226 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



stolen in the expedition. The men of the party were consequently 

 all mounted and thoroughly armed, the wagons moved in a line 

 abreast, and a sharp look-out was kept on all sides. The women 

 and children Avere all consigned to the interior of the wagons ; and 

 the latter had also guns in readiness, to take their part in the 

 defense, should an attack be made. 



However, they had seen no Indians, and no fresh sign, for two 

 days after they left the Boiling Spring Pviver, and they began to 

 think they were well out of their neighborhood. One evening they 

 camped on a creek called Black Horse, and, as usual, had corralled 

 the wagons, and forted as well as circumstances would permit, 

 when three or four Indians suddenly appeared on a bluff at a little 

 distance, and, making signals of peaceable intentions, approached 

 the camp. Most of the men were absent at the time, attending 

 to the cattle or collecting fuel, and only old Brand and one of his 

 young grandchildren, about fourteen years old, remained in camp. 

 The Indians were hospitably received, and regaled with a smoke, 

 after which they began to evince their curiosity by examining 

 every article lying about, and signifying their wishes that it should 

 be given to them. Finding their hints were not taken, they laid 

 hold of several things which took their fancies, and, among others, 

 of the pot which was boiling on the fire, and with which one of 

 them was about very coolly to walk off, when old Brand, who up 

 to this moment had retained possession of his temper, seized it out 

 of the Indian's hand, and knocked him down. One of the others 

 instantly began to draw the buckskin cover from his gun, and 

 would no doubt have taken summary vengeance for the insult 

 offered to his companion, when Mary Brand courageously stepped 

 up to him, and, placing her left hand upon the gun which he was 

 in the act of uncovering, with the other pointed a pistol at his 

 breast. 



Whether daunted by the bold act of the girl, or admiring her 

 devotion to her father, tlie Indian drew himself back, exclaimed 



