The marvellous country, or, Three years in Arizona and New Mexico.: Containing an authentic history of this wonderful country and its ancient civilization ... together with a full and complete history of the Apache tribe of Indians .../ By Samuel Woodworth Cozzens. Illustrated by more than one hundred engravings.

PREPARA TIONS FOR A FIGHT.
By this time, twilight had faded into darkness; not a star
was to be seen in the heavens, which seemed to be covered
with a thick veil of murky clouds; so intense was the darkness, that we could scarcely distinguish objects in camp
only a few feet distant. Upon going to the spot where Mr.
Stewart was sitting, I found him in a state of the greatest
excitement, with his head inclined forward as if to catch the
first sound that should indicate the coming of the Indians.
The nature of the man seemed entirely changed by the
prospect of an opportunity to avenge the horrible massacre
of his family. He seemed to have forgotten everything save
a desire for revenge; and the only reply I could obtain to
my questions was, "Let'em come, I'm waitingo for'em."
Every precaution had been taken to give the Indians a
fitting reception: our animals were securely fastened to the
wagon, from which the cover had been removed lest its
white surface should betray our position; our rifles had been
carefully examined, revolvers reloaded, belts filled with cartridges, and there seemed to be nothing now to do but
await their approach.
The deathlike stillness which prevailed was unbroken
save by the murmur of the little stream as it peacefully meandered through its bed of lava, or by the uneasy tramp of
our. animals; when suddenly Mr. Stewart, who had been
peering out into the darkness, raised his rifle to his shoulder
and fired. Before the smoke had cleared away from the
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