An Attack in Force
The light was strong, and the pink tinge in the sky away to the east was
already giving place to a golden hue, the forerunner of a scorching sun,
as the Indians came in sight. Turning in his saddle, Jack could see them
riding in a cluster, and coming at a sharp canter.
"Likely as not they've seed us ten minutes ago," said Tom, taking a
close view of the pursuers. "They're right up agin that cloud of smoke,
so that it aer not so easy fer us to see them. But we're clear out on
the plain, and anyone could spot the tilt of the wagon miles away. Wall,
youngster, aer yer skeared?"
Jack laughed. Somehow, for no reason at all, so far as he was aware, the
thought of the coming conflict gave him not so much as a qualm. Had the
same thing been about to occur three days ago he would perhaps not have
been so cheerful; for it is uncertainties which try men, doubt as to the
future, and, where blows are to be expected, a vague wondering as to how
they will bear themselves. But Jack had met danger already, and met it
manfully. In his heart he knew well that he had earned the esteem of
these hardened scouts, and at the thought he threw up his head and
laughed again.
"Jest like that, aer it?" smiled Tom. "Wall, I knows how yer feel, and I
ain't surprised. Yer ain't got no call to fear any ruction in the
future, 'cos ye've had an innings, and that teaches a chap a heap. But
it aer time to climb into the wagon."
By now all the friends were gathered close beside the huge vehicle save
Jacob, who gripped the reins, and Steve, who lay on the boards within.
Not one of the men appeared anything but absolutely cool. Indeed they
displayed a certain amount of cheerfulness which would have helped to
keep up the courage of any weakling, had there been one amongst them.
Slipping from their saddles, they unbuckled girths and carried the
saddles to the back of the wagon, where one of their number built them
into a breastwork. The others at the same time made the bridles fast to
the headstall of the wheelers drawing the wagon. Then, at a call from
Tom, they came clambering into the wagon.
"And jest you watch them legs of mine," sang out Steve cheerily. "This
here Jack's saved 'em fer me with a bit of trouble, and it aer cost them
varmint back thar a hull heap, not ter speak of a bad headache that one
of 'em's got. Wall, jest keep yer big boots off me. I don't want ter
discourage a youngster, and I jest want ter show Jack thar that them
legs is goin' ter get useful yet."
They placed the smiling little scout at the forward end of the wagon,
and at his urgent request piled a heap of ammunition at his head. A
biscuit box propped up one elbow, while the sacking, with its thick
padding of grass, was pulled down a few inches.
"So that I kin see ter shoot over," growled Steve, "I ain't fergot as
them varmint aer had a bit of fun outer me. Wall, I never did like
owin'. I'm agoin' ter pay back prompt, and I'll give 'em full measure ef
I can work it."
By now the enemy were within three hundred yards of the wagon, and,
looking out, Jack saw that they were riding slowly, while a number were
bunched close together, and were carrying on a heated conversation.
Behind them rode the younger men, and it was clear from the manner in
which they broke from the throng ever and again, and reluctantly
rejoined it, that they were eager to begin the attack.
"In course they'll divide," said Tom coolly. "And some of their best
men'll be told off to ride in and shoot the hosses, or hamstring 'em if
they kin get close enough. Wall, Steve and me'll see to that, and two of
the others kin help. Jacob'll shake up the hosses every time the
critters make a rush, so as to give 'em harder work ter do. You
others'll get in a shot whenever yer kin. It don't need tellin' that yer
might jest as well not shoot as miss. Ye've got ter kill every time, or
damage a man so bad as he can't move."
"They're dividing," sang out Jack a moment later.
"And by the look of 'em they're goin' ter play some new kind of game.
Keep yer eyes skinned, boys, and whatever happens don't let the critters
get too near to the hosses. The guns they has ain't much good over a
hundred yards. Jest keep 'em that far off, and we shan't come to any
hurt."
Five minutes later it was apparent that this body of Indians was led by
a crafty individual; for, having divided, instead of dashing forward and
attacking the wagon on either side, the two bands, some thirty strong
in each case, cantered past the wagon till they were well ahead. Then,
to Jack's amazement, they spread themselves out on either side of the
track which the wagon would take if it continued the course it was then
following.
