Page 122 (1/1)

"I know," she answered cal of Indian tales; yet could I not prove some aid beside you?"

"Nay, little woman; there is scarcely rooht with freer hand knowing you are safe froe blow behind the rock Come, my lady, it is full tiiving to each ht, and never before did I have such incentive to battle as I read within the depths of her dark eyes as she caretfully withdrew her hands froetful of all else, until De Noyan's voice, harsh noith excite combat, recalled me to myself and my post of duty

"It is ti with the rare French courtesy of battle "Let Monsieur Cairnes find place upon ht, while Master Benteen, do you keep the left It will be better to crouch low until I speak the word, and then God give you both strong arhly piled bowlders in my front I had a fair view up the valley, and was enabled toparty as it advanced cautiously toward our position It was co fellows for savages, naked froht in color, and unpainted as is the usual Indian custo a head ofhim a peculiarly ferocious aspect The entire band nals, which uish not the slightest sound of speech However, it was a relief to note they bore no weapons in their hands excepting the spear and the war-club, clear evidence that they had limited, if any, trade intercourse with Europeans Yet they came on with such steadiness of purpose, amid such impressive silence, I instinctively felt we stood opposed to no tribe of cowards, whatever their name

As they crept, rather than walked, forward into the open space in our front, their restless, searching eyes were not long in perceiving the irregular outlines of our rude barricade, nor were they dilatory in deciding that behind that pile of rock were to be discovered those they sought No attacking party operating upon the eastern continent, guided by all the strategy of civilized war, could have acted more promptly, or to better purpose The old chief ht, and in instant response his clustered bunch of warriors spread out in regulated intervals, assu positions not unlike the sticks of a fan such as the Creoles use, until they forainst the cliff, and their centre well back upon the bank of the stream It was a prettydiscipline, and De Noyan brought his hand down applauding upon his knee