Looking for an expression

[Onlooker]

What is the expression along the lines of the posse surrounding the carriages, meaning that some people are surrounding some other people in order to protect them? Thanks.

[Orsino]

1. Circling the wagons?

That seems less specific than your imagery.

[malta blue]

2. circling the wagons? nt

[RebelOne]

3. That wouldn't be to protect them.

It's Indians circling the wagons to attack.

[MrCoffee]

4. No it's not...it's the settlers' response to an Indian attack

You circle the wagons to protect yourself.

[Zuiderelle]

5. Definitely "circling the wagons" has to be what you're going for.

[Onlooker]

6. Yes, circling the wagons

Thank you. I just could not think of it.

[hippywife]

7. I can't think of it, either

and now it's gonna bug me. But I do know it's not circling the wagons. That was a defensive move on a wagon train once an attack was imminent. And it's not vanguard because those are the ones at the head or lead of an army.

[hippywife]

8. Is it this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalanx_formation