"They've set their mark on the hosses, boys," sang out Tom at once.
"Their game are as clear as daylight. They're jest waitin' fer us to
trail on between them, when every man'll let fly with his popgun. Ef
they bring down the hosses we're stranded, and they kin then set to work
to tackle the wagon. Say, Jacob, bring yer team up smart towards 'em,
and, when yer judges you're jest outer shot, wheel 'em sharp to the
left, and again to the right when you've run a couple of hundred yards.
That'll put all the varmint on one side. Not a shot, boys, till I shout.
Them critters ain't got no notion what sort of guns we've got. We want
to coax 'em nearer, so as we kin give 'em pepper."
With the huge odds against them it was obvious that it would be to the
advantage of the little party of hunters to inflict a severe lesson on
the Indians at the very onset of the conflict. And all realized that
Tom's scheme was best calculated to bring that about. Kneeling behind
the breastwork formed all round the wagon, the scouts peered out from
beneath the tilt, their weapons ready to their hands. Jacob, sitting
high on the box, wielded the reins with a master hand. Leaning forward
so as to give his whip arm free play, he sent the long lash cracking and
swishing over the team. Then, having brought them to a canter, he
steered them direct for the open space left between the two lines of
Indian horsemen. There was a howl of rage as he swung the team to the
left, and a great galloping to and fro as he swung to the right again,
so placing the wagon to the left of the Indians, but just out of
gunshot.
"Them fellers is jest cryin' with rage," laughed Steve as he peered out.
"Guess they'll give up all thought of the hosses in a little. It's clear
agin Injun nature ter trouble with hossflesh when there's white folks
about and scalps to be taken. But jest watch it, Tom. Some of 'em will
try a rush in, so as to put a bullet into the team."
Indeed, in less than a minute one of the young braves accompanying the
enemy suddenly started from their ranks and galloped madly towards the
wagon. His reins lay on the horse's neck, while already his gun was at
his shoulder. Tom instantly threw his own weapon into position, paused
for a moment, and then drew the trigger.
"Jest the right height, I reckon," cried Steve. "Yer hit him plumb, Tom,
and it aer a lesson. But watch it. There'll be more of 'em axing ter be
killed."
It was not likely that an old Indian fighter like Steve would be
mistaken, and indeed the next few minutes proved that, for other braves
dashed from the ranks, singly or in twos and threes. And on each
occasion Tom and his comrades defeated their object. None of their
bullets went astray. The men who were firing were no hotheads, no
untrained recruits. They aimed steadily and coolly, and never missed.
"That aer checked them fer a little," said Tom, as the Indians drew away
and rode on a level with the wagon, but some three hundred yards to the
right. "They'll get to and have a palaver fer a bit, and then they'll
try a rush. That aer what we've got ter fear. Thar's a good fifty of the
critters left, and ef they can get all round us, why, some of 'em'll do
fer the team while we're busy with the others. Then there won't be no
stoppin' them. Yer know the game to play, Jacob?"
The big hunter, perched high on his box, looked round and grinned at
Tom.
"Yer bet," he answered. "It's ter be a circus. Yer kin calkilate on me
ter do the right thing at the right moment. I'll give the team an easy
time till them critters gets frisky agin."
For more than half an hour the little party proceeded on their way, the
team walking, while the Indians rode their horses still at the same
distance from the wagon. For a while they had stopped, and there had
been a palaver. Then they had followed at a trot, and as soon as they
were level with the wagon had begun to walk their animals.
"Yer kin see their new game," cried Tom after a while. "Thar's roughish
ground ahead. Yer kin see rocks rising in the grass, and they calkilates
ter charge when we're fixed up amongst the boulders. Thar wouldn't be
the same chance of manoeuvring then, and things wouldn't be so
favourable by a heap. What do yer think, Steve?"
