Part 10 (1/2)

”I do not think they will come, after all,” I observed to Uncle Jeff; ”more than an hour has pa.s.sed since Bartle returned.”

He looked at his watch. ”It is not one o'clock yet,” he observed; ”and Bartle does not often make a mistake.”

Just as he spoke, I saw the plumes of a chief's head-dress rising over a point of rocky ground round which the road pa.s.sed, and shortly afterwards a band of painted warriors came into view. They approached very cautiously, and gazed about them, as if expecting at any moment to encounter an enemy. Finding, however, that none of us were visible, they began to advance at a more rapid rate. Immediately afterwards I saw another and a much larger party coming over the hill, who, as they drew near, scattered themselves in every direction, so as to be able to get under shelter behind the intervening rocks and shrubs.

”Tell the men to be ready,” cried Uncle Jeff; ”and charge them not to fire until I give the word,--they must not throw a shot away.”

I ran hastily round the building, and ascertained that every man was at his post, prepared for whatever might happen. I then returned to Uncle Jeff for further orders.

Presently an Indian belonging to the party which had descended the hill advanced towards the house with a white handkerchief on a pole.

”The fellows have some pretensions to civilisation,” said Uncle Jeff when he saw it; ”perhaps their white friends have put them up to that.”

The Indian, having got within speaking distance, now halted; but seeing no one whom he could address, he proceeded around the building, apparently examining our preparations for defence. At length he again stopped, having satisfied himself that the building was fortified, and contained a garrison.

”Friends,” he shouted, ”do you want to lose your scalps? If not, march out and leave this house to us. We mean to come in.”

Uncle Jeff now appeared at the window opposite to where the Indian was standing.

”Clear out of this, you rascal!” he exclaimed. ”We do not intend that you shall have our scalps, or get inside these walls. If you make the attempt, you will pay dearly for it; that is what I've got to say.”

The Indian seemed to recognise Uncle Jeff. ”You, Jeff Crockett,” he shouted out, ”you good man! If you like to go out you may go, and we take scalps of rest.”

Uncle Jeff burst into a loud laugh.

”That's a likely thing,” he thundered out. ”If it was not for your white flag, I would treat you as you deserve.”

The tone of voice in which this was said convinced the Indian that Uncle Jeff was in earnest; and in no very dignified fas.h.i.+on he scampered off to rejoin his companions.

The whole of the band now united in giving utterance to a terrific war-whoop, and came rus.h.i.+ng up to the house. There was no longer any doubt as to their intentions; they halted for a moment to fire, and then came right on at a rapid pace, up to the palisade.

”Now, lads, give it them!” shouted Uncle Jeff; and every bullet fired by our little garrison brought down one of our foes.

The death of their companions served but to inflame the rage of the rest; and climbing up over the palisade of which I have spoken, they attempted to get into the enclosure. Several were shot down in the act; but others succeeded in reaching the enclosure, though they soon paid dearly for their activity, as they were shot down as soon as we could reload our rifles. The loss of so many men in their first attack seemed to discourage the rest, and they drew off to a distance, under such shelter as they could find.

”We have soon settled the fellows; they have had enough of it,” cried some of our men.

”Wait a bit, lads,” said Bartle; ”that is not the Indian fas.h.i.+on. They will be upon us again before long.”

He was right; in a few minutes a considerable number of the enemy were seen moving round, in order to get to the rear of the out-buildings-- Bartle and Gideon meanwhile picking off two or three who incautiously exposed themselves. Having gained the position they desired, they made a rush towards the buildings, which sheltered them almost entirely from our fire. Breaking through the enclosure on that side, they next advanced boldly into the open s.p.a.ce in front of the stables, where they were once more exposed to view. Scarcely had they reached it when Bartle's unerring rifle brought down their leader. His followers, on seeing this, rushed into the stables, while others made their appearance in the same direction.

Either because they fancied that their chief was still alive, or that it was a disgrace to allow his body to remain on the ground, a couple of warriors dashed out for the purpose of carrying it off; but before they had time to stoop down and lift it from the ground, Gideon and Bartle's rifles had laid them both by its side. Two others followed, and were picked off by Gillooly and Klitz, both of whom showed themselves no despicable shots. In the meantime Bartle and Gideon had reloaded, and two more warriors shared the fate of the first.

As yet, all the success had been on our side; and there appeared every probability of our being able to defeat any attempt of the enemy to enter the building. Those who had got into the stables were so many withdrawn from the attack; and although under shelter, they could effect nothing against us. Had the Indians been alone, we might have kept them at bay, cunning as they were; but there were white men among them, who, although not eager to expose their own lives, were well able to a.s.sist our enemies by their advice.

Presently our a.s.sailants, with the exception of those in the stables and other out-buildings, retreated. It was but for a short time, however; soon they appeared on the opposite side of the house, many of them carrying burning brands, which they threw under the fencing. This being of combustible materials, soon blazed up; and, sheltered by the intervening flames and smoke, the enemy opened a hot fire on us. Every now and then, however, a dark form was seen, and as surely a bullet searched it out. But the whole of our little garrison was now required to keep the enemy at bay on this side; and those who had been hidden in the out-buildings took the opportunity of making their escape. Some of them, we found, had thrown themselves into the mill, which afforded them sufficient shelter to fire steadily at our loopholes with less risk of being hit in return. None of us had hitherto been struck, but no sooner had the mill been taken possession of than two of the farm hands, who were less cautious than the experienced hunters, were badly wounded--one of them mortally, while the other was unable to handle his rifle.

The palisade being now burned to the ground, we were deprived of its protection, and our a.s.sailants could consequently get close up to the walls. But though our numbers were diminished, we endeavoured, by the rapidity of our fire, not to let the enemy discover our loss.

The fight had now continued for some hours, but still our foes seemed as determined as ever to capture the place. They, or perhaps the white men, had heard a report that Uncle Jeff was the owner of fabulous wealth, of which they had resolved to make themselves the possessors.

This would account for their obstinate perseverance.