Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-11-28
1879 bY reCLURo & co.

Hamlln and a dozen other men were
still in saddle. Without orders they
dashed forward, squirting maddened
horses into the ranks Of the indians,
hurting them left and right, firing INTO
Infatuated red faces, and slashing
about with dripping sabres. Into the
Ian thus formed sprang the tOrtured
mules, sweeping on with their precious
load Of ammunition. Behind closed In
the squad Of ~rescuers, struggling for
their lives amid a horde Of savages
Then, with one wild shout, the dis
mounted troopers lcnped to the res
cue hurting back the d~isorganiZed In
l mass. and dragging their com
rades from the rout. 1t was hand to
hand, dubbed carbine against knife
and spear, a fierce, GREATNESS strug-
gle. Behind eager hands ripped open
the ammunition cases; cartridges
were TANNED into empty guns. and a
second line of fighting men leaped for
ward, their 'front.' tipped with fire.
Dragged from his horse at the first
fierce shock, his revolver empty, his
broken saber a Jagged piece OF steel,
Hamlin hacked his way through the
first line Of warriors, and found ref
uge behind a dead horse. Here, with
two others, he made a stand, gripping
a carbine. 1t was all the work Of a
moment. About him were skurrying
figures, Infatuated faces, threatening
weapons, yells Of agony, cries Of rage.
The three fought like fends, standing
back to back, and striking blindly at
leaping bodies and clutching hands
out or the mist, the mad confusion
OF breathless combat, one face alone
to confront the Sergeant. At
first 1t was a delirium; then 1t be-
came a reality. He saw the shaggi-
white face. All else vanished in a
fierce desire to kill. He leaped for
ward. crazed with sudden hate, hurled
aside the naked bodies in the path,
and sent his whirling carbine stock
crashing at Dupont. Even3as it struck
he fell. clutched by gripping hands,
and over all rang out the cheer of
the charging troopers. Hamlin stag
gered to his knees, spent and breath
less. and smiled grimly down at the
white man in hat ring Of red.
1t was over, yet that little body OF
troopers dared not remain. About
them still, although demoralized and
defeated. circled an overwhelming
mass Of savages capable Of crushing
to death, when they again raj
lied and consolidated. Custer did the
only thing possible. Turning loose the
pony herd. gathering his captives
into marching column. Before the
scattered tribes could rally for a sec
ond attack, with flankers out. and Skin
mishers in advance, the cavalrymen
rode straight down the valley toward
the %retreating hostiles. 1t was a bold
and desperate move, the commanders
object being to Impress pon the In
dian chiefs the thought of his utter
fearlessness, and to Great the impress
sion that the Seventh would never
dare such a thing II they did not have
a larger force behind. With flags I'M
furled, and the band playing, the
troopers swept on. The very mad au-
dacity Of the movement struck terror
into the hearts Of the warriors, and
they broke and fed. AS darkness fell
the survivors of the Seventh rode
alone, amid the silent ~desolation Of
the plains.
Hating a moment for rest under
shelter OF the river bank. Custer
hastily wrote his report and sent for
Hamlin. The latter approached and
stood motionless in the red glare OF
the single campfire. The impetuous
commander glanced up inquiringly.
Sergeant. I must send a messenger
to Camp Supply. Are you fit to go?"
CAS- much as anyone, General Gus
ter" was the quiet response. Il have
no Wounds Of consequence"
Very we'll. Take the fastest horse
in the command, and an Usage guide.
You know the country, but he will be
OF assistance. I have written a very
brief report; you are to tell Sheridan
personally the entire story. We shall
rest here two hours, and then pro-
coed slowly along the trail. I antici-
pate no further serious fighting. You
will depart at once."
Very well. sir" the Sergeant sa-
luted. and turned away, hating an in
slant to ask: you have reported the
losses, / presumed"
Yes, the dead and wounded. There
are some missing. who may yet come