FIGHTING. 387 



charge to come in a moment, I went towards the waggon 

 to be sure that the animals were tied safely, when, to my 

 great indignation, I found Julia (the cook), revolver in 

 hand, and her head thrust out of the front of the 

 waggon. ' Get back there,' I angrily ordered ; ' do you 

 want to be shot ? ' ' Lord Colonel,' she answered, ' let 

 me alone. I'll never have another chance to see an 

 Indian fight.' The earnestness of this, under the cir- 

 cumstances, most unexpected answer set all to laughing ; 

 and John, the husband, who a moment before was almost 

 white with apprehension, regained, with good humour, 

 his natural black. Every moment of delay being most im- 

 portant to us, I, when the Indians had got within about 

 400 yards, stepped forward, made the Indian signal ' Halt,' 

 and displayed a white handkerchief. To my great 

 gratification they halted ; and in a moment one came 

 forward with what had once been a white flannel shirt, 

 fastened to the pole of a lance. We met half way I 

 very friendly, he very gruff; I disposed to talk, he to 

 be saucy. I asked the name of the tribe. He answered 

 by demanding something to eat. I asked where they 

 came from. He answered, ' Powder, lead, sugar.' We 

 could not understand each other well, which I was rather 

 thankful for, as it prolonged the talk. He wanted 

 everything ; and asked, not as a beggar, but demanded, as 

 one having right. I am compelled to admit a certain 

 amount of duplicity on this occasion, having, to gain 

 time, promised things which I had no intention of per- 

 forming. 



The Indians had not seen the waggons, which were 

 crossing one of the long depressions below the level of 

 the plain on which we were. They were sure of us ; but 

 preferred getting what we had without a fight if possible, 

 especially as we had a good position. While we con- 

 tinued to talk I heard most welcome sounds, and, looking 

 in that direction, saw the waggons coming at the full 

 speed of the mules, while a line of ' the boys in blue,' 



c c 2 



