CHAPTER XLIV.RUNNING THE GANTLET.
“Every man to his post.”
It was the clear and commanding voice of Buffalo Bill that gave the order. The effect upon the pioneers was electrical, for they felt that in him they had a leader who fully understood the cunning of the Indians, and whose bravery was upon every tongue on the frontier.
“Buffalo Bill, you are well accustomed to scenes like this one about to be forced upon us, and I would like you to take command,” cried Major Conrad, advancing quickly to the side of the scout.
Buffalo Bill glanced out upon the prairie toward the coming Indians, as he replied:
“Fortunately the train is in corral, sir, and the men are ready for a fight. I would advise that the women and children be placed under cover of the river bank yonder. The ravine will protect the horses and cattle, while, with the wagons for the breastwork, the men can hold out splendidly.”
This advice was acted upon, and in a few moments the camp was ready for action. Stationing himself upon the outer edge of the line of wagons, Buffalo Bill was seen to suddenly raise his repeating rifle; a quick aim, a shot, and a painted warrior fell from his horse.
The yell of exultation from the emigrants was answered by a series of wild war whoops from the infuriated Indians.
“Now, Major Conrad,” said the scout, “you see thatI know yonder renegade guide well, for he is doubtless the leader of the approaching band of redskins, and was guiding you into a trap.”
“We have much to thank you for, sir,” was the earnest answer; “but the Indians have halted.”
“Yes, they are too wary to charge these lines in the daytime, and——”
“And what, sir?” asked Major Conrad, as the scout paused thoughtfully.
“And by nightfall I can bring relief, for not many miles from here is a band of Pawnees hunting buffalo.”
“But, sir, you can never escape from here, for see, the Indians are beginning to surround us, and two separate parties are swimming the river.”
The scout took in the scene at once, and then said quietly:
“You must hold the red devils at bay. Mind, act only on the defensive, and I will run the gantlet of their fire, and bring what relief I can.”
A shrill whistle followed, and Midnight trotted up to his master, and stood ready for his command. Remonstrance with the scout was useless; and after another warning to all, he sprang into the saddle and rode down to the river.
A word of encouragement to Midnight, and the noble animal bounded into the clear waters, and was soon swimming bravely toward the other shore, followed by the eyes of all the emigrants, who were wafting Godspeed to the daring man periling his life to aid them.
Before half the river was crossed the Indians discovered the scout, and with discordant yells the twoparties, one up and the other down the stream, rushed to cut him off.
The scout observed their intention, but kept bravely on, urging his horse to swim still faster. Leading one of these parties who were rushing toward the point where the scout was to land, was the traitor guide, Red Dick, who now seemed to feel assured that his revenge would be satiated, for he urged his large roan forward at a tremendous pace, quickly shooting ahead of the inferior horses ridden by the redskins.
Soon the scout reached the other shore and dismounted, while the horse shook himself like a huge Newfoundland dog. Then the girths were tightened, and the holster pistols returned to their places; after which the scout mounted as coolly as though almost certain death did not stare him in the face.
The deadly rifle was raised, and with a quick aim was fired in the direction of the band farthest off. A red brave threw up his arms and fell from his horse, to be trampled upon by those behind.
Again the rifle rang out, and the large roan ridden by Red Dick was seen to stagger, stumble, and then go heavily down, hurling his giant rider with terrible force upon the ground.
From the lips of Buffalo Bill there came then a war whoop of defiance, and away bounded Midnight, keeping an equal distance between the two lines rushing furiously upon him and hardly more than two hundred yards distant.
“On, Midnight, for you have a brave duty to perform,” cried Buffalo Bill, as he turned in his saddle and glanced back toward the camp.
Seeing the action, the pioneers gave him three heartycheers, which the Indians answered with their discordant yells.
“But, what is the daring rider going to do? Has his courage failed him? Is he mad?”
Such were the hurried questions that burst from the lips of the astonished emigrants, as they saw Buffalo Bill suddenly come to a halt, and coolly gaze first upon one side and then upon the other.
The Indians also saw him halt, and their superstitious minds were impressed with the idea that he was laughing at their efforts to take him, and intended to escape by some supernatural means unknown to them, for, often before had they known him to elude them when in their very grasp.
With their leader dismounted, and apparently hurt, for Red Dick was seated beside his dead horse, the Indians hardly knew what to do, and, as they drew nearer and nearer to the mysterious scout, they gradually checked the speed of their horses, until the smaller party, consisting of a dozen braves, came to a halt, and with wondering eyes and wild gestures, seemed to be holding a council of war.
This was what Buffalo Bill had expected. As soon as the squadron halted, he wheeled Midnight, and, with the air ringing and echoing with his terrible war cries, and a revolver in each hand, he charged directly upon the astonished savages.
Then he added to their consternation by opening a brisk and telling fire upon them. It proved fatal in several instances. The frightened braves turned and fled, and, with the speed of an arrow, the scout rushed on toward the open prairie, having safely run the terrible gantlet.
Then, as the emigrants looked with eager eyes, they beheld the cause of the sudden movement of Buffalo Bill, fordirectlyin his former path arose the forms of a dozen painted warriors, doubtless of the same band, who were hiding in a shallow gulch and would have sprung up in the pathway of the scout, had not his quick eye detected the plumed head of some brave too eager to catch his prey to keep wholly concealed.
The watching emigrants saw with pleasure that the Indians quickly gave up the chase, for the famous steed of the scout left them rapidly behind.
In an hour Midnight appeared as a mere speck upon the prairie.