“I’ll tell you, chief; it’s the train being pitched into by some roving band of Injuns. Ef we wants any of the goods, we’d better ride fur it, kase you see thar’s a host of redskins whar all that shootin’ is going on.”
“You are right, Long Dave, and the train is bearing to the southward, contrary to our expectations; so come on, and we’ll drive off the redskins, and then wipe out the settlers.”
A yell of joy answered the words of the chief, for the men were anxious to get a chance to make a capture of the wagon train, which Long Dave had reported to be an exceedingly rich one in supplies of all kinds and money.
Almost with the speed of the wind the cavalcade spurred on, the leader leaving Rose and her father with a guard and the led horses bearing the booty taken in the recent foraging expeditions of the band.
After an hour’s ride, the flashes of distant firing were visible. The rapid discharges proved that the battle was raging most savagely, and that the defenders of the wagon train were holding out bravely against the overwhelming numbers that were attacking them.
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.