The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1908-04-02
CHAPTER xxxlV.

- 49,
The last Stand.
II was shortly after two O'Clock IN
the afternoon when that compact col.
umn OF cavalrymen moved silently
forward down the c~oncealing couiee
toward the more open ground beyond
Clusters plan was surprise. the sudden
shifting OF that village in the valley
from the rear by the quick charge Of
his horsemen. From man to man the
whispered purpose travelled down the
ranks, the eager troopers greeting the
welcome message with kindling eyes.
II vas the old way OF the Seventh.
and they knew i well.
With Custer riding at the head Of
the column. and only a little to the
rear Of the advance scouts. his adult.
ant Cook. together with a volunteer
aide, beside him. the 1--WE depleted
troops filed resolutely forward. dream
Ing not Of possible defeat. Suddenly
distant shots were heard far OF to
their left and rear. and deepening into
a rumble, %evidencing a warm engage
ment The interested troopers lifted
their heads. listening intently, while
eager whispers ran from man 10 man
along the closed files.
Reno Is going In. boys; Il will be
our turn next
Close up! Quiet there, lads.
quiet" officer after officer passed the
word Of command.
Yet there were those among them
who felt a strange dread-that firing
sounded so far up the stream from
where Reno should have been hy that
time. sin it might be- that those
o~yerhanging BLUFFS would mudle and
defect the reports All about them
lowered death IN dreadful guise. None
among them saw those cruel. spying
eyes watching from distant ridges.
peering II them from concealed ra-
vines; none marked the rapidly mass
ing hordes. hideous In wsr-palnt.
crowded into nearby coulees and be-
hind protecting hills.
Il burst upon them with wild yells.
The gloomy ridges blazed into their
startled faces. the dark ravines hurled
at them skurrying horsemen. while.
wherever their eyes turned. they be-
held savage forms leaping forth from
hin and coulee. gulch and rock shad-
ow. Horses fell, or gan about neigh
ing; men nung up their hands and
died Ia that FIRST awful minute OF con
sternation. aud the little column
seemed to shrivel away as II oonHum.
cd by the fame which struck IL. front
and flank and rear. II was as n those
men had ridden into the mouth OF
hell.
Yet a was scarcely for more than a
minute. Men trained. strong, clear OF
brain. we're In those stricken lines
men who had seen Indian battle be,
fore. The rccoil came. swift aa had
been the surprise. Voice after voice
rang out old familiar orders. steady
ing instantly the startled nerves: dis.
ciplino conquered disorder. aud the
shattered column rolled out. as n by
magic. into the semblanee OF a battle
line.
Il wal magnihcently done. Custer
and his troop commanders brought
their sOrely smitten men into a posi-
ton OF defense. even hurled them
cheering forward In short swift
charges. 90 as 60 clear the ffont and.
gain room IN which 90 deploy. Out Of
confusion emerged discipline. conf.
dence. esprit de corps.
Safe beyond the range Of the troop.
ers' light caThlnes. the Indians. with
their heavier rifles, kept hurting y
constant storm Of lead. hugging the
gullies. and spreading out until there
was no e a toward which the harass-
ed cavalrymen could turn for safety.
One By one, continually under q heavy
ere. the scattered troops were form
ed into something more nearly re-
sembiing a battle iinR7-CaihOun on
the left, then Keogh, Saith and
Yates. with Tom Custer holding the
extreme right Thus they waited grim
y for the next assault.
ITO BE gDNTfNTFFnl