The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-12-09

as the captain foresaw, a rally in
force began far out over the south
ward slopes, the Indians gathering in
great numbers about some chieftain
midway between the coming force
and the still beleagured defenders of
the grove. Then, brandishing lance
and shield and rifle, as before, they
began spreading out across the prai-
RE, heading now for the cottonwoods,
while others still faced and fired on
the far blue skirmish line. The fierce
wind, sweeping across the direction
of the attack, deadened all sound Of
hoof or war chant, but there was no
installing the signs, no doubt of the
intent, when, in a little moment more,
the earth began to .tremble beneath
the dancing pony feet, telling, almost
with the swiftness of sight, that the
grand advance had begun. But other
eyes were watching, too. Other sol
diers, keen campaigners as these at
the Elk, were there afield, and almost
at the moment the wild barbaric
hoard burst yelling into their eager
gallop, and before the dust cloud hid
the distant slopes beyond, the exult-
ant shout went up from the captains
lips, as he threw down his glass and
grabbed his carbine, Its all right,
men! The majors at their heels.
New let 'em have it!"
Now, with heavier losses than had
befallen Wayne in '76, Rays command
beheld with almost tranquil hearts
the coming of the fierce array in final
charge. Behind them, not two miles,
to be sure, rode in swift, well-ordered
pursuit, the long line of comrade
troopers. But there had been inter
vening years of campaign experiences
that dulled to degree the earlier
enthusiasts of the soldier, and
taught at least the assumption of pro-
fessional composure that was the Sc
cret wonder of the sucking trooper,
and that became his chief ambition
to acquire. 1t is one thing to charge
home at hard-tighting command when
friends and comrades back the effort
and cheer the charging line. 1t is an
other to charge home conscious that
other chargers are coming at ones
heels. Magnificent as spectacle,
therefore, this closing dash of Lame
VOLTS warriors was but meek re-
hinder of their earlier attack. Long
before they came within 400 yards of
the leafy stronghold-the moment, in
deed, the brown Springfelds began
their spiteful bark-to right and left
the warriors veered, far out on either
flank. Screening and yelling as was
their savage way, they tore madly by,
flattened out against their ponies
necks, and, those who could use their
arms at all, pumping wild shots that
whistled harmless over the heads of
the defenders and bit the blackened
prairie many rod beyond. Only jeers
rewarded the stirring speetacle-jeers
and a few low-aimed, suffering vol
leys that brought other luckless
ponies to their knees and sprawled a
few red riders. But in less than five
minutes from the warning cry that
hailed their coming, Lame Wolf and
his hosts were lining Elk Tooth ridge
and watching with burning hate and
yengeful eyes the ft,steady advance
of Webb's long blue fighting line, and
the utter unconcern of the defense.
Even before the relieving squadron
was within carbine range certain of
Rays men had scrambled out upon
the northward bank and, pushing for
ward upon the prairie, were possess
ing themselves of the arms and orna-
ments of the two dead warriors whom
the Sioux had striven in vain to reach
and bear within their lines. Raw and
Clayton at the moment were strolling
placidly forth upon the southwark
''fench'' to receive and welcome the
little knot of comrades sent galloping
in advance to greet them. There was
perhaps just suspicion of exaggerat-
ed nonchalance about their gait and
bearing-a regimental weakness, pos
sibly-and no other officer save Lieut..
Field happened to be within earshot
when Winsor's voice on the other
front was heard in hoarse command:
Come back there, you fellows!
Back, or you're goners!"
The sight had proved too much for
some of the Sioux. Down again at
iNAAoao SlSSo StiIAS ~ oSCUuCICu ClOuG
of young braves, following the lead
of the tall, magnificent chief who had
been the hero of the earlier attack
down into the low ground, never
swerving or checking pace. straight
for the grove, the three or four in
quisitive bluecoats in the meantime
scurrying for shelter; and the yell
that went up at the sight of the In
dian dash and the quick reopening
of the sputtering fire brought Ray,
running once again to the northward
edge of the timber, wondering what
could be amiss. Field was lying on
his blanket, just under the bank, as
the captain darted by, uEd grinned
his qualification as he heard the brief,
assuring words: 'Webb's here-all
hands with him." An instant later a
bullet whizzed through the roots of
the old cottonwood above his head,
and from far out afield, deadened by
the rush of the wind, dull crackle
of shots told that something had re-
called the Sioux to the attack, and
F., ~