In less than sixty seconds nearly a score of savages dropped to the death-dealing bullets, till the plain appeared strewn with dead bodies.
But the crisis had come--the time for a general charge of the whole band; and now the dusky outside ring was seen gradually contracting towards the corral--the savages advancing from all sides, some on foot, others on horseback, all eager to secure the trophy of a scalp.
On they came, violently gesticulating, and uttering wild vengeful shouts.
With the besieged it was a moment for despair.

The waggons were on fire all around them, and in several places flames were beginning to flicker up through the smoke.

They no longer thought of making any attempt to extinguish them.

They knew it would be idle.
Did they think of surrender?
No--not a man of them.

That would have been equally idle.