CHAPTER XIV
An Attack in Force
The light was strong, and the pink tinge in the sky away to the east wasalready 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 themriding in a cluster, and coming at a sharp canter.
"Likely as not they've seed us ten minutes ago," said Tom, taking aclose 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 onthe 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, thethought of the coming conflict gave him not so much as a qualm. Had thesame thing been about to occur three days ago he would perhaps not havebeen so cheerful; for it is uncertainties which try men, doubt as to thefuture, and, where blows are to be expected, a vague wondering as to howthey will bear themselves. But Jack had met danger already, and met itmanfully. In his heart he knew well that he had earned the esteem ofthese hardened scouts, and at the thought he threw up his head andlaughed again.
"Jest like that, aer it?" smiled Tom. "Wall, I knows how yer feel, and Iain't surprised. Yer ain't got no call to fear any ruction in thefuture, 'cos ye've had an innings, and that teaches a chap a heap. Butit aer time to climb into the wagon."
By now all the friends were gathered close beside the huge vehicle saveJacob, who gripped the reins, and Steve, who lay on the boards within.Not one of the men appeared anything but absolutely cool. Indeed theydisplayed a certain amount of cheerfulness which would have helped tokeep up the courage of any weakling, had there been one amongst them.Slipping from their saddles, they unbuckled girths and carried thesaddles to the back of the wagon, where one of their number built theminto a breastwork. The others at the same time made the bridles fast tothe headstall of the wheelers drawing the wagon. Then, at a call fromTom, they came clambering into the wagon.
"And jest you watch them legs of mine," sang out Steve cheerily. "Thishere Jack's saved 'em fer me with a bit of trouble, and it aer cost themvarmint back thar a hull heap, not ter speak of a bad headache that oneof 'em's got. Wall, jest keep yer big boots off me. I don't want terdiscourage a youngster, and I jest want ter show Jack thar that themlegs 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. Abiscuit box propped up one elbow, while the sacking, with its thickpadding of grass, was pulled down a few inches.
"So that I kin see ter shoot over," growled Steve, "I ain't fergot asthem varmint aer had a bit of fun outer me. Wall, I never did likeowin'. I'm agoin' ter pay back prompt, and I'll give 'em full measure efI 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 werebunched close together, and were carrying on a heated conversation.Behind them rode the younger men, and it was clear from the manner inwhich they broke from the throng ever and again, and reluctantlyrejoined it, that they were eager to begin the attack.
"In course they'll divide," said Tom coolly. "And some of their bestmen'll be told off to ride in and shoot the hosses, or hamstring 'em ifthey kin get close enough. Wall, Steve and me'll see to that, and two ofthe others kin help. Jacob'll shake up the hosses every time thecritters make a rush, so as to give 'em harder work ter do. Youothers'll get in a shot whenever yer kin. It don't need tellin' that yermight jest as well not shoot as miss. Ye've got ter kill every time, ordamage 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 crittersget too near to the hosses. The guns they has ain't much good over ahundred yards. Jest keep 'em that far off, and we shan't come to anyhurt."
Five minutes later it was apparent that this body of Indians was led bya crafty individual; for, having divided, instead of dashing forward andattacking the wagon on either side, the two bands, some thirty strongin each case, cantered past the wagon till they were well ahead. Then,to Jack's amazement, they spread themselves out on either side of thetrack which the wagon would take if it continued the course it was thenfollowing.
"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 totrail on between them, when every man'll let fly with his popgun. Efthey bring down the hosses we're stranded, and they kin then set to workto 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 theleft, 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 wantto coax 'em nearer, so as we kin give 'em pepper."
With the huge odds against them it was obvious that it would be to theadvantage of the little party of hunters to inflict a severe lesson onthe Indians at the very onset of the conflict. And all realized thatTom's scheme was best calculated to bring that about. Kneeling behindthe breastwork formed all round the wagon, the scouts peered out frombeneath the tilt, their weapons ready to their hands. Jacob, sittinghigh on the box, wielded the reins with a master hand. Leaning forwardso as to give his whip arm free play, he sent the long lash cracking andswishing over the team. Then, having brought them to a canter, hesteered them direct for the open space left between the two lines ofIndian horsemen. There was a howl of rage as he swung the team to theleft, 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 ofgunshot.