"It don't want no thinkin'. Ef we push on into that ere rough ground,
we're doin' jest what them Injun varmint aer axin' us ter do. That ain't
reasonable, and ain't the way of men sich as we aer. We're in fer a muss
with them critters, either here or down among the rocks. Wall, do it
want decidin' what we aer ter do?"
"Pull the team round, Jacob," sang out Tom promptly, "and get yer irons
ready, boys. Thar'll be a bit of shouting. Gee! It fair makes me grin to
think how them critters'll be swearin'."
Once more Jacob's whip cracked over the team and set them in rapid
motion, a pace which the enemy rapidly adopted. Indeed, it seemed as if
the party at whose capture or death they aimed was actually hastening to
its own destruction. But the Indians had as crafty a set of men to deal
with as themselves. A howl presently escaped them as Jacob swung his
team in a complete circle, and sent them heading back over the
wheelmarks they had just made.
"Jest watch it, boys," sang out Tom. "Human natur can't stand that 'ere
sort of thing, and Injun natur in partic'ler. They've jest been
bamboozled, and ef there aer a thing that's sartin ter raise the dander
of them varmint, it aer bein' bamboozled. Jest keep yer eyes skinned,
and start in with the shootin' as soon as they aer within easy range.
Yer kin keep yer shooters till they're up ter the wagon."
For five minutes perhaps the Indians rode beside the wagon, keeping pace
with it--for the team had again dropped to a walk--and maintaining the
same distance from it. Then Steve suddenly drew the attention of his
comrades to a remarkable fact.
"Ain't they cute!" he cried. "They're givin' the idea that they're jest
ridin' along at the same distance. But ef yer watch carefully, them
critters is edgin' in all the while. In a bit they'll be near enough to
make a rush. Jest sit tight, boys, while I put in a sorter warnin'
shot."
He leaned well over his sights and squinted along the barrel, aiming at
an Indian who, by his gestures, and the manner in which the others
followed him, was undoubtedly the leader. Then the interior of the wagon
was filled with blinding smoke, while a thundering detonation deafened
the little party of white men. Instantly the Indian chief threw up his
arms, fell back on the quarters of his horse, and slid to the ground.
And at once there arose such a babel of shouts and shrill yells of anger
that anyone might well have been alarmed. For it was contrary to Indian
habit to give way so openly to wrath. It seemed, indeed, as if the
conflict they had entered upon with these whites had tried the temper of
the enemy more than usual, and if Jack had only known it his own
unexpected success against them, the manner in which he had slain two of
their most cunning young braves, had maddened the others. They felt as
if their reputation, even their bravery, had received a sore check. Now,
on top of that, this solitary wagon was being manoeuvred in a manner
which outgeneralled all their schemes, for the parties of diggers making
across the plains upon whom the Indians were wont to make attacks fell
too easy victims to their craft and cunning as a general rule.
"That aer the end of it," said Tom, turning to see that all was ready.
"Flesh and blood can't stand no more of sich knocks, and them
critters'll be coming."
The words had hardly left his lips when the whole band of Indians swept
their horses round to face the wagon, and, digging their heels into the
flanks of the animals, spurred them forward at a mad gallop. What a
picture they made too! In more or less close formation, their feathered
headdress flying in the breeze, and the trimmings of their overalls and
moccasins fluttering, they raced towards the wagon with eyes staring and
arms brandished over their heads. A perfect tumult of noise proceeded
from their ranks, while they had hardly covered ten yards before their
guns spoke out, sending bullets hissing across the space which divided
them from the white men.
[Illustration: "THE INDIAN CHIEF THREW UP HIS ARMS"]
"Shake 'em up, Jacob!" cried Tom at the pitch of his voice.
But the big, cool man handling the reins needed no instructions. Already
he was bending forward, while the crack of his long lash broke the
silence before the Indian guns spoke. He called to the horses as only a
practised teamster could do, and at once the wagon swayed and rocked and
jerked. Then it gathered momentum, and long ere the enemy had approached
within a hundred and fifty yards the big, lumbering contrivance was well
under way, dashing over the prairie at a pace which caused the Indians
at once to swing their horses forward and gallop harder so as to come
within reach In fact, it was this sudden movement which proved the
safeguard of the little party of hunters. For otherwise, had they been
stationary, they would have had fifty or more of the enemy about them at
the same moment, and so quickly, too, that there would have been little
time for the rifles to make an impression. As it was, they had some
breathing space, and much use did they make of it.
