FIGHTING ATTACKS ON EMIGRANT TRAINS. 379 



passing each through the other. Wheeling, a second 

 and a third charge were made, not a man on either side 

 flinching from his work. On the third charge the Indian 

 chief received a bullet in his brain, and his followers 

 tied beaten from the field. 



The Indian and the old hunter or trapper of the 

 plains rarely come into collision. The latter is too cool 

 and dangerous a customer to be attacked without due 

 and careful preparation. Moreover, he is too poor to 

 warrant the almost certain loss that must ensue to an 

 attacking force. The Indians therefore content them- 

 selves with watching his camp and stealing his hard-won 

 peltries, his blankets and kettles, the first time he leaves 

 them undefended. 



The Indian's great delight is the attack of a waggon 

 train. There is comparatively little risk, and his reward 

 in ponies and plunder most ample. For days he will 

 watch the slow moving line, until he knows exactly the 

 number and character of armed men that defend it. If 

 their numbers or carelessness warrant a direct attack, he 

 selects some place where the ground is unfavourable for 

 coralling the waggons. Here he lies in wait, and at the 

 proper time rushes out with terrifying yells, frightening 

 the teams, which run away, overturning waggons, and 

 throwing everything into confusion. Cool heads and 

 steady hands are required at such moments, and if the 

 whites fail in these their fate is soon decided. If a direct 

 attack involves too much risk, the Indian's next concern 

 is to get possession of the horses and mules. 



He will follow the train for days, or even weeks, 

 never seen, his presence never suspected. Lulled into 

 false security, the white guardians become somewhat 

 careless ; the herd is permitted to wander farther from 

 camp, or with a too slender guard. Like a thunderbolt 

 from a clear sky, the Indians rush into the herd with 

 whoops and yells, scare it into stampede, and in a 

 moment all disappear together. 



One unaccustomed to Indian warfare would naturally 



