For some time the savage horsemen continued their circling gallop around
the butte--one occasionally swooping nearer; but covered by the body of
his horse in such a way that it was impossible to sight him. These
manoeuvres were executed by the young warriors, apparently in a spirit
of bravado, and with the design of showing off their courage and
equestrian skill. We disregarded the harmless demonstrations, watching
them only when made in the direction of our animals. At intervals a
hideous face peeping over the withers of a horse, offered a tempting
target. My comrades would have tried a flying shot had I not restrained
them. A miss would have damaged our prestige in the eyes of the enemy.
It was of importance that they should continue to believe in the
infallibility of the fire-weapon.
After a time, we observed a change of tactics. The galloping slackened,
and soon came to an end. The horsemen threw themselves into small
groups, at nearly equal distances apart, and forming a ring round the
butte. Most of the riders then dismounted, a few only remaining upon
their horses, and continuing to dash backward and forward, from group to
group. These groups were beyond the range of our rifles, though not of
the sergeant's musket. But the savages--both mounted and afoot--had
taken care to make ramparts of their steeds. At first, this manoeuvre
of our enemies appeared to have no other object than that of placing
themselves in a position to guard against our retreat. A moment's
reflection, however, told us that this could not be the design. There
were but two points by which we could pass down to the plain--on
opposite sides of the butte--why then should they _surround_ it? It
could not be for the purpose of cutting off our retreat? That could be
done as effectually without the circular deployment.
Their design soon became apparent. We observed that the muskets were
distributed among the groups, three or four to each. With these they
now opened fire upon us from all sides at once, keeping it up as fast as
they could load the pieces. The effect was to render our situation a
little more perilous. Not having the means to make our parapet
continuous, we were at several points exposed. Had we had good marksmen
to deal with, we should have been in danger. As it was, we drew well
back towards the centre of the platform; and were screened by its outer
angles. Now and then a shot struck the rock, sending the splinters in
our faces; but all four of us escaped being hit by the bullets.
We had made an observation that rendered us uneasy: we had observed a
weak point in our defence. We wondered that our assailants had not also
noticed it. Around the butte, and close up to its base, lay many
boulders of rock. They were prisms of granite, that had become detached
from the cairn itself, and rolled down its declivity. They rested upon
the plain, forming a ring concentric with the circular base of the
mound. Many of these boulders had a diameter of six feet, and would
have sheltered the body of a man from our shots. Others, again, rested
along the sloping sides of the butte--also of prismatic shapes, with
sides overhanging. These might form ramparts for our assailants should
they attempt to storm our position. Even the spreading cedars would
have hidden them from our sight. They were the trailing juniper of the
western wilds--very different from the Virginian cedar. They were of
broad bushy forms, with stunted stems, and tortuous branches, densely
set with a dark acetalous foliage. They covered the sides of the butte,
from base to middle height, with a draping perfectly impenetrable to the
eye. Though there was no path save that already mentioned, assailants,
active as ours, might unseen have scaled the declivity. Should the
Indians make a bold, dash up to the base of the butte, leave their
horses, and take to the rocks, they might advance upon us without risk.
While working their way up the slope, they would be safe from our shots,
sheltered by the projecting prisms, and screened by the trees. We
should not dare to expose ourselves over the edge of the platform: since
the others, remaining behind the boulders below, would cover us with
their aim; and the shower of arrows would insure our destruction. Those
who might scale the mound, would have us at their mercy. Assailing us
simultaneously from all sides, and springing suddenly upon the platform,
ten to one against us, they could soon overpower us.
These were the observations we had made, and the reflections that
resulted from them. We only wondered that our enemies had not yet
perceived the advantage of this plan of attack; and, since they had
neglected it so long, we were in hopes that the idea would not occur to
them at all. It was not long before we perceived our error; and that we
had miscalculated the cunning of our dusky foes. We saw the Indians
once more taking to their horses. Some order had reached them from the
Red-Hand, who stood conspicuous in the midst of the largest group of his
warriors. The movement that resulted from this order was similar to
that already practised in the endeavour to stampede our animals: only
that all the band took part in it--even the chiefs mounting and riding
among the rest. The marksmen _alone_ remained afoot, and continued to
fire from behind their horses.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once more the mounted warriors commence galloping in circles round the
butte. We perceive that at each wheel they are coming nearer, and can
divine their intent. It is the very plan of attack we have been
apprehending! We can tell by their gestures that they are about to
charge forward to the rocks.
Regardless of the fire from the plain, we creep back to the edge of the
parapet, and point our pieces towards the circling horsemen. We are
excited with, new apprehensions; but the caution to keep cool is once
more passed around; and each resolves not to fire without being certain
of his aim. On our first shots will depend the success or failure of
the attack. As before, we arrange that two only shall fire at a time.
If the shots prove true, and two of our foes fall to them, it may check
the charge, perhaps repulse it altogether? Such often happens with an
onset of Indians--on whom the dread of the fire-weapon acts with a
mysterious effect. On the other hand, if we miss, our fate is sealed
and certain. We shall not even have the choice of that last desperate
resort, on which we have built a hope. We shall be cut off from all
escape: for our animals will be gone before we can reach them. On foot,
it will be idle to attempt flight. Even could we run the gauntlet
through their line, we know they could overtake us upon the plain!
We feel like men about to throw dice for our lives, and dice too that
are loaded against us! Nearer and nearer they come, until they are
coursing within fifty yards of the butte, and scarcely twice that
distance from our guns. Were their bodies uncovered, we could reach
them; but we see only their hands, feet, and faces--the latter only at
intervals. They draw nearer and nearer, till at length they are riding
within the circle of danger. Our superior elevation gives us the
advantage. We begin to see their bodies over the backs of their horses.
A little nearer yet, and some of these horses will go riderless over
the plain! Ha! they have perceived their danger--one and all of them.
Notwithstanding their cries of bravado, and mutual encouragement, they
dread to make the final rush. Each fears that himself may be the
victim!
Our heads were growing dizzy with watching them, and we were still
expecting to see some of them turn their horses, and dash inward to the
butte; when we heard a signal-cry circulating through their ranks. All
at once the foremost of them was seen swerving off, followed by the
whole troop! Before we could recover from our surprise, they had
galloped far beyond the range of our guns, and once more stood halted
upon the plain!