not attempt to reach them. The dread, wind-driven flame of the prairie

fire, planned by the Sioux to burn out the defence, to serve as their

ally, had been turned to their grave detriment.



Ray and his devoted men had stopped the sweep of so much of the

conflagration as threatened their little stronghold, but, ranging

unhampered elsewhere, the seething wall rolled on toward the east,

spreading gradually toward its flanks, and so, not only consuming vast

acres of bunch grass, but checking the attack that should have been made

from the entire southern half of the Indian circle. Later, leaping the

sandy stream bed a little to the west of the cottonwoods, it spread in

wild career over a huge tract along the left bank, and now, reuniting

with the southern wing some distance down the valley, was roaring away

to the bluffs of the Mini Pusa, leaving death and desolation in its

track. Miles to the east the war parties from the reservation, riding to

join Lame Wolf, sighted the black curtain of smoke, swift sailing over

the prairie, and changed their course accordingly. Not so many miles

away to the south Webb's skirmishers, driving before them three or four

Sioux scouts from the northward slope of the Moccasin Ridge, set spurs

to their horses and took the gallop, the main body following on.



With their eyelids blistered by heat and smoke, Ray's silent, determined

little band could see nothing of the coming force, yet knew relief was

nigh; for, close at hand, both east and west, large bodies of the enemy

could be seen swift riding away to the north.



They had hoped, as "Fox" had planned and promised, to burn out and

overwhelm the little troop at the grove before the column from Frayne

could possibly reach the spot. They had even anticipated the probable

effort of the command to check the flames, and had told off some fifty

braves to open concentric fire on any party that should rush into the

open with that object in view. They had thought to send in such a storm

of lead, even from long range, that it should daunt and drive back those

who had dared the attempt. They had stormed indeed, but could neither

daunt nor drive back. Ray's men had braved death itself in the desperate

essay, and, even in dying, had won the day.



But their losses had been cruel. Three killed outright; three dying and

eight more or less severely wounded had reduced their fighting strength

to nearly thirty. The guards of the sorrels, herded in the stream bed,

had all they could do to control the poor, frightened creatures, many of

them hit, several of them felled, by the plunging fire from the far

hillsides. Even though driven back, the Sioux never meant to give up the

battle. On every side, leaving their ponies at safe distance, by dozens

the warriors crawled forward, snake-like, to the edge of the burned and

blackened surface, and from there poured in a rapid and most harassing

fire, compelling the defence to lie flat or burrow further, and wounding

many horses. The half hour that followed the repulse of their grand

assault had been sorely trying to the troop, for the wounded needed aid,

more men were hit, and there was no chance whatever to hit back. Moving

from point to point, Ray carried cheer and courage on every side, yet

was so constantly exposed as to cause his men fresh anxiety. Even as he

was bending over Field a bullet had nipped the right shoulderstrap, and

later another had torn through the crown of his campaign hat. In all the

years of their frontier fighting they had never known a hotter fire; but

Ray's voice rang out through the drifting vapor with the same old cheer

and confidence. "They can't charge again till the ground cools off," he

cried. "By that time they'll have their hands full. See how they're

scudding away at the southward even now. Just keep covered and you're

all right." And, barring a growl or two from favored old hands who

sought to make the captain take his own medicine and himself keep

covered, the answer was full of cheer.



And so they waited through the hot smoke and sunshine of the autumn

afternoon, and, even while comforting the wounded with assurance of

coming relief, kept vigilant watch on every hostile move, and at last,

toward three o'clock, the sharp fire about them slackened away, the

smouldering roots of the bunch grass had burned themselves out. The

smoke drifted away from the prairie, and, as the landscape cleared to

the south and west, a cheer of delight went up from the cottonwoods, for

the slopes three miles away were dotted here and there and everywhere

with circling, scurrying war ponies--they and their wild riders steadily

falling back before a long rank of disciplined horsemen, the extended

skirmish line of Webb's squadron, backed by supports at regular

intervals, and all heading straight on for the broad lowlands of the

Elk.



