ELDORADO 259 



tain Bent had thrown out advance and rear guards, 

 but either through negligence of these videttes, or 

 from the completeness with which the Indians had 

 concealed themselves, they had gone only nine miles, 

 when the savages seemed to spring from the very 

 bowels of the earth, and poured in a close and heavy 

 fire upon them. 



The surprise was complete, but Bent, mounted on a 

 large black horse, bareheaded, and with his long black 

 hair floating upon the wind, dashed up and down the 

 line forming his men. Every ravine swarmed with 

 Indians, but above their terrific yelling was heard the 

 stentorian whoop of Bent. Two of his men had been 

 lagging in the rear of the train, and, at the first fire, 

 one fell dead, while the other, with fifty Indians in 

 pursuit, dashed on towards the wagons. 



Escape would have been impossible, had not Bent 

 seen the situation and charged toward the advancing 

 savages with a fury that eflFectually checked their pur- 

 suit, and enable the man to join his comrades. The 

 battle continued to rage furiously, and nothing but 

 Bent's coolness, and the desperate bravery of his men. 

 prevented a charge from the Indians, who numbered 

 at least a thousand. In the train was a small brass 

 cannon, the first that ever crossed the Arkansas trail, 

 and it was greatly dreaded by the Comanches. 

 amongst whom the first discharge had made fearful 

 havoc. 



After digging rifle-pits. Bent, seeing that without 

 water he would be unable to long maintain his posi- 

 tion, called for volunteers to endeavor to notify Major 

 Riley of the situation of the party. Although the 

 dutv seemed one that must lead to certain death, vet 