"Leaders always, mates!" sang out Tom. "It aer always the best. It
throws the others into a fix and delays 'em."
Short, sharp, and precise the shots rang out from the wagon, while the
interior was presently filled with thick, sulphurous smoke. But that
made no difference to the defenders, for the pace at which they were
moving constantly cleared the atmosphere. It was Steve who first opened
the duel. His weapon cracked sharply, and at once one of the leading
Indian horses fell with a crash, throwing his rider. The animal
following managed to leap over his fallen comrade, but a second tripped,
and after him a third came to grief, leaving a pile of struggling men
and lashing hoofs on the grass. But such an incident could not stop such
large numbers. Spreading a little, they came racing in towards the
wagon, while the heavy thuds outside told that bullets were flying. But
missiles were also passing in the opposite direction, true to their
mark, for each one of the scouts was a master hand with a rifle. Even
Jack made good use of his weapon, and brought more than one of the enemy
rolling, while the negro who accompanied the party, to tend to the team
and cook, helped gallantly in the defence.
"Shooters!" shouted Tom at length, when the enemy were within ten yards.
"Me and Seth'll see that they don't get nigh to the hosses. Ye other
boys make time with 'em at the sides, and jest see that the critters
don't climb in behind. Jack, post yerself thar, and give 'em fits ef
they try it."
Dropping their empty weapons, each one of the defenders gripped his
revolver, and in some instances they had two. As for Jack, he crawled to
the back of the wagon, and, leaning over the saddles, waited for the
time for action. And it was not long in coming. With a heave and a roll
the wagon swung sharply to the left, for Jacob was a cunning hand. And
the sudden change of direction threw the aim of the enemy out. A moment
or two before several had been within easy reach of the wheelers of the
team and had drawn their tomahawks; but the swerve left them behind,
while in the case of one man on the far side, the wagon bumped into him
with terrific force, and threw him and his mount to the ground. With a
shout the others galloped up behind, and in a second there was a sea of
faces, of bobbing heads, and of tossing manes presented to our hero.
"Take 'em cool!" shouted Tom, who seemed to have an eye for everything
and everyone.
Jack levelled his weapon steadily, aimed at the foremost man, and sent a
bullet crashing into his head. At the same instant he was almost blinded
by a spurt of flame, while something hissed past his head, and, passing
through the length of the wagon, buried itself in the box on which Jacob
sat.
"Bully fer ye, Jack!" shouted Seth, springing to our hero's side. "Yer
bagged him fine, and he near plugged yer. Get in at 'em."
It was short, sharp work at the back of the wagon on that occasion, and
when it was ended Jack remembered nothing beyond that first shot, the
fall of the Indian, and the ball which had hissed past his own cheek.
Yet, there he was, standing beside the breastwork of saddles, holding an
empty and smoking revolver in his hand, while directly in rear was a
bunch of fallen men, with their patient horses standing beside them. And
all the while he had a dim perception that shots were echoing all round
him. From either side of the wagon a stream of bullets had hurtled, and
even now men were being added to that bunch upon which his eye was
fixed.
"Yer kin take it slow and cool," sang out Tom at last, his voice
startling our hero. "Them critters has had their pepper, and ef they're
wise they'll sheer clear off. Anyone the wuss?"
"Wuss. Yer don't call that wuss, do yer?" asked Seth indignantly,
displaying a wrist from which a stream of red ran. "That ain't nothin'.
Jest a pip what happened to come my way, and kinder seemed ter like me.
Boys, I aer been in many a muss, and gee! I ain't the one as likes to
come out without somethin' to remind me of it. That aer a pinprick."
He coolly rammed cartridges into his empty revolver, reloaded his gun,
and then with the help of a fine set of teeth and a neckerchief quickly
bound up the wound.
