Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-13

smoke, SWlft sailing over the prairie,
 and changed their course accordingly.
 Not so many miles away to the south
 Webb's sEirmishers, driving before
 them three or four Sioux scouts from the northward slope of the
 Moccasin Ridge, set spurs to their
 horses and took the gallop, the main
 body following on.
 With then eyelids' hlistered by
 heat and smoke, Rays silent, deter
 mined little band could see noth- ing of the coming force, yet knew
 relief was nigh; for, close at hand.
 both east and west, large bodies of
 the enemy could be seen swift riding away to the north.
 They had hoped, as Fox had planned and promised, to burn out and over whelm the little troop at the grove before the column from Frayne could possibly reach the spot. They had even anticipated the probable effort of the command to check the flames, and had told off some 50 braves to open concentric fire on any party that should rush into the open with that object in view. They had thought to send in such storm of lead, even from long range, that it should daunt and drive back those who had dared the attempt. They had storlned indeed, but could neither daunt nor drive back. Rays men had braved death itself in the desperate essay, and, even in dying, had won the day.
 But their losses had been cruel. Three killed outright; three dying and eight more or less severely wounded had reduced their fighting strength to nearly 30. The guards of the sorrels, herded in the stream bed, had all they could do to con trol the poor, frightened creatures, many of them hit, several of them felled, by the plunging fire from the far hillsides. Even though driven back, the Sioux never meant to give up the battle. On every side, leav- ing their ponies at safe distance, by dozens the warriors crawled forward, snakelike to the edge of the burned and blackened surface, and from there poured in rapid and most harassing fire, compelling the de- fense to lie flat or burrow further, and wounding many horses. The half hour that followed the repulse of their grand assault had been sorely trying to the troop, for the wounded needed aid, more men were hit, and there was no chance whatever to hit back. Moving from point to point, Ray carried cheer and courage on every side, yet was so constantly cx- posed as to cause his men fresh anx- iety. Even as he was bending over Field bullet had nipped the right shoulderstrap, and later another hao torn through the crown of his cam paign hat. In all the years of their frontier fighting they had never known hotter fire; but Rays voice rang out through the drifting vapor with the same old cheer and confi- dence. "They can't charge again till the ground cools off," he cried. By that time they'll have their hands full. See how they're scudding away at the southward even now. Just keep covered and you're all right" And, barring a growl or two from favored old hands who sought to make the captain take hisTlown medicine and himself keep covered, the answer was full of cheer.
 Send six of your men over to the south front, sergeant" were Rays or ders to Winsor, as he hurried over to join Clayton again. "They may try, one final charge from that side, and give us chance to empty few more saddles" Creeping and crouch ing through the timber, the chosen men obeyed, and were assigned to stations under Clayton's eye. The precaution was wise, indeed, for, just 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 rife, as before, they began spreading out across the prai- rie, 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 mistaking the signs, no doubt of the intent, when, in 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 1 diers. keen campaigners as these at | the Elk, were there afield. and almost 1 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- l ant shout went up from the captains lips. as he threw down his glass and grabbed his carbine, "It's all right. menl The majors at their heels. 1 New let 'em have it!"
 Now, with heavier losses than had | befallen Wayne in '7s. Rays command ] beheld with almost tranquil hearts 1 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