The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-11-25

SO that the fire of its garrison might
not. be masked" The ten had DART
ed after the scurrying warriors, full
half way to the beginning of the
slope, and then, just as Ray had pre-
dicted, down came a cloud of bril-
liant foemen, seeking to swallow the
little ten alive. Instantly their SER
geant leader whirled them about and,
pointing the way, led them in wide
circle, horses well in hand, back to
the dry wash, then down into it's
sandy depths. Here every trooper
sprang from saddle, and with the
rein Topped on the left arm, and
from the shelter of the straight, stiff
banks, opened sharp fire on their
pursuers, just as Clayton's platoon,
dismounting at the grove, sprang to
the nearest cover and joined in the
fierce clamor of carbines. Racing
down the slope at top speed as were
the Sioux, they could not all at once
check the way of their nimble
mounts, and the ardor of the chase
had carried them far down to the
flats before the fierce crac1le began.
Then it was thrilling to watch them,
veering, circling, sweeping to right
or left, ever at furious gallop, throw
ing their 1.-the, painted bodies behind
their chargers necls, clinging with
one leg and arm, barely showing so
much as an eyelid, yet yelping and
screeching like so many coyotes, not
one of their number coming within
400 yards of the slender fighting line
in the stream bed; some of them, in
deed, disdaining to stoop, riding de-
family along the front, firing wildly
as they rode, yet surely and gradu-
ally guiding their ponies back to the
higher ground, back out of harms
way; and, in five minutes from the
time they had flashed into view, COM
ing charging over the mile away
ridge, not red warrior was left on
the low ground-only three or four
lucllless ponies, kicking in their last
struggles or stiffening on the turf,
while their riders, wounded or un-
hurt, had been picked up and spirited
away with the marvellous skill only
known to these warriors of the
plains.
Then Ray and his men had time to
breathe and shout laughing comment
and congratulation. Not one, as yet,
was hit or hurt. They were secure
for the time in a strong position, and
had signally whipped off the first as
sault of the Sioux.
Loudly, excitedly, angrily these
latter We're now comforting again far
up the slope to the north. At least
100 in one concourse, they were hav-
ing hot discussion over the untoward
result of the dash. Others, obedient
to orders from the chief were circling
far out to east and west and cross
ing the valley above and below the
position of the defense. Others, still,
We're galloping back to the ridge,
where, against the sky line, strong
bodies of warriors could be plainly
seen, moving excitedly to and fro.
Two little groups slowly making
their way to the crest gave no little
comfort to the boys in blue: Some,
at least, of the charging force had
been made to feel the bite of the
cavalry weapon and were being
borne to the rear.
But no time was to be wasted. Al
ready from far up the stream bed
two or three Indians were hazard
ing long-range shots at the grove,
and Ray ordered all horses into
bend of the wash where the side
lines were whipped from the blanket
straps and the excited sorrels Sc
curely hoppled. Then, here, there
and in score of places along the
bank and again at the edge of the
cottonwoods, men had been assigned
their stations and hidden to find
cover for themselves without delay.
Many burrowed in the soft and yield
ing soil, throwing the earth forward
in front of them. Others utilized
fallen trees or branches. Some two
or three piled saddles and blanket
rolls into low barricade, and all,
while crouching about their work,
watched the feathered warriors as
they steadily completed their big cir
Gle far out on the prairie. Bullets
came whstling now fast and fire.
quently nipping off leaves and twigs
and causing many fellow to duck
instinctively and to look about him,
ashamed Of his dodge, yet sure of the
fact that time had been in the days
of the most hardened veteran of the
troop when he, too, knew what 1t
was to shrink from the whistle of
hostile lead. 1t would be but a mo-
ment or two, they all understood,
before the foe would decide on the
next move; then every man would
be needed.
Meantime, having stationed Field
on the north front, with orders to
note every movement of the Sioux,
and having assigned Clayton to the
minor duty of watching the south
front and the TANKS, Ray was moving
cheerily among his men, speeding
from cover to cover, suggesting
here, helping there, alert, even joy
Gus in manner. eve couldn't have
better roost, lads" he said. Eve
can stand off double their number
easy. We can hold out week if