CHAPTER XLVI.TREACHERY.
As Long Dave had said, the settlers’ train had been attacked by the Indians—the same band that had besieged them all day, awaiting for night to come on so that they could attack with greater safety to themselves and less danger of defeat.
Red Dick was at the bottom of this attack. Having recovered partially from the effects of his severe fall, he was determined that he would be revenged upon all who witnessed his disgraceful departure from his position as guide.
Wistfully the eyes of the emigrants had scanned the prairie all that long day, in hopes of seeing the coming of the scout and reënforcements.
Night came, and no succor was visible, and with determined manner the men set to work to defend to the end of their lives their families and their riches.
The Indians commenced the attack as soon as it was dark, and charged boldly down upon the train; but during the day the emigrants had strongly fortified their position, and after a sharp and short fight the attacking party fell back.
Yet they did not dream of defeat, and their savage minds began to plot various methods of taking the settlers at a disadvantage, for the Indian never cares to fight an open battle if he can gain his ends by cunning and strategy.
Failing in one plan after the other, Red Dick at length determined to lead one desperate charge, in column, hoping to break through the line by mere weight and numbers.
He was preparing his red allies for the work, when suddenly a cry of alarm was heard in their rear, and up dashed the Branded Brotherhood, with their desperate chief at their head.
The Sioux warriors at first thought they were being attacked by a troop of soldiers, and began to scatter in all directions, when the loud voice of Red Dick recalled them, for he recognized the commanding form of Ricardo.
Riding up to Ricardo, he cried:
“Hello, chief! Have you come to aid me in a division of the spoils?”
Ricardo turned his keen look upon the renegade, and, apparently recognizing him, answered:
“You are, then, leading this attack upon my wagon train, renegade?”
“Your train, chief? Not so fast—for I guided this train from Kansas City,” replied Red Dick.
“Yes, guided them into a trap, for you are backed by your band of Dog Soldier Sioux, I see.”
“And they’ll stick to me, too, you bet, chief. Once I owed allegiance to you, but I got tired of hard knocks and little pay, so I sided with these Injuns and they made me their chief, and they’ve been waiting for me to bring out this train for weeks.
“Them settlers are a leetle too strong for me, I admit, for we’ve tried ’em for some time; but there’s honor among thieves, you know, chief, and I’ll share squarely with you and the boys if you give me a lift.”
“Red Dick, you are a fool, to think I would share a prize with you and your red hounds. True, there was a truce between your band of red devils and my men; but you are a deserter from my ranks, and ifyou do not immediately draw off your band, I’ll shoot you down as I would a dog, and then scalp every one of your gang that I can catch.”
Ricardo spoke sternly, and turning to Red Roark, his lieutenant, gave an order in a low voice.
Red Dick’s face flamed with anger.
“Now, look here, boss, you don’t hold the ace as much as you think, ’cause my redskins ain’t a-goin’ to ’low no foolishness, if we has to fight for it, and as to killing a fellow like a dog, why, two kin play at that game, and no questions axed.”
As Red Dick spoke, he gave a loud war whoop, and leveled his pistol at Ricardo, who, as quick as lightning, had his own weapon covering the head of the renegade.
Thus, threateningly, the two men stood at bay, while around them gathered their separate bands.
What might have been the result of this impromptu duel between the two chiefs, it would be hard to say, but just at that moment there was a terrific discharge of firearms, fired in regular order, a loud cheering and a rushing of hoofs.
Before the surprised Indians and bandits could offer any resistance, a squadron of cavalry charged through their line, firing as they rode; and, dashing swiftly toward the camp, the next moment they were safe within the fortification, while cheer after cheer rang out from the rejoicing emigrants.
“Cusses on it, chief! While we’s quarreling here like two tomcats on a fence, that cussed Captain la Clyde and his troopers has gotten through our line and reënforced the emigrants.”
Red Dick growled the words savagely, at the same time lowering his pistol.
“That is true, Red Dick; and, after all, we had better unite our forces and wage a common war upon the train,” responded Ricardo.
It was too dark for his foe to see the evil look of mischief that flashed in his eyes.
“I’m agreed, boss, kase, you see, it’s no use talking about us rooting out that nest of hornets unless we jine forces,” Red Dick answered.
“Very well, Red Dick,” said the chief. “Now, my plan is that you take the greater part of your redskins up the river above the camp, and, taking to the water, swim down and attack them from that quarter, while I keep up a constant fire upon them in our front.
“When you have landed and given the signal, I will charge with my men, aided by those you leave with me.”
“It’s a good plan, Ricardo, and we’ll set out at once,” replied Red Dick, and accompanied by the greater number of his savage men, the desperado strode away, leaving a small guard over his horses.
As cunning as Red Dick was, and as wicked, he was no match for Ricardo, for he had not anticipated that the chief would betray him.
But hardly had the renegade and his red allies been gone fifteen minutes, when the remaining Indians were quietly surrounded by the Branded Brotherhood, and, wholly unsuspecting treachery, were suddenly terrified by being unexpectedly set upon by those whom they believed their friends.
Without warning, the Brotherhood instantly rushed upon the Indian warriors, and before the slightest resistancecould be offered, a score of them lay dead upon the prairie.
