One of the arrows struck George Wood in the left shoulder, inflicting only a slight wound, however, and several lodged in the bodies of the dead mules; otherwise they did us no harm.
The Indians finally galloped off to a safe distance, where our bullets could not reach them, and seemed to be holding a council.

This was a lucky move for us, for it gave us an opportunity to reload our guns and pistols, and prepare for the next charge of the enemy.

During the brief cessation of hostilities, Simpson extracted the arrow from Wood's shoulder, and put an immense quid of tobacco on the wound.

Wood was then ready for business again.
[Illustration: HOLDING THE FORT.] The Indians did not give us a very long rest, for with, another desperate charge, as if to ride over us, they came dashing towards the mule barricade.

We gave them a hot reception from our yagers and revolvers.
They could not stand, or understand, the rapidly repeating fire of the revolvers, and we again checked them.