84 SKIRMISH WITH INDIANS. 



turned loose to graze at leisure, with only a 

 * day-guard' to watch them. Those who had 

 finished their dinners lay stretched upon their 

 blankets, and were just begmning to enjoy 

 the luxury of a siesta— when all of a sudden, 

 the fearfid and oft-reiterated cry of " Indians !" 

 turned this scene of repose into one of hus- 

 tle and confusion. 



From the opposite ridge at the distance of 

 a mile, a swarm of savages were seen coming 

 upon us, at full charge, and their hideous 

 whoop and yell soon resounded through the 

 valley. Such a jumbling of promiscuous 

 voices I never expect to hear again. Every 

 one fancied himself a commander, and voci- 

 ferated his orders accordingly. The air was 

 absolutely rent with the cries of " Let's charge 

 'em, boys !"— " Fire upon 'em, boys !"— « Re- 

 serve! don't fire tUl they come nearer!" 

 while the voice of our captaui was scaicely 

 distinguishable in his attempts to prevent such 

 rash proceedings. As the prairie Indians of- 

 ten approach their friends as well as enemies 

 m this way, Captain Stanley was unwilling to 

 proceed to extremities, lest they mic^ht be 

 peacefully inclined. But a ' poppmg lalute,' 

 and the whizzing of fusil balls over our heads, 

 soon explained their intentions. "We returned 

 them several rifle shots by way of comph- 

 ment, but without eifect, as they were at too 

 great a distance. 



^ A dozen cannoniers now surrounded our 



artmery,' wliich was charged with canister. 



*^ch of them had, of course, something to 



