p :. _ TO CHIHUAHUA. 413 
_ party there who were driving the spare mules and 
_ horses. Two Mexicans, herdsmen, were unhorsed by 
the charge; and a third, being wounded, fell from 
his animal. He, however, held on to his bridle, when 
an Indian rushed at him and pierced him to the heart 
with his lance. The momentary pause of this man 
made hima good mark for the rifle, and sealed his fate. 
Several were discharged at once, which brought the 
fellow to the ground. His companions seeing him fall, 
ran to his rescue, raised him up, and threw his bleed- 
ing body across a mule ridden by another Indian, when 
they rode off at full speed. 
The firing now became general; but the constant 
f . Motion of the enemy, enabled them to escape. The 
five Mexican soldiers, who were on foot, stood up to 
the fight manfully, and were in the thickest of it. They 
did much, too, towards saving the last wagon, which 
had got separated, and was one hundred and fifty 
yards in the rear. The driver of this team, when he 
saw the Indians between him and the rest of the train, 
jumped from his mule, and, bringing the leaders 
around, fastened their heads to the wagon. He then 
took out his rifle and stood on the defensive, levelling 
it at each Indian as he approached, and thus keeping 
them at bay. ; 
The Indians next made for Mr. Thurber, who was ~ 
still further in the rear, and at the moment engaged in 
putting some plants into his portfolio. They dashed 
at him with their lances, and he had barely time to 
Seize his revolver, with which he kept them off. Our 
men were now close at the enemies’ heels; so that, find- 
~ Ing themselves in rather a tight place, they made for the 
