AN ALARM. 117 



could not be disturbed without giving us notice of their 

 danger. 



The night was very gloomy. Occasionally the stars 

 peeped out of windows in the gloomy ceiling of clouds, but 

 we depended almost entirely on our fire for a light by which 

 to catch a glimpse of surrounding objects. The keen-eyed 

 Gaucho stood as sentinel, while Mr. Barrill and myself 

 cooked the meat ; and, when we commenced eating, he 

 took his share to eat while continuing his guard. 



Suddenly he jumped over the breastwork and trench, 

 and put his ears to the ground. Then springing up, he 

 pointed in the direction from which he heard a sound 

 to come, and exclaimed 



" They come ! they come !" 



Then another noise in an opposite direction seemed to 

 catch his ear, for he leaped over the breastwork on the 

 other side, and put his ear to the ground. Then, spring- 

 ing up, he swore a terrible oath, and announced that 

 another party was in full gallop towards us, from that 

 direction. He then entered the camp. We drew our 

 animals as close to the breastwork as we could ; then pre- 

 pared our ammunition and arms for rapid use, and awaited 

 the attack, determined, yet scarcely hoping to make a 

 successful defence. 



The parties seemed to be approaching at about the 

 same speed. Nearer and nearer they came, and my heart, 