And still the work of slaughter went on, until the few remaining savages crouched together in dismay, not knowing which way to turn; for, although it was the Indian method to surprise and massacre defenseless victims, they had never before had the tables turned upon them.
“Kill every cursed red heathen; leave not one to escape and warn his companions,” cried Ricardo.
In vain did the terrified wretches attempt to break through the human barrier that surrounded them, but everywhere they were met by steel and bullet.
At length the slaughter ended. Then, with a grim and cruel smile, Ricardo turned to Red Roark and said:
“Roark, yonder comes the girl and her father and the led horses. I wish you to collect these Indian ponies, and with a guard of ten men, move down the river to the next motte and wait there until you hear from me.”
“That will leave you only forty men, chief, with which to tackle the camp and the Injins, too,” Roark responded.
“True, but I intend Red Dick and his crew shall play Kilkenny cats with the settlers. When they have about used each other up, I will be on hand to reap the spoils. Now, be off at once; and mind you, Roark, treat that girl with every respect.”
“I hear you, chief.”
“And see that you heed; now I will move to the river bank, and aid the settlers in driving off Red Dick and his devils.”
“You wouldn’t fire upon the redskins, chief?”
“Certainly; each one I slay is one out of my way to eventual success.”
So saying, Ricardo called to his band to follow him, mounted his horse, and rode slowly in the direction of the camp.
Approaching within a hundred yards, under cover of a few straggling trees, he sent Long Dave and his Indian scout on abreast, to creep up the river bank, and give warning when Red Dick and his followers should attempt a landing.
He had not long to wait before the two scouts returned and reported the river black with the heads of the attacking party.
Then, lest the settlers should really be surprised, and the Indians take the camp without his aid, Ricardo gave a low order, and under cover of the bank, the Brotherhood approached until they could indistinctly see the dark mass upon the water, which they knew to be the swimming warriors.
In the encampment all was quiet as the grave, and every glimmer of light had disappeared; but, whether it was from negligence in keeping guard, or from watchfulness, none knew.
However, the chief felt that he had to be wary, for Captain la Clyde was known to be an expert and daring fighter, and might be setting some trap in which to catch his enemies.
Slowly and steadily the moving mass of heads swerved shoreward, the waters undisturbed by a single ripple, so quietly did the Indians swim, and at last several tall forms reached the shore and stood upright.
Others followed, and the braves were preparing forthe deadly rush, their hearts beating with joy at the hope of success.
“Aim true, men; let every shot tell. Fire!”
In answer to the low, stern order of the bandit chief, a terrible volley rang forth from the river bank, and a withering hail of lead was poured upon the human mass, who seemed to sink beneath the deadly assault.
Then rang the stentorian voice of Red Dick.
“At them, you red devils! Cut them into pieces.”
Rallying around their brave but wicked chief, the Dog Soldier Sioux, in spite of their deadly greeting, and fully relying upon the support of the Branded Brotherhood, rushed up the embankment, to be again driven back by the terrible fire poured upon them by the settlers.
Coolly, and with a cruel smile upon his lips, and deadly hatred in the glitter of his eyes, Ricardo stood with folded arms, gazing upon the combat, unmoved by the scene of bloodshed his double treachery was causing.
“Ha, ha, ha!” he laughed. “Did Red Dick think I, Ricardo, chief of the Branded Brotherhood, would share a prize with him and his red hounds? Little does he know me!”
For some moments the fight continued; the redskins, encouraged by Red Dick and his conspicuous courage, fighting as seldom men fight in a bad cause. Then even Indian human nature could stand no more, for half of their number had fallen.
Yet no cheering cry came from the other side of the camp to show that Ricardo had attacked, as he had promised.
Suddenly a warrior glided to the side of Red Dick,and said a few words in a hasty and excited tone, and the renegade’s voice rang out loud and clear:
“Back, warriors! to the water all of you, for the Branded Brotherhood have betrayed us, and are laughing at us now.”
Red Dick spoke in the Sioux tongue, and well did his dusky braves understand him. Seized with a panic of fear, they rushed headlong into the water, uttering yells of terror. Then again was heard the ringing order from Ricardo’s trumpetlike voice:
“Fire upon them, men! Kill every red hound.”
Again the rifles of the Brotherhood flashed forth in livid flame, and between two fires the Sioux warriors melted away, and the river was stained dark with their blood.
Only a few succeeded in reaching the other shore, and most of that number were bleeding from wounds received. Among those few was Red Dick.
The rising moon showed upon his face a look of fiendish hatred and a thirst for revenge, a revenge which he intended to devote his life to accomplish, for at last he fully understood the deep treachery of his evil ally.
“Come, braves; we are outcasts now, and must go back to our village; but the day of retribution shall come for Ricardo and his band of robbers. They have slain our young men, robbed us of the spoils of battle, betrayed us to ruin and death, and brought wailing and sorrow into our wigwams. Come, warriors of the Sioux nation; we will go to our village.”
No word in reply was uttered, but silently, like grim specters, the remnant of Red Dick’s band of Dog Soldiers stole away across the moonlit prairie.