"Send six of your men over to the south front, sergeant," were Ray's

orders to Winsor, as he hurried over to join Clayton again. "They may

try one final charge from that side, and give us a chance to empty a few

more saddles." Creeping and crouching through the timber the chosen men



obeyed, and were assigned to stations under Clayton's eye. The

precaution was wise indeed, for, just as the captain foresaw, a rally in

force began far out over the southward slopes, the Indians gathering in

great numbers about some chieftain midway between the coming force and

the still beleaguered defenders of the grove. Then, brandishing lance

and shield and rifle, as before, they began spreading out across the

prairie, heading now for the cottonwoods, while others still faced and

fired on the far blue skirmish line. The fierce wind, sweeping across

the direction of the attack, deadened all sound of hoof or war chant,

but there was no mistaking the signs, no doubt of the intent, when, in a

little moment more, the earth began to tremble beneath the dancing pony

feet, telling, almost with the swiftness of sight, that the grand

advance had again begun. But other eyes were watching too. Other

soldiers, keen campaigners as these at the Elk, were there afield, and

almost at the moment the wild barbaric horde burst yelling into their

eager gallop, and before the dust cloud hid the distant slopes beyond,

the exultant shout went up from the captain's lips, as he threw down his

glass and grabbed his carbine. "It's all right, men! The major's coming

at their heels. Now let 'em have it!"



In former days there had been scenes of wild rejoicing, sometimes of

deep emotion, when relief came to some Indian-besieged detachment of the

old regiment. Once, far to the south in the wild, romantic park country

of Colorado, a strong detachment had been corralled for days by an

overwhelming force of Utes. Their commander,--a dozen of their best

men,--all the horses killed and many troopers sorely wounded. They had

been rescued at last by their skilled and gallant colonel, after a long

and most scientific march by both night and day. Another time, still

farther in their past, and yet within a dozen years, away down the broad

valley of the very stream of which this little Elk was a tributary, the

Cheyennes had hemmed in and sorely hammered two depleted troops that

owed their ultimate rescue to the daring of the very officer who so

coolly, confidently headed the defence this day--to a night ride through

the Indian lines that nearly cost him his brave young life, but that

brought Captain Truscott with a fresh and powerful troop sweeping in to

their succor with the dawn. Then there had been men who strained other

men to their hearts and who shed tears like women, for gallant comrades

had bitten the dust in the desperate fighting of the day before, and

hope itself had almost gone--with the ammunition of the beleaguered

command.



Now, with heavier losses than had befallen Wayne in '76, Ray's command

beheld with almost tranquil hearts the coming of the fierce array in

final charge. Behind them, not two miles, to be sure, rode in swift,

well-ordered pursuit the long line of comrade troopers. But there had

been intervening years of campaign experiences that dulled to a degree

the earlier enthusiasms of the soldier, and taught at least the

assumption of professional composure that was the secret wonder of the

suckling trooper, and that became his chief ambition to acquire. It is

one thing to charge home at a hard-fighting command when friends and

comrades back the effort and cheer the charging line. It is another to

charge home conscious that other chargers are coming at one's heels.

