The next summer I went with a party to war against the Mexicans.  There were seventeen men, and two of them, Howling Wolf and Red Dog, had taken their wives with them.  We took many horses, and were coming back, when, while we were passing through the mountains, two of the young men who had been sent ahead as scouts came hurrying back and told us that they had been seen by a camp of enemies, and that many of them were coming.  We had a little time, and perhaps if the leaders of the party had been willing to give up the horses we were driving and had told each man to catch his fastest horse, we might have run away, but the leaders did not like to leave the horses and determined to fight those who were coming.  Before long we saw them, Utes and Mountain Apaches, a large party—­too many for us to fight with.  We started to run.

Our horses were tired, and it was not long before our enemies began to overtake us and some of them to strike us with their whips, counting coups.  Howling Wolf, a brave man, rode behind us all, trying to defend us, riding back and forth fighting off the enemy and whipping up the slower horses.  As we ran, partly surrounded by the enemy and all in confusion, the girth on the saddle of Howling Wolf’s wife broke and she fell off her horse with the saddle, and was left behind and taken prisoner.  One of the Utes captured her and took her up behind him on his horse.

After they had taken this prisoner the enemy stopped, and presently one of our men called out to Howling Wolf, saying, “Look, look, there is your wife!  They have taken her prisoner!” Howling Wolf said, “Can that be?” and then as he looked he threw down his empty gun, calling out, “Someone pick up that gun.”  He drew his bow and strung it, and alone charged back on the man who had his wife.  The Utes had gathered in a little group about this woman, and Howling Wolf rode straight for this crowd, shooting right and left with his arrows, when he got close to them.  He ran against one man, and his horse knocked down horse and rider.  He passed through the crowd up to the man who had his wife as prisoner, and shot an arrow through him, and then shot another man who tried to lead off the horse the woman was riding.  A third ran up to take the bridle and he shot an arrow through his head.  Then all the Utes made a rush at Howling Wolf and his wife.  Their horses were separated, and the woman pushed off to one side.  All the Utes were shooting at Howling Wolf, and he fought until all his arrows were gone, and then he was pushed off further, and rode to us.  We never knew how many of the Utes were wounded.  Howling Wolf was not hurt, but his horse was shot through the mane with an arrow.

Long afterwards, we were told that the Utes said to this woman, “Who is that man who is doing all this fighting?” She answered proudly, “That man is my husband.”  When she said that the Utes rushed upon her and shot her with arrows, so that she died.