Meanwhile Jack had looked carefully about him, for the smoke had again
cleared from the interior of the wagon. One thing struck him with
amazement. The white tilt of the wagon, which had been rolled up so that
the defenders could see from beneath it, was no longer the neat, nicely
hung thing it had been. The curtain was punctured in numerous places,
while there was more than one long slit.
"Jest ter remind us!" laughed Steve, seeing Jack's attention was
attracted to the rents. "Them critters came close, and would ha' got to
the hosses ef it hadn't been that Jacob had the ribbons. But yer can see
how close they war. Reckon this here padding aer saved some of us."
It was clear, indeed, that but for the timely preparations of the scouts
they would have fared badly, for the enemy had actually battered the
outside of the wagon with their tomahawks, and had their weapons been
loaded when they arrived at such close quarters no doubt they would have
poured bullets into the interior. But they had expended their shots on
the way, trusting to their terrible tomahawks for close hand-to-hand
work, an opportunity for which had never been allowed them.
"It aer been a lesson," said Tom, after a while. "These here bits of
padding ha' saved our lives no end, while the game of a runnin' fight
aer bothered them critters more than anything. Boys, the time aer come
to give 'em more pepper. It don't stand to reason that we should sit in
here and see 'em palaverin', and makin' ready for more devilry. So I'm
fer advising that Jacob swings the beauties round agin, and takes us in
amongst them varmint. Ef we goes on, we shows we aer afraid. Ef we turns
in amongst them, we lets 'em see we're axin' fer more. Get yer irons
loaded."
For a few moments only the ring of ramrods was to be heard, and the
click of revolver locks.
"Guess we're ready," said Seth shortly, a wide grin on his face. "Ef
thar's a one here as don't fancy the business, he'd best get down now.
Thar aer room out thar on the prairie."
A chorus of laughter greeted this sally, but was silenced by Tom.
"Ef Seth thar, Tricky Seth as we calls him, ain't specially careful," he
sang out, "we'll hang him out in front as a scarecrow fer them varmint
ter shoot at. Jack, jest you come forward. It does a young 'un like yer
good to have a bit of experience. Jest come along with me and keep a
watch on the hosses. Now, Jacob, boy, you kin fetch 'em round and give
'em their heads; and don't ferget to swing them ef the muss gets too
thick. That last turn of yours jest bamboozled the critters more than
anythin'."
Swinging the team round, Jacob set them towards the Indians at a smart
pace, while a shout came from the scouts.
"Jest to tell 'em we're perky," smiled Tom. "Gee! They're goin' ter
stand up to it, so it'll be a fight. Boys, you kin get in with the
shootin' when ye're ready."
A short, sharp and extremely savage conflict followed, during which the
Indians crowded round the wagon, while Jacob manoeuvred his team in
such a manner that they could never actually obtain a grip of the huge
conveyance. And all the while Tom and his comrades emptied their weapons
into the enemy, knocking numbers out of their saddles. Indeed, never
before, in all probability, had this particular tribe been so severely
handled, and, unable to face the punishment, they turned swiftly and
fled, leaving many of their comrades dotting the plain, while no fewer
than seventeen horses stood cropping the grass.
"Which shows that the varmint aer properly scared," said Tom exultingly,
when the enemy had broken and fled. "An Injun likes to get away with his
dead and wounded ef he kin. Ef he kin't, and leaves, it's a sure sign
he's been mauled. Boys, thar are hosses out thar that'll pay to keep.
Let's get into our saddles."
Jacob pulled in his team with a jerk, while the hunters leaped from the
wagon. Saddles were swiftly thrown on the backs of the horses they had
secured to their own wheelers, and in a trice they were riding away. It
took but ten minutes to round up the Indian ponies, which were secured
together by passing the reins of one through those of another, and so
on, till all were secured.
"We can move along now," sang out Tom at length. "Them critters is away
over thar watchin', and they'll be back to tend to their men as soon as
we're gone. We ain't got nothin' more to fear from 'em. We've give 'em
real pepper."