"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 clearagin Injun nature ter trouble with hossflesh when there's white folksabout and scalps to be taken. But jest watch it, Tom. Some of 'em willtry a rush in, so as to put a bullet into the team."
Indeed, in less than a minute one of the young braves accompanying theenemy suddenly started from their ranks and galloped madly towards thewagon. His reins lay on the horse's neck, while already his gun was athis shoulder. Tom instantly threw his own weapon into position, pausedfor 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 bekilled."
It was not likely that an old Indian fighter like Steve would bemistaken, and indeed the next few minutes proved that, for other bravesdashed from the ranks, singly or in twos and threes. And on eachoccasion Tom and his comrades defeated their object. None of theirbullets went astray. The men who were firing were no hotheads, nountrained recruits. They aimed steadily and coolly, and never missed.
"That aer checked them fer a little," said Tom, as the Indians drew awayand rode on a level with the wagon, but some three hundred yards to theright. "They'll get to and have a palaver fer a bit, and then they'lltry a rush. That aer what we've got ter fear. Thar's a good fifty of thecritters left, and ef they can get all round us, why, some of 'em'll dofer the team while we're busy with the others. Then there won't be nostoppin' them. Yer know the game to play, Jacob?"
The big hunter, perched high on his box, looked round and grinned atTom.
"Yer bet," he answered. "It's ter be a circus. Yer kin calkilate on meter do the right thing at the right moment. I'll give the team an easytime till them critters gets frisky agin."
For more than half an hour the little party proceeded on their way, theteam walking, while the Indians rode their horses still at the samedistance from the wagon. For a while they had stopped, and there hadbeen a palaver. Then they had followed at a trot, and as soon as theywere level with the wagon had begun to walk their animals.
"Yer kin see their new g
ame," cried Tom after a while. "Thar's roughishground ahead. Yer kin see rocks rising in the grass, and they calkilatester charge when we're fixed up amongst the boulders. Thar wouldn't bethe same chance of manoeuvring then, and things wouldn't be sofavourable 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'treasonable, and ain't the way of men sich as we aer. We're in fer a musswith them critters, either here or down among the rocks. Wall, do itwant decidin' what we aer ter do?"
"Pull the team round, Jacob," sang out Tom promptly, "and get yer ironsready, boys. Thar'll be a bit of shouting. Gee! It fair makes me grin tothink how them critters'll be swearin'."
Once more Jacob's whip cracked over the team and set them in rapidmotion, a pace which the enemy rapidly adopted. Indeed, it seemed as ifthe party at whose capture or death they aimed was actually hastening toits own destruction. But the Indians had as crafty a set of men to dealwith as themselves. A howl presently escaped them as Jacob swung histeam in a complete circle, and sent them heading back over thewheelmarks they had just made.
"Jest watch it, boys," sang out Tom. "Human natur can't stand that 'eresort of thing, and Injun natur in partic'ler. They've jest beenbamboozled, and ef there aer a thing that's sartin ter raise the danderof 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 pacewith it--for the team had again dropped to a walk--and maintaining thesame distance from it. Then Steve suddenly drew the attention of hiscomrades to a remarkable fact.
