re was still three of the troop to follow him, and
the captain ordered "come ahead," until all of a sudden, as they filed
round a little knoll, the three Indians they'd been chasin' turned about
and let 'em have it, and down went another horse, and Corporal Feeney
was killed sure, and he, the poor young rookie, saw Indians in every
direction, "comin' straight at 'em," and what else could he do but
gallop for home--and help? All this, told with much gasping on his part,
and heard with much blasphemy by Kennedy, brought the strangely assorted
pair at swift gallop over the springy turf back along the line of that
panicky, yet most natural retreat. Twice would the big fellow have
broken away and again spurred for home, but the little game cock held
him savagely to his work and so, together, at last they neared the
curtaining ridge. "Now, damn you!" howled Kennedy, "whip out your
carbine and play you're a man till we see what's in front! an' if ye
play false, the first shot from this barker," with a slap at the butt of
his Springfield, "goes through your heart."

And this was what they saw as, together, they rounded the hillock and
came in view of the low ground beyond.

Half way down the long, gradual slope, in a shallow little dip, possibly
an old buffalo wallow, two or three horses were sprawled, and a tiny
tongue of flame and blue smoke spitting from over the broad, brown backs
told that someone, at least, was on the alert and defensive. Out on the
prairie, three hundred yards beyond, a spotted Indian pony, heels up,
was rolling on the turf, evidently sorely wounded. Behind this rolling
parapet crouched a feathered warrior, and farther still away, sweeping
and circling on their mettlesome steeds, three more savage braves were
darting at speed. Already they had sighted the coming reinforcements,
and while two seemed frantically signalling toward the northwest, the
third whirled his horse and sped madly away in that direction.

"Millions, be damned!" yelled Kennedy. "There's only three. Come on, ye
scut!" And down they went, full tilt at the Sioux, yet heading to cover
and reach the beleaguered party in the hollow. Someone of the besieged
waved a hat on high. Two more carbines barked their defiance at the
feathered foe, and then came a pretty exhibit of savage daring and
devotion. Disdainful of the coming troopers and of the swift fire now
blazing at them from the pit, the two mounted warriors lashed their
ponies to mad