attack.

[Illustration: The Comanche's Attack.]

Jerry, myself and Hal rode out towards the spot where we had seen them,
and a very few moments served to convince us that they meant business;
for they were scattered, with the evident intention of surrounding us.

"That won't work," said Jerry. "We'll just go back to the wagons and stay
there and fight it out on our own dung-hill. There ain't more'n a dozen
of 'em, and, ef we can't lick that number of thievin' Comanches, we don't
desarve to git to California, no how."

We had hardly returned to the wagons before the Indians began to show
their tactics by riding around us in a circle, each time coming nearer
and nearer, until finally, when within easy range, they threw themselves
over upon the sides of their horses and let fly a shower of arrows, that
fell among us without doing any harm, other than frightening the stock.

"Don't a man of yer fire till I giv the order, and when they come abreast
of us agin give it to 'em with your rifles; but don't one of yer waste a
shot."

Once more we saw them coming--saw them preparing to throw themselves over
to shoot from under their horses' necks, and--

"Now for it," cried Jerry, "give it to 'em!" and we forthwith gave them a
volley that caused two of their number to fall headlong to the ground.
This brought the party to a halt, and they retreated out of the range of
our rifles, for the purpose of holding a consultation.