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Updated: May 31, 2025
This was my own belief at first; but in a few minutes I had reason to change it. For a short while, Sure-shot was encircled by the dusky forms, and I saw him not or only the crown of his head conspicuous by its yellow hue among the darker chevelures of the Indians. What were they doing to him? I could not guess; but they appeared to be offering him no further violence.
I was in a feverish state of suspense lest he might suspect design; but was relieved on seeing him step aside while the shuffling grating noise from behind admonished me, that he was once more letting himself down over the edge of the platform. The crowd had already closed around Sure-shot, who appeared to be expostulating with the chief as if offering some explanation of his failure.
To have "dressed" the old ranger in line would have been a physical impossibility. In the mounted rifles, personal appearance is of less importance; and considering the little inclination there is to enlist in the American army especially in times of peace the oddest looking article is thankfully accepted. In the dearth of recruits. Sure-shot could have had no difficulty in passing inspection.
I knew my filly could do the whole half-mile in that. Comet's second dam was a bronco, an' that will tell! But I wanted to make your grandfather bet his wad. He never could resist a sure-shot bet, never. That's all." Amanda looked deep into his laughing eyes. "He was willing to sell me, his own flesh and blood," she murmured dreamily.
Twenty miles separated the Mormon camp from the entrance to Robideau's Pass. Nearly the whole of that distance we traversed at a gallop. So far we had experienced no apprehension; but, after entering the pass, our foaming horses began to show signs of fatigue. Those of Sure-shot and Wingrove, that were weaker than the rest, manifested symptoms of giving out.
Not one of the Indians saw what I was about, till after I had undone my fastenings. Their eyes had been turned upon Sure-shot with whom they appeared to be engaged in some angry altercation. It was only after I had sprung to one side, and stood clear of the crucifix, that I heard their ejaculations of astonishment, followed by a wild continuous yelling. I stayed not to note what they were doing.
So eagerly were both engaged in attending to their spits, that they had neither seen nor heard us although they themselves were now silent, and we were within less than twenty feet of them. The intervening bushes, however would have sheltered us from their sight, even if they had been a little more vigilant as I should have expected Sure-shot to have been.
Their guns more especially the rifle of Sure-shot would be a valuable addition to our strength; and, instead of crawling along under the cover of night, we might now advance with more freedom and rapidity. It was determined, therefore, to share our means of transport with our new comrades an offer by them eagerly and readily accepted.
I could believe this the more readily since Sure-shot was not the only marksman I had known possessed of this peculiar power. A something inexplicable, which may be classed with the mysterious phenomena of clairvoyance and "horse-whispering."
Had they advanced but five paces further, at least two of their number would have tumbled out of their saddles. Sure-shot and I had each selected our man, and agreed upon the signal to fire. The others were ready to follow. All four barrels resting over the rampart had caught the eyes of the Indians. A glance at the glistening tubes was sufficient.
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