d and all that, and could be relied on to "do
his share in a shindy," as the sergeant put it, but when it came to
handling the troop to the best advantage, giving them full swing when
they met the foe on even terms and a fair field, but holding them clear
of possible ambuscade, then "Captain Billy is the boss in the business,"
was the estimate of his men, and every heart beat higher at sight of
him. He would know just what to do for them, and knowing, would do it.

Even as he went loping by Ray had half turned, with something like a
smile in his dark eyes and a nod of his curly head to the sergeant
commanding, and a gesture of the gauntleted hand,--a horizontal sweep to
right and left, twice repeated,--had given the veteran his cue, and with
another moment Winsor had the dozen in line at open, yet narrow,
intervals, with carbines advanced and ready for business. They saw their
captain ride swiftly up the gentle slope until close to the crest, then
off he sprang, tossed his reins to the trumpeter and went hurrying
afoot to join the lieutenant. They saw him kneeling as though to level
his glasses and look fixedly forward; saw Field run back to his horse
and mount in a twinkling; saw him whirl about as though coming to place
himself at their head, yet rein in at once--his charger's fore feet
ploughing the turf at some word from their leader. Field was eager to
charge, but Ray had seen for himself and for his men, and Ray said, no.
Another moment and all at the front were again in saddle--Field back
with the advance, Ray coolly seated astride his pet sorrel,--scouting a
second ridge, far to the north, with his glasses, and sending, as
before, Scott and his three troopers straight on to the front, and
signalling to the flankers to continue the move. Ten seconds' study of
the position in the long, wide, shallow depression before him had
fathomed the scheme of the savage. The little knot of Indians,
jabbering, yelping, prodding and circling about some unseen object on
the turf, feigning ignorance of the soldiers' coming, was at the
old-time trick to get the foremost troopers to charge and chase, to draw
them on in all the dash and excitement of the moment, far ahead--three
miles, perhaps--of the main body, and so enable all the lurking band
behind that second curtain, the farther ridge, to come swooping down to
surround, overwhelm and butcher the luckless few, then be off to safe
distance long before the mass of the troop could