Page:The Overland Monthly Volume 5 Issue 3.djvu/29



owing to the excellent discipline observed that they did not do much more mischief. They had, of course, intended to follow up their fire by a rush to ''stampede the herd; but this possibility had been foreseen, and the arroyo guarded; and though they had lain down in the bushes, and it was not possible to see or prevent their fire, they found such a volley of lead poured among them, and such a fierce rush for their hiding-places, that they again placed safe distance between themselves and us. No further interruption took place, and we returned before evening to the rear-guard left at the entrance of the cafion, exhibiting triumphantly the results of our adventure, amidst the hearty congratulations and loudly expressed envy of our luck on the part of those left behind, whose remarks seemed like sweet music, compensating us for the extra fatigue and danger incurred. Our guard were well on the alert that night; but no alarm occurred, and we who had been in the fray were able to get a refreshing night's sleep, previous to starting next morning on the returntrip. We took a newroute, following the guide, who asserted that by going again up the cafion about seven miles, and ascending a hill, we should enter upon a level country, leading directly to camp, and saving two days' travel as well. This was most acceptable news, for we were utterly without food, except a little dried beef, secured from the flames after the fight, by some who were thoughtful for the future. As we advanced up the cafton, beyond where our detachment in their night-march had left it, it became evident that we were entering a place requiring all our caution against surprise. An advance-guard, therefore, went cautiously forward, followed—at about one hundred yards' distance—by the main body; then came the herd and a rear-guard. The scenery of the cation was remarkably attractive and romantic; and, at some time when we were not

BLACK CANON. 229 tired, hungry, or expecting an attack, would have awakened all our admiration for its beauties. But now, in its cedargarnished, high, almost perpendicular walls, jutting out at intervals to meet corresponding depressions of its opposite sides; and in the gloom of its closely approximating heights, which, often not more than twenty-five yards apart, gave delightful coolness to the clear stream at its base, and fed the sweet grass on its banks, we unappreciating soldiers could only see additional reasons and facility for 4 farewell, hostile attack from our old foe. A heavy storm, too, was threatening us;'clouds, dark almost as midnight, having that yellow glare along their edges which sojourners in Arizona know to mean torrents of rain, with thunder and lightning of the heaviest calibre, were gathering and concentrating on the cool air-current of the cafion; and soon it came—not, however, as violent in our vicinity as we expected —but, treating us to a few large drops, which fell heavy as incipient ice upon the leaves around, telling us what it could do if it would, it passed on swiftly without further parleying. But not soits electrical train: right over our heads flashed the most vivid lightning, and bellowed the most deafening thunder; then came that well-known succeeding pause, or blank, as though the quivering atmosphere hung in doubtful action, and then— presto! —a volley of fire-arms, aimed at our rear-guard by the Indians, who, crowning the cafton's heights, had been, by this most friendly cloud-storm, prevented from noticing that our force had passed, and, not perceiving their error, had fired on our rearguard.

Again came the tug of war; but this time it was we who were surprised, and in a tight place enough, for the Indians were above us, securely posted behind rocks and trees, and could pick us off at leisure. 'Mount the rocks,