That was poor shooting, all around. But to shoot from galloping pony or from bouncing wagon is uncertain work.
Back scrambled the captain. He had a great deal to do. He found another warrior--a young fellow--keeping pace with the wagon, in the foot-trail where the wagon teamsters walked when traveling with their freighting outfits.
The pony"s head was actually within arm"s length from the pucker-hole.
The captain struck at it with his revolver; the Indian, hanging low, kept whipping the pony and forcing him in again. The Indian began to notch an arrow upon the bow-string; he was going to shoot. As the captain leaned, to get a shot in first, the arrow point threatened not three feet from his breast!
He could not see the Indian"s body; could see only half his leg, hooked over the pony"s back. All that he might do was to strike at the arrow; then he dodged back. Up rose the Indian; out popped the captain. Down sank the Indian; back dodged the captain. Up rose the Indian; out popped the captain. Down sank the Indian--up he rose and "Bang!!"
spoke the captain"s navy six-shooter. It was a chance shot, but the bullet tore through the Indian"s heart, and dropping the halter, he toppled, dead.
"I"ve killed one of "em, Hallowell!" cheered the captain, excitedly.
"Hurrah! Bully for you! Hi! Yip! Yip!" And--"Whack! Whack!"
He never quit driving, not Lieutenant Hallowell!
The Indians had halted, to examine their dead warrior, and yell over him.
"What they doing now, Cap?"
"Holding a funeral."
"Gwan! Yip! Gwan with you!" urged the lieutenant, trying to squeeze more speed out of the lathered mules.
Captain Booth sat on the cracker-box, watching through the pucker-hole.
Had the Indians given up?
"Cap! Quick! Here! Right off to the left!" That was the lieutenant.
The captain whirled about; he saw a lone Indian racing close to the fore end of the wagon, aiming an arrow at Lieutenant Hallowell. There was no time to change position for a clear shot.
"Hit him with your whip! Hurry up! Hit him!"
The lieutenant flung the lash sideways, instead of over the mules. The knot of the cracker must have caught the Indian in an eye, for he lost his bow, clapped both hands to his face and scurried away, howling.
"Good shot! Hi! Yip! Betty! Joe! Gwan with you!"
The Indians behind were yelling louder.
"What"s the matter, Cap?"
"They"re coming again like Sam Hill!"
"All right. Guess we"ll make it. Hi! Yip!" And--"Whack! Whack!"
Yes, the Indians were coming. In a minute they had overhauled the wagon, bombarding it with arrows as they pa.s.sed on both sides. Captain Booth turned around on his box, to watch them through the front end.
He did not know that his body bulged the wagon-sheet cover.
"Hit again, Cap!" called the lieutenant.
"Where now?"
"In the back."
The captain started to rise; could not get up. He was pinned fast to the canvas, by an arrow. But he wrenched free--never felt his wound and hurried to the lieutenant.
"Right in the back, Cap."
Sure enough. The feathered tip of an arrow was sticking out from under the slat of the seat-back behind the lieutenant. The captain pulled at it, the lieutenant squirmed.
"Hurt you much, Hallowell?"
"Some. No matter. Pull it out. Hi! Gwan! Yip!"
The arrow was red with blood for six inches, but the lieutenant did not even glance at it. He kept driving.
The captain scuttled for the rear. He did not get far. The lieutenant called.
"Off to the left, Cap! Right off to the left! Quick!"
Another Indian was there in the favorite position, scarcely three yards from the driver, and aiming his arrow. The captain sprang for the front, leveled his revolver--it was empty! So:
"Hey! Bang!" he shouted.
Ha, ha! Down lay the Indian, low upon his pony"s neck; he hammered hard with his heels and away he scoured.
The captain sprawled for the rear once more, and tried to load. How those mules ran! How the lieutenant yelled and whipped! How that wagon jolted! And his powder spilled when he poured it into his old-style cap-and-ball pistol.
He had not succeeded in loading a single chamber when the lieutenant again called. He was constantly in trouble, poor Lieutenant Hallowell.
The Indians knew that he couldn"t shoot.
"Off to the left, Cap! Hurry!"
Still another Indian, making ready; occupying the same old spot. The captain hurried; leveled the revolver; shouted "Bang!"
But the trick did not work. This Indian was wiser. He only grinned and notched his arrow, and took his time for a sure shot. Something had to be done to get rid of him. Angry clear through, the captain leaned as far as he dared and hurled the revolver. Good! The heavy barrel landed full upon the Indian"s ribs, cut a long gash--and much astonished the Indian veered off for repairs.
Only one revolver was left, and it had been emptied. But the captain was given no pause, to load.
"I"m hit again, Cap!" the lieutenant called.
"Whereabouts now!"
"In the hand."
An arrow was fastened to the base of the thumb of his whip hand. Its shaft waggled, but its head remained firm.
"Shall I pull it out?"
"No. Can"t stop. Hi! Gwan! Yip! Yip with you!"