Cavalier County farmers press. (Langdon, N.D.) 1920-1921, 1921-03-10
CHAPTER XVI.
The Rock Platform.

oieiDy idu uo Llme TO CIlnk, or TO
even comprehend clearly what con-
fronted him. There was a second in
which he rammed a handful of cart
ridges into his empty gun and then
they were on him. a dozen Indians
sWarming up the face of the rock, and
clutching for a hold on the parapet.
He fired blindly straight into their
races, aware that another revolver
cracked close beside his ear. vet with
no opportunity to glance about. He
saw assailants topple backward,
clutching fingers release their hold.
rifles flung high in air. and roll down
the slope. Savage Wells blended into
cries of death agony. He felt the clip
of a ball in his shoulder and staggered
back from the blow; a tomahawk
grazed his wrist. and the quick slash
of q knife ripped open a leg Of his
trousers. a red stain discoloring the
opening. He had glimpse of fierce, in
furiated faces. of waving scalplocks.
of naked chests and arms. Fingers
clutched at him. and he kicked him
self e Both guns empty, he bat
tered away with the butts, smashing
at every face he saw, no desire left
but to kill. before he also was dragged
down. He knew nothing Of Olga.
where she was, what she was doing
he only realized that he must stand
there. and fight until they got him
she would keep one shot: she had
pledged that.
And the devils made it. creeping far
out over the gulf. and drawing them
selves up beyond reach of his arm.
One fell. going down with II howl of
terror: a second was struck by a
speeding bullet. dead Gee he went
whir'ing back in,o the nir-hut rhe
third made il, creepin" mp onto the
narrow platform with others s,lrging
behind. knives griphed in their teeth.
Shelby hurled his empty pistol into
the face of the nearest before the fell
low could attain his knees. and grasped
Il discarded rifle which dAngled over
the stone coping. With one bound he
was at the edge swinging this weapon
as a wOOdSman might an AK. driving
the iron stock against every head that
appeared. He staggered back. breath
less, half blinded by q wound over his
eye, aware only that the front of the
rock was swept clear, that not a saw
age was left for him to strike at. She
touched him. and he whirled. thinking
1t another enemy.
Don't, Tom. don't!" she begged.
"Merciful heaven. you are all blood.
Look out there! are those soldiers?"
He held up the flap of skin. and
stared where she pointed. Across the
white snow covering the valley below,
riding st;rrup to stirrup in a wild
charge. two lines of cavalry were
sweeping straight toward the foot of
the bluff. He knew what they were
at a glance; their lines steady even at
a gallop, the squirting officer in front,
the glitter of carbines. the silence, left
no doubt. No Indians rode like that.
He watched them. grasping her tightly
to him now. scarcely able to speak.
Once only. he gave utterance.
MY God! See those fellows ride!"
They are soldiers?"
Yes. yes! Good Lord. lassie, but
that looks like old Hays leading 'em.
Its the Sixth. the Sixth-a squadron
of the Sixth"
He staggered to his knees. but still
held himself up. peering over the op-
ing. She knelt beside him, half sup
porting him against her shoulder. The
charging horsemen swept in out Of
below, but l;sry could hear them
crash through the underbrush, and
their way across the stream.
Then there echoed up to them the
ringing cheer of white voices. and the
dull bang OF the carbines,
How they made that ascent it is
doubtful II q trooper knows; but they
did. creeping from rock to rock. drag
ging themselves along gullles. hauling
their bodies up by sheer strength OF
springlng from. potni 10 point
tnei' by Inch, fooi b. foot, ilglling MS
ii,e, advanced firing nj evers slalik
ns figure IN their froni. skirlipg praci
pieces tempting Mers,ss e%iasnl~ tlnnging |
~ tsAer& tsuh ~ Al,flil,,
sarhinss splitting sicluDsiy. eager !