A shower of arrows fell upon the traders, another man dropped dead, and an arrow buried its head in the thigh of another.

Several of the Indians also fell.

But the savages manifested a great dread of the rifle; and though they were forty to one against the white men, they retreated to a safe distance.

As they felt sure of their victims, they did not wish to peril their own lives.
The traders hastily took the packs from the mules and piled them around for a barricade.

The Indians were very wary.