Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-13

rewarded the stirring spectacle jeers
 and a few low-aimed, sputtering vol
 leys that brought other luckless
 ponies to their knees ard sprawled g
 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 swift,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. Ray and Clayton at the moment were strolling
 placidly forth upon the southward 'fench" to receive and welcome the little knot of comrades sent galloping in advance to greet them. There was perhaps just a 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 furious speed came a. scattered cloud 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, and grinned his qualification as he heard the brief, assuring words: "Webb's here-all hands with him." An instant later bullet whizzed through the roots of the old cottonwood above his head and from tar out aiieid, deadened by the rush of the wind, dull crackle of shots told that something had re- called the Sioux to the attack, and for three minutes there was a lively fusillade all along the northward side. Then it slowly died away, and other voices, close at hand-someone speak ing his name-called the lads atten- tion. He was weak from loss of blood, and just little dazed and fiighty. He had meant three hours agone that when he next encountered his post commander his manner should plainly show that senior that even a second lieutenant had rights a major was bound to respect. But, only mistily now he saw bending over him the keen, soldierly features--the kind, winsome gray eyes, filled with such g world of concern and sympathy and heard the deep, earnest tones of the voice he knew so well, calling again his name and mingling cordial praise and anxious inquiry, and all the rancor seemed to float away with the smoke of the last carbine shots. He could only faintly return the pres- sure of that firm, muscular hand, only feebly smile his thanks and re. assurance, and then, he, too, seemed floating away somewhere into space, and he could not manage to connect what Webb had been saying with the next words that fastened on his tru- ant senses. It must have been hours later, too, for darkness had settled cn the valley. A little fire was burn ing under the shelter of the bank, A little group of soldiers were chatting in low tone, close at hand. Among them, his arm in sling, stood a stocky little chap whose face, seen in the fiickering light, was familiar to him. So was the eager brogue in which that little chap was speaking. A steward was demonstrating, and only vaguely at first, Field grasped the meaning of his words:-
 "The captain said you were not to try to. follow, Kennedy, at least not until Dr. Waller saw you. Wait till he gets here. He can't be three miles back now"
 "To hell wid vel" was the vehement Dye think I'd be maund- herin' here wid the whole command gone on afther thim bloody Sioux? I've made my mark on wan O thim, an he's the buck I'm afther."
 He's made a mark on you, Ken nedy." broke in soldier voice. ''You mad fool. trying to tackle . chief like that-even if he was hit,