Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-04-11
CHAPTER xxxIv.
The Last Stand.

the afternoon when that compact col
umn of cava1rymen moved silently
forward down the concealing coulee
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.
1t was the old way of the Seventh,
and they knew it we'll.
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 five depleted
troops filed resolutely forward, dream
ing not of possible defeat Suddenly
distant shots were heard far off 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 to man
along the closed files.
Reno is going in, boys; it will be
our turn next
Close up. Quiet there, lads,
quiet officer after officer passed the
word of command.
Yet there we're those among them
who felt strange dread-that firing
sounded so far up the stream from
where Reno should have been by that
time. Still it might be that those
overhanging bluffs would muffie 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 at them from concealed ra-
vines; none marked the rapidly mass
ing hordes, hideous in war-paint,
crowded into nearby coulees and be-
hind protecting hills.
1t 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
hill and coulee, gulch and rock shad-
ow. Horses fell, or ran about neigh
ing; men flung up their hands and
died in that first awful minute of con-
sternation, and the little column
seemed to shrivel away as if consum-
ed by the fame which struck it, front
men had ridden into the mouth of
hell.
Yet it was scarcely for more than
minute Men trained, strong, clear of
brain, were in those stricken lines
men who had seen Indian battle be-
fore. The recoil came, swift as had
been the surprise. Voice after voice
rang out old familiar orders, steady
ing instantly the startled nerves; dis
cipline conquered disorder, and the
shattered column rolled out, as if by
magic, into the semblance of a battle
line.
1t was magnificently done Custer
and his troop commanders brought
their sorely smitten men into posi-
ton OF defense, even hurled them
cheering forward in short, swift
charges, so as to clear the front and
gain room in which to deploy- Out. of
confusion emerged discipline, conf
dence, esprit de corps.
Safe beyond the range of the troop
ers' light carbines, the Indians, with
their heavier rifles, kept hurting
constant storm of lead. hugging the
gullies, and spreading out until there
was no rear toward which the harass-
ed cavalrymen could turn for safety
One by one, continually under heavy
fire, the scattered troops were form
ed into something more nearly re-
sembling a battle line-Calhoun on
the left, then Keogh, Smith and
Yates, with Tom Custer holding the
extreme. right Thus they waited grim
ly for the next assault.
CTO BE CONTINUED-)