At the head, the two wagons containing the children and wounded had now fallen out of sight over a gentle rise to the north.

The women also were well ahead, passing at that moment through a lane of low cedars that grew close to the road on either side.

The men were now stepping briskly, sure at last of the honesty of their rescuers.
Then, while all promised fair, a call came from the head of the line of men,--a clear, high call of command that rang to the very rear of the column: _"Israel, do your duty!"_ Before the faces of the marching men had even shown surprise or questioning, each Mormon had turned and shot the man who walked beside him.

The same instant brought piercing screams from the column of women ahead; for the signal had been given while they were in the lane of cedars where the Indian allies of the Saints had been ambushed.

Shots and screams echoed and reechoed across the narrow valley, and clouds of smoke, pearl gray in the morning sun, floated near the ground.
The plan of attack had been well laid for quick success.