They can't be coming for us," said Captain Jack, who had ridden to the front.

"They're coming in our flank." "And night is coming, too," growled California Joe.

"If we can keep on for two hours more, we'll have darkness to shield us, for no red will fight in the dark without he attacks, and has camp-fires to light up with." "We'll keep them, on while an animal will move, and when we must, turn and fight for life or vengeance, if we must go under," said Chichester.
"Forward, men--forward once more!" Again Captain Jack took the post of honor, for such indeed was the rear guard in this case.

Suddenly, on looking back, he saw that the Indians, instead of gaining, had come to a halt.
"They've given it up! they've given it up!" he cried, sending a messenger forward to Captain Chichester to slacken the speed of the column.
It was now almost sundown, and the men in the column, choked and thirsty, weary beyond expression, could hardly believe the news was true.

They were soon satisfied, though, that it was; but it was not for an hour yet, when twilight was beginning to gather, that they learned the real cause of their present safety.
The Indians would have been upon them before night set in, had they not first discovered the nature of the dust cloud to the south-west, or rather who it was raised by.