412 EL PASO 
train start; whereupon we held in our animals, that it 
might the sooner overtake us. About a mile from. 
camp we passed a small arroyo, or ravine, pretty well 
filled with bushes. This arroyo was no sooner passed 
by the foremost wagon in the train, than we were 
startled by the most terrific yells and shouting ; and on 
turning our heads, to our horror we saw a band of 
Indians issuing from the arroyo we had passed, and 
charging upon the train. We immediately turned 
about, put spurs to our animals, and rode back with all 
speed towards the train. The savages, who numbered 
between thirty and forty (as stated to me by those in 
the rear), were rushing at full speed with their lances 
poised, screaming and yelling, endeavoring to break 
the line and stampede the mules, as they crossed from 
one side to the other. Others followed, discharging 
their arrows at the teamsters as they passed ; but the 
teamsters remained each by his team, keeping the mules 
in their places, and closing up the line: At the same 
time they kept the enemy at bay by levelling their 
pistols at them. These men had the presence of mind 
to keep their seats in the saddle and to hold their fire, 
which the savages wanted to draw. Had they fired 
and missed their mark (and the chances were ten to 
one against their hitting), they would have been 
‘pierced by a lance or an arrow the next moment. 
The men who were riding by the side of the 
wagons sprang to the aid of the teamsters, and held 
the leading miles, which kept them in their places. . 
Failing in their attempt to frighten the mules and 
- throw the train into disorder, the Indians dashed on 
towards the rear, and made a furious charge 0D the 
. 
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