The Young Trail Hunters

-but we had hardly proceeded a mile from our halting-place, before one of the Mexicans, who was riding ahead of the w

y found out all they wanted to from 'em, and then let 'em go. Ther best thing we kin do is ter camp right here whar

round; get your animals corralled with the wagons, and then we'll ride out an

ed; but, to our surprise,

and a very few moments served to convince us that they meant business;

ght it out on our own dung-hill. There ain't more'n a dozen of 'em, and, ef we can't l

ch time coming nearer and nearer, until finally, when within easy range, they threw themselves over upon the sides of t

when they come abreast of us agin give it to 'em wi

reparing to throw themselves over to sh

ed two of their number to fall headlong to the ground. This brought the party to a halt, a

solitary Indian who was approaching our wagons from the rear. Jerry immediately

elligence that his party was only a short di

ntly made up their minds to once more attack, began their old plan of riding around us in a circl

came so thick and fast we decided to give them one more volley from our rifles; this we did, having the good fortune to see two more of the

said Jerry, familiarly slapping the Arapahoe

he rack. Boys as a gineral thing hain't got no bizness on the plai

good," responded the Arapa

we've got ter be a-goin', as soon as I put this chaw er terbacy on tha

We started in company; but soon ascertained it would be impossible for them to keep up with us on the road, their oxen travelled so much slower than our own teams. We parted from them with re

, when Jerry called my attention to a small, oblong pile of stones, that st

manche sign,

ng but a pile of

erry; "but who put 'em ther

veller like oursel

stones and pile 'em up in thet shape, do they? No, sir! them Comanches know what thet mean

nformation to some party who were expected over the route within a short time. I have since found, that, in the absence of stones, these Indians frequent

he road in a little ravine, and here I determined to encamp for the night, no

ves in case of an attack. We also adopted the further precaution of securely fastening our mules to the wagon wheels and

ble; but, about two hours before daybreak, we were awaked by the

ost daylight, anyway;" but, before the guard had time to obey this order, the war-whoop burst upon our

t the Comanches had taken possession of the ravine, its banks serving as a breastw

ng ez they shoot from behind them banks there ain't no da

," replied I, as an arro

the mules dropped to the ground, with th

m out," said Jerry. "Who'll go with me round to the mouth of

there are of them," replied I; "and it seems to me tha

will give 'em light enuff ter find out our position; but we kin git round in behind 'em, and a few shots will settle

eyes were keen, declared that he saw something crawling in the tall grass behind the wagons. He was so positive of this, that after vainly endeavoring to get sight

fast becoming light; but we did not dare to move from our position until assured beyond doubt that the Indians had left. We

ized the fact that he had really killed a Comanche; and, for some time thereafter, hardly appeared like himself; but the congratulations he

w, during the fight; while the enemy lost one killed, a

t not been for the protection afforded by them, our

eprived of the use of their horses; for they rarely go into a fight, except when on horseback.