint could make him, 

 was standing over his prostrate body, brandishing a glitter- 

 ing knife in the air, preparatory to thrusting it into the 

 old man's breast. For the rest, all was confusion : in vain 



