CAPTURED BY INDIANS 479 



selves confronted by a band of Indians — thirteen in 

 number. This caused no uneasiness at first, as Indians 

 are often seen on these Plains. We soon discovered, 

 however, that they were on no friendly errand, and, 

 upon a nearer approach, the herders pronoiniced them 

 a raiding party of Arrapahoes. They were evidently 

 in pursuit of plunder, were decked in war-paint, and 

 as soon as we came in range of their rifles sounded the 

 war-whoop and bore down upon us, in a manner that 

 betokened anything but a peaceful visit, and left no 

 doubt in our minds as to the motive of their attack. 



The Arrapahoes were at this time the friends and 

 allies of the Sioux, and the chief objects of their raid 

 were doubtless revenge for white men and horses 

 for their warriors, who were then rendezvoused in the 

 Black Hills. 



Fully convinced tliat we were in the presence of an 

 enemy determined to kill or capture our little party, 

 no attempt was made to parley. The ponies were 

 hurriedly drawn together so as to form a barrier against 

 the assaults of the Indians, who were now in short 

 range and gradually closing in upon us. As they 

 galloped around us, the Indians formed a circle and 

 ke{)t up an incessant fire, to which we replied over the 

 backs of our ponies, but with little effect, as from their 

 mode of attack they were a constantly shifting target 

 and difficult to reach, even with the best weapons in 

 use. My own equipment consisted of a carbine, such 

 as I had used in the cavalry service during the Civil 

 War, and a 22-calibre Colt's revolver. Gordon and 

 the Mexican were each provided with a Winchester 

 rifle and navy revolver, while nearly all the Arrapa- 

 hoes were armed with Winchesters and revolvers. 



