The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1913-10-24


sun in saddle. Without orders tbev
I r"sheo forward, squirting maddened
Uses ICES INTO the ranks of the Indians.
Huiiils them left and right firing into
-',iuilated red faces, and slashing
aoout with dripping sabres. Into tho
i'ne thus formed sprang the tortured
,liuies sweeping on with their precious
iodu OF ammunition. Behind closed in
oqudu or rescuers, struggling for
.l!elr ives amid a horde OF savages
lheh, with one wild shout tba dis.
mounted troopers leaned 10 tho roc
Cue' hQrling back the disorganized In
Ui"H mass, and dragging their com.
"ueS from the rout 1t was hand to
'idnu' dubbed carbne against knife
ana spear, a fierce. GREATNESS strug.
sie. Behind eager hands ripped omen
lhe ammunition cases; cartridges
we're damned into empty guns. and
second line OF fighting men leaned for.
"ard' their front tipped with fire.
Dragged from his horse at the first
nerce shock, his revolver empty. his
broken saber jagged piece of steel
liamiln hacked his way through the
nrst line of warriors, and found ref
uge behind dead horse. Here with
TWO Others, he made a stand. gripping
carblne. 1t was all the work of a
moment. About him were slurrving
hgures, Infatuated faces. threatening
weapons, yells of agony. cries of rage
ne three fought like ficnds. standing
PACK to back and striking blindly at
leaplng bodies and clutching hands.
Out OF the mist, the mad confusion
OF GREATNESS combat. one face alone
seemed to confront the Sergeant Ar
Iirst it was a delirum; then it be-
came a reality. He saw the shaggi.
ness OF buffalo coat. the CLEAN of a
WHITE face. All else vanished in
nerce desire to kill He leaned for.
ward, craZed with sudden hate. hurled
aside the naked bodies in The path.
and sent his whirling carbine stock
crashing at Dupont. Even as it struck
he fell clutchod by gripping hands,
and over all rang out the cheer Of
the charging troopers Hamlin stag
Sered to his knees, spent and breath
less, and smiled grimly down at the
dead white man in that 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
them to death, when they again raj
lied and consolidated Custer did the
only thing possible. Turning loose the
pony herd, gathering his captives
close. he swung his compact command
into marching column. Before the
scattered tribes could rally for a sec
ond attack, with tiankers out, and Skin.
mishers in advance, the cayalrymen
rode straight down the valley toward
the retreating hostles. 1t was a bold
and desperate move, the commanders .
object being to impress upon the In
dian chiefs the thought of his utter
fearlessness. and to create the impress.
sion that the Seventh would never
dare such a thing if 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, | must send messenger
to Camp Supply. Are you fit to go?'
LAS much as anyone. General Gus
ter" was the quiet response. i 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. | have written a very
brief report: YOU are to tell sheridan
personally the entire story. We sha!i
rest here two hours, and then pro
coed slowly along the trail ] anticl-
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, presume"
Eyes, the dead and wounded. There
are some missing, who may yet come