As the horsemen approached, three rifles alone opened fire upon them from behind the waggon.  One of their number fell, but several dashed forward; while others, circling round, prepared to attack the devoted emigrants from the opposite side.  The affair, which was a short one, was dreadful to witness.  We should, I saw well enough, lose our lives did we show ourselves.  Indeed, before we could have got up to the waggon, all its defenders were killed by the savages surrounding it; and we knew too well that those inside must, according to their cruel custom, have been put to death, whether women or children.  The Indians of the plains have no compassion either for age or sex.  The dreadful thought occurred to me that those we had seen slaughtered might be our own friends.  It was evident, however, from his calmness, that the idea of such a thing had not crossed old Samson's mind.