"
"Yes, sor."
I then crept slowly back to my own flank, and ordered a disposition of
my half of the party so as to command the space in front of the line
of tents. In another instant the flames were ascending two
tree-trunks, and the rapid cracking of rifles broke our long reserve.
With the first scream of a bullet through their flimsy shelters the
Indians leaped out and ran for the river. Few fell. Rapid zigzags and
the swinging of blankets and arms as they ran confused the aim of the
soldiers. In less than five minutes the last Apache was out of sight,
and the firing had ceased.
We dashed up to the tents, and I rushed to the one from which I had
seen the hand and tress thrust out, and called, "Brenda!" There was no
response or sound. Looking into the entrance, I saw in the dim light
of the awakening day the figure of a girl lying on her back, her feet
extended towards me, and her head touching the rear wall. The right
arm lay along her side, and the left was thrown above her head, the
fingers still holding her hair.
A terrible fear seized my heart.
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