"Ain't they cute!" he cried. "They're givin' the idea that they're jestridin' along at the same distance. But ef yer watch carefully, themcritters is edgin' in all the while. In a bit they'll be near enough tomake 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 atan Indian who, by his gestures, and the manner in which the othersfollowed him, was undoubtedly the leader. Then the interior of the wagonwas filled with blinding smoke, while a thundering detonation deafenedthe little party of white men. Instantly the Indian chief threw up hisarms, 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 angerthat anyone might well have been alarmed. For it was contrary to Indianhabit to give way so openly to wrath. It seemed, indeed, as if theconflict they had entered upon with these whites had tried the temper ofthe enemy more than usual, and if Jack had only known it his ownunexpected success against them, the manner in which he had slain two oftheir most cunning young braves, had maddened the others. They felt asif their reputation, even their bravery, had received a sore check. Now,on top of that, this solitary wagon was being manoeuvred in a mannerwhich outgeneralled all their schemes, for the parties of diggers makingacross the plains upon whom the Indians were wont to make attacks felltoo 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 themcritters'll be coming."
The words had hardly left his lips when the whole band of Indians swepttheir horses round to face the wagon, and, digging their heels into theflanks of the animals, spurred them forward at a mad gallop. What apicture they made too! In more or less close formation, their featheredheaddress flying in the breeze, and the trimmings of their overalls andmoccasins fluttering, they raced towards the wagon with eyes staring andarms brandished over their heads. A perfect tumult of noise proceededfrom their ranks, while they had hardly covered ten yards before theirguns spoke out, sending bullets hissing across the space which dividedthem from the white men.
"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. Alreadyhe was bending forward, while the crack of his long lash broke thesilence before the Indian guns spoke. He called to the horses as only apractised teamster could do, and at once the wagon swayed and rocked andjerked. Then it gathered momentum, and long ere the enemy had approachedwithin a hundred and fifty yards the big, lumbering contrivance was wellunder way, dashing over the prairie at a pace which caused the Indiansat once to swing their horses forward and gallop harder so as to comewithin reach In fact, it was this sudden movement which proved thesafeguard of the little party of hunters. For otherwise, had they beenstationary, they would have had fifty or more of the enemy about them atthe same moment, and so quickly, too, that there would have been littletime for the rifles to make an impression. As it was, they had somebreathing space, and much use did they make of it.
"Leaders always, mates!" sang out Tom. "It aer always the best. Itthrows the others into a fix and delays 'em."
Short, sharp, and precise the shots rang out from the wagon, while theinterior was presently filled with thick, sulphurous smoke. But thatmade no difference to the defenders, for the pace at which they weremoving constantly cleared the atmosphere. It was Steve who first openedthe duel. His weapon cracked sharply, and at once one of the leadingIndian horses fell with a crash, throwing his rider. The animalfollowing managed to leap over his fallen comrade, but a second tripped,and after him a third came to grief, leaving a pile of struggling menand lashing hoofs on the grass. But such an incident could not stop suchlarge numbers. Spreading a little, they came racing in towards thewagon, while the heavy thuds outside told that bullets were flying. Butmissiles were also passing in the opposite direction, true to theirmark, for each one of the scouts was a master hand with a rifle. EvenJack made good use of his weapon, and brought more than one of the enemyrolling, while the negro who accompanied the party, to tend to the teamand 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 otherboys make time with 'em at the sides, and jest see that the crittersdon't climb in behind. Jack, post yerself thar, and give 'em fits efthey try it."
Dropping their empty weapons, each one of the defenders gripped hisrevolver, and in some instances they had two. As for Jack, he crawled tothe back of the wagon, and, leaning over the saddles, waited for thetime for action. And it was not long in coming. With a heave and a rollthe wagon swung sharply to the left, for Jacob was a cunning hand. Andthe sudden change of direction threw the aim of the enemy out. A momentor two before several had been within easy reach of the wheelers of theteam 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 himwith terrific force, and threw him and his mount to the ground. With ashout the others galloped up behind, and in a second there was a sea offaces, of bobbing heads, and of tossing manes presented to our hero.
"Take 'em cool!" shouted Tom, who seemed to have an eye for everythingand everyone.
Jack levelled his weapon steadily, aimed at the foremost man, and sent abullet crashing into his head. At the same instant he was almost blindedby a spurt of flame, while something hissed past his head, and, passingthrough the length of the wagon, buried itself in the box on which Jacobsat.
