148 SPORTING ADVENTURES 



fighters. Al>ont midnight wo had fifty mounted and well- 

 armed men ready to take the field, while twenty more remained 

 in camp to guard the women and children, that immher, with 

 the reinforcements which were sure to come in during the 

 night, being deemed sufficient to protect the village from a 

 whole tribe of Sioux. Each man who was to take the field 

 having been supplied with bread and beef enough to last for 

 three days, he tied them on his saddle; and when everything 

 was ready, all started out in a body, about one a.m., and as the 

 moon was shining brightly we were able to gallop rapidly 

 over the rolling plain, until we reached the previously men- 

 tioned spur of the hill, and there we halted to ga/e on the 

 scene of devastation, which was visible for miles towards the 

 south. Houses were blazing or smoking in every direction as 

 far as the eye could see, and their lurid glare illuminated 

 the country for miles around. It was evident from the course 

 of the flames that the raiders were working towards the 

 south, and burning and killing on their way ; but why 

 they left the main settlement undisturbed was a mystery 

 to many. The only cause that could be adduced was that the 

 settlers towards the south had larger flocks and herds, and were 

 also more widely scattered, so that they could not rallv in 

 sufficient numbers to make a stand of any consequence against, 

 the red fiends. 



"We gazed on the scene for an hour or more with a sort of 

 fearful fascination, and during that time deep and vehement 

 were the threats and execrations hurled at the treacherous foes 

 who had created such havoc among a peaceable people. As 

 we desired to be up at daybreak, we concluded to have a short 

 nap, if possible; so each man picketed his horse and unloosed 

 the saddle, but did not take it ofT, and rolling himself up in 

 his woollen blanket, was soon trying to woo gentle sleep. This 

 was rendered impossible, however, by the yelping of coyotes 

 and the melancholy howling of wolves, and when we arose 

 about daylight I doubt if one person had enjoyed ten minutes 

 of undisturbed repose. After a hasty breakfast it was decided 

 to send ten men back to the cottage of my host, and let them 

 watch the valley, while the remainder tried to surprise the 



