228 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



seven first arrived, and others quickly followed, dropping in one 

 after the other, until a score or more w^ere collected round the 

 wagons. Their demeanor, 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 wagons, 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 ' on the prairie,' and all 

 their mules and horses — retaining the 'medicine' buffaloes (the 

 oxen) to draw their wagons." 



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

 hand, only waited the word to start. Old Brand foamed while 

 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 I" — and, turning to his 

 horse, which stood ready saddled, was about to mount, when the 

 Indians sprang at once upon the wagons, 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, flourishing his war-club, laid the old man at his 

 feet ; while some dragged the women from the wagons, and 

 others rushed upon the men, who made brave fight in their de- 

 fense. 



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



