reduced steadily, yet they did not cease to go on, although the
pace became slower. It was like a wounded beast creeping along
and fighting with tooth and claw, while the hunters swarmed
about him in numbers always increasing.

Custer bore diagonally to the left, going, in the main,
downstream, but a fresh force was now thrown against him. The
great body of warriors who had been hidden in the undergrowth on
the other side of the Little Big Horn crossed the stream when he
fell back and flung themselves upon his flank and front. He was
compelled now to stop, although he had not gone more than four
hundred yards, and Dick, from his hill, saw the actions of the
troops.

They stood there for perhaps five minutes firing into the Sioux,
who were now on every side. They formed a kind of hollow square
with some of the men in the center holding the horses, which were
kicking and struggling and adding to the terrible confusion. The
leader with the yellow hair was yet alive. Dick saw him plainly,
and knew by his gestures that he was still cheering on his men.

A movement now took place. Dick saw the white force divided. A
portion of it deployed in a circular manner to the left, and the
remainder turned in a similar fashion to the right, although they
did not lose touch. The square was now turned into a rude circle
with the horses still in the center. They stood on a low hill,
and so far as Dick could see they would not try to go any
farther. The fire of the defenders had sunk somewhat, but he saw
the men rushing to the horses for the extra ammunition--that was
why they hung to the horses--and then the fire rose again in
intensity and volume.

Confident in their numbers and the success that they had already
won, the Sioux pressed forward from every side in overwhelming
masses. All the great chiefs led them--Gall, Crazy Horse,
Young-Man-Afraid-of-His-Horses, Grass, and the others. Bright
Sun continually passed like a flame, inciting the hordes to
renewed attacks, while the redoubtable Sitting Bull never ceased
to make triumphant medicine. But it was Gall, of the magnificent
head and figure, the very model of a great savage warrior, who
led at the battle front. Reckless of death, but always
unwounded, he led the Sioux up to the very muzzles of the white
rifles, and when they were driven back he would lead them up
again. Dick had heard all his life that Indians would not charge
white troops in the open field, but