Magnificent as a spectacle, therefore, this closing dash of Lame Wolf's

warriors was but a meek reminder of their earlier attack. Long before

they came within four hundred yards of the leafy stronghold,--the

moment, indeed, the brown Springfields began their spiteful bark,--to

right and left the warriors veered, far out on either flank. Screeching

and yelling as was their savage way, they tore madly by, flattened out

against their ponies' necks and, those who could use their arms at all,

pumping wild shots that whistled harmless over the heads of the

defenders and bit the blackened prairie many a rod beyond. Only jeers

rewarded the stirring spectacle,--jeers and a few low-aimed, sputtering

volleys that brought other luckless ponies to their knees and sprawled a

few red riders. But in less than five minutes from the warning cry that

hailed their coming, Lame Wolf and his hosts were lining Elk Tooth ridge

and watching with burning hate and vengeful eyes the swift, steady

advance of Webb's long blue fighting line, and the utter unconcern of

the defence. Even before the relieving squadron was within carbine range

certain of Ray's men had scrambled out upon the northward bank and,

pushing forward upon the prairie, were possessing themselves of the arms

and ornaments of the two dead warriors whom the Sioux had strived in

vain to reach and bear within their lines. Ray and Clayton at the moment

were strolling placidly forth upon the southward "bench" to receive and

welcome the little knot of comrades sent galloping in advance to greet

them. There was perhaps just a suspicion of exaggerated nonchalance

about their gait and bearing--a regimental weakness, possibly--and no

other officer save Lieutenant Field happened to be within earshot when

Winsor's voice on the other front was heard in hoarse command:



"Come back there, you fellows! Back or you're goners!"



The sight had proved too much for some of the Sioux. Down again at

furious speed came a scattered cloud of young braves, following the lead

of the tall, magnificent chief who had been the hero of the earlier

attack,--down into the low ground, never swerving or checking pace,

straight for the grove, the three or four inquisitive blue-coats in the

meantime scurrying for shelter; and the yell that went up at sight of

the Indian dash and the quick reopening of the sputtering fire brought

Ray, running once again to the northward edge of the timber, wondering

what could be amiss. Field was lying on his blanket, just under the

bank, as the captain darted by, and grinned his gratification as he

heard the brief, assuring words: "Webb's here--all hands with him." An

instant later a bullet whizzed through the roots of the old cottonwood

above his head, and from far out afield, deadened by the rush of the

wind, a dull crackle of shots told that something had recalled the Sioux

to the attack, and for three minutes there was a lively fusillade all

along the northward side. Then it slowly died away, and other voices,

close at hand,--someone speaking his name,--called the lad's attention.

He was weak from loss of blood, and just a little dazed and flighty. He

had meant three hours agone that when next he encountered his post

commander his manner should plainly show that senior that even a second

lieutenant had rights a major was bound to respect. But, only mistily

now, he saw bending over him the keen, soldierly features,--the kind,

winsome gray eyes, filled with such a world of concern and

sympathy,--and heard the deep, earnest tones of the voice he knew so

well, calling again his name and mingling cordial praise and anxious

inquiry, and all the rancor seemed to float away with the smoke of the

last carbine shots. He could only faintly return the pressure of that

firm, muscular hand, only feebly smile his thanks and reassurance, and

then he, too, seemed floating away somewhere into space, and he could

not manage to connect what Webb had been saying with the next words that

fastened on his truant senses. It must have been hours later, too, for

darkness had settled on the valley. A little fire was burning under the

shelter of the bank. A little group of soldiers were chatting in low

tone, close at hand. Among them, his arm in a sling, stood a stocky

little chap whose face, seen in the flickering light, was familiar to

him. So was the eager brogue in which that little chap was speaking. A

steward was remonstrating, and only vaguely at first, Field grasped the

meaning of his words:--



"The captain said you were not to try to follow, Kennedy, at least not

until Dr. Waller saw you. Wait till he gets here. He can't be three

miles back now."



"To hell wid ye!" was the vehement answer. "D'ye think I'd be

maundherin' here wid the whole command gone on afther thim bloody Sioux.

I've made my mark on wan o' thim, an' he's the buck I'm afther."



"He's made his mark on you, Kennedy," broke in a soldier voice. "You

mad fool, trying to tackle a chief like that--even if he was hit, for he

had his whole gang behind him."



"Sure he dared me out, an'--what's this he called me? a d----d whiskey

thafe!--me that niver----"



"Oh, shut up, Kennedy," laughed a brother Irishman. "You were full as a

goat at 'K' Troop's stables--Where'd ye get the whiskey if----"



"I'll lay you, Lanigan, when I get two hands agin, though I misdoubt wan

would do it. It's me horse I want now and lave to go on wid the capt'n.

Ready now, sir," he added, with sudden change of tone and manner, for a

tall, slender form came