"Bully fer ye, Jack!" shouted Seth, springing to our hero's side. "Yerbagged 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, andwhen it was ended Jack remembered nothing beyond that first shot, thefall of the Indian, and the ball which had hissed past his own cheek.Yet, there he was, standing beside the breastwork of saddles, holding anempty and smoking revolver in his hand, while directly in rear was abunch of fallen men, with their patient horses standing beside them. Andall the while he had a dim perception that shots were echoing all roundhim. From either
side of the wagon a stream of bullets had hurtled, andeven now men were being added to that bunch upon which his eye wasfixed.
"Yer kin take it slow and cool," sang out Tom at last, his voicestartling our hero. "Them critters has had their pepper, and ef they'rewise 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 tocome 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 quicklybound up the wound.
Meanwhile Jack had looked carefully about him, for the smoke had againcleared from the interior of the wagon. One thing struck him withamazement. The white tilt of the wagon, which had been rolled up so thatthe defenders could see from beneath it, was no longer the neat, nicelyhung 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 wasattracted to the rents. "Them critters came close, and would ha' got tothe hosses ef it hadn't been that Jacob had the ribbons. But yer can seehow close they war. Reckon this here padding aer saved some of us."
It was clear, indeed, that but for the timely preparations of the scoutsthey would have fared badly, for the enemy had actually battered theoutside of the wagon with their tomahawks, and had their weapons beenloaded when they arrived at such close quarters no doubt they would havepoured bullets into the interior. But they had expended their shots onthe way, trusting to their terrible tomahawks for close hand-to-handwork, an opportunity for which had never been allowed them.
"It aer been a lesson," said Tom, after a while. "These here bits ofpadding ha' saved our lives no end, while the game of a runnin' fightaer bothered them critters more than anything. Boys, the time aer cometo give 'em more pepper. It don't stand to reason that we should sit inhere and see 'em palaverin', and makin' ready for more devilry. So I'mfer advising that Jacob swings the beauties round agin, and takes us inamongst them varmint. Ef we goes on, we shows we aer afraid. Ef we turnsin amongst them, we lets 'em see we're axin' fer more. Get yer ironsloaded."
For a few moments only the ring of ramrods was to be heard, and theclick of revolver locks.
"Guess we're ready," said Seth shortly, a wide grin on his face. "Efthar'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," hesang out, "we'll hang him out in front as a scarecrow fer them varmintter shoot at. Jack, jest you come forward. It does a young 'un like yergood to have a bit of experience. Jest come along with me and keep awatch 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 toothick. That last turn of yours jest bamboozled the critters more thananythin'."
Swinging the team round, Jacob set them towards the Indians at a smartpace, while a shout came from the scouts.
"Jest to tell 'em we're perky," smiled Tom. "Gee! They're goin' terstand up to it, so it'll be a fight. Boys, you kin get in with theshootin' when ye're ready."
A short, sharp and extremely savage conflict followed, during which theIndians crowded round the wagon, while Jacob manoeuvred his team insuch a manner that they could never actually obtain a grip of the hugeconveyance. And all the while Tom and his comrades emptied their weaponsinto the enemy, knocking numbers out of their saddles. Indeed, neverbefore, in all probability, had this particular tribe been so severelyhandled, and, unable to face the punishment, they turned swiftly andfled, leaving many of their comrades dotting the plain, while no fewerthan 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 hisdead and wounded ef he kin. Ef he kin't, and leaves, it's a sure signhe'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 thewagon. Saddles were swiftly thrown on the backs of the horses they hadsecured to their own wheelers, and in a trice they were riding away. Ittook but ten minutes to round up the Indian ponies, which were securedtogether by passing the reins of one through those of another, and soon, till all were secured.
"We can move along now," sang out Tom at length. "Them critters is awayover thar watchin', and they'll be back to tend to their men as soon aswe're gone. We ain't got nothin' more to fear from 'em. We've give 'emreal pepper."
Indian and Scout: A Tale of the Gold Rush to California Page 14
