The cabin could be approached only on the
east and west sides, and was unassailable at its north and south ends.
Each wall contained a small window, except the one which rested
against the butte, and there a wide, stone fireplace had been built.
Three men with plenty of rations and ammunition could make a good
defence. Water could be had by lowering a bucket or canteen from the
southern window to the spring, twenty-four feet below its sill.
The Indians had discovered that we had found shelter from their
pursuit and for the present were safe, and all but five, who soon
afterwards appeared in the edge of the forest to the east, had joined
the main party to the west of us. They showed great respect for our
place of refuge and rifles, and kept well out of range. The
sergeant's and my Springfield rifle could throw a bullet farther and
could be loaded more rapidly than any rifles in their possession, and
Frank with his Spencer could fire about twenty balls to our one.
We removed the saddles and bridles from our animals, and, hitching
them in the corners each side of the fireplace, began a discussion of
our prospects.
Pages:
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65