about three to one
Several of the boys with us pretended to understand the sign language , and this resulted in an animosity being engendered between two of the outfit over interpreting a sign made by a chief . After we had given the Indians two strays , quite a band of bucks gathered on foot at the crossing , refusing to let us pass until their demand had been fulfilled . We had a few carbines , every lad had a six-shooter or two , and , summoning every mounted man , we rode up to the ford . The braves outnumbered us about three to one , and it was easy to be seen that they had bows and arrows concealed under their blankets . I was determined to give up no more cattle , and in the powwow that followed the chief of the band became very defiant . I accused him and his band of being armed , and when he denied it one of the boys jumped a horse against the chief , knocking him down . In the mêlée , the leader 's blanket was thrown from him , exposing a strung bow and quiver of arrows , and at the same instant every man brought his carbine or six-shooter to bear on the astonished braves .