There was no road,
but the grass was still long, and forage for the cattle was necessary.
We had accomplished about half our journey with no sign of hostile
Indians. Then one day, as Simpson, George Woods and I were riding ahead
to overtake the lead train, a party of Sioux bore down on us, plainly
intent on mischief. There was little time to act. No cover of any kind
was to be had. For us three, even with our rifles, to have stood up
against the Sioux in the open would have been suicide. Simpson had been
trained to think quickly. Swinging the three mules so that they formed
a triangle, he drew his six-shooter and dropped them where they stood.
"Now there's a little cover, boys," he said, and we all made ready for
the attack.
Our plan of defense was now made for us. First rifles, then, at closer
quarters, revolvers. If it came to a hand-to-hand conflict we had our
knives as a last resort.
The Sioux drew up when they saw how quickly Simpson's wit had built a
barricade for us. Then the arrows began to fly and among them spattered
a few bullets. We were as sparing as possible with our shots. Most of
them told. I had already learned how to use a rifle, and was glad
indeed that I had. If ever a boy stood in need of that kind of
preparedness I did.
Down came the Indians, with the blood-curdling yell which is always a
feature of their military strategy.
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