The Indian camp was pitched on an open plain of several miles in extent, which took a sudden bend half-a-mile distant, where a spur of the mountains shut out the farther end of the valley from view.

From beyond this point the dull rumbling sound proceeded.

Suddenly there was a roar as if a mighty cataract had been let loose upon the scene.

At the same moment a countless herd of wild horses came thundering round the base of the mountain and swept over the plain straight towards the Indian camp.
"A stampede!" cried Joe, springing to the assistance of Pee-eye-em, whose favourite horses were picketed near the tent.
On they came like a living torrent, and the thunder of a thousand hoofs was soon mingled with the howling of hundreds of dogs in the camp, and the yelling of Indians, as they vainly endeavoured to restrain the rising excitement of their steeds.

Henri and Dick stood rooted to the ground, gazing in silent wonder at the fierce and uncontrollable gallop of the thousands of panic-stricken horses that bore down upon the camp with the tumultuous violence of a mighty cataract.
As the maddened troop drew nigh, the camp horses began to snort and tremble violently, and when the rush of the wild steeds was almost upon them, they became ungovernable with terror, broke their halters and hobbles, and dashed wildly about.