Rocky Mountains. 363 



Every muscle was called into action in our little band, who 

 hung firmly together, discharging their arrows and occasion- 

 ally a fusee at the enemy with the steadiest aim. The dead 

 and wounded were falling in every direction in both parties. 

 The enemy were so numerous that numbers of their braves, 

 armed only with a shield, having rejected their offensive 

 weapons, hovered in front of their companions, intent only 

 upon the acquisition of the renown dearest to the heart of the 

 warrior, that of first striking th<: body of a fallen enemy ; 

 many of them were however killed, even by their own people, 

 as they rushed along, and intercepted the flight of the arrow 

 or bullet from its destined mark. The combatants were at 

 very close quarters, and die arrow had its full effect. 7 hey 

 were for some time intermingled, and contended with their 

 war-clubs and knives. 7"he partizan who had been wounded 

 severely early in the action, and had received several more 

 wounds during its continuance, how was struck by an arrow, 

 which buried itself to the feathers in his body. He knew the 

 wound was a mortal one, and fell, but supported himself 

 upon the ground to encourage his men, " my braves," said 

 he, " fight whilst you can move a limb, and when your ar- 

 rows are expended take to your knives." Looking around 

 now upon his companions in arms he perceived that nearly 

 all his principal braves were killed or disabled, and with 

 his dying words he ordered those who were still on their 

 feet to pierce the surrounding enemy, and endeavour to 

 save themselves in the timber of the creek. As soon as it 

 was ascertained that their partizan was dead, his orders were 

 carried into effect, and the remnant of the party fought their 

 way to the creek, where the enemy abandoned them, and 

 returned to exult over the slain. One only of the principal 

 braves was left in this shattered band ; he declared he 

 was ashamed that he had survived, and he immediately ran 

 back to the enemy, although much wounded, and was seen 

 no more. The party now found that they had left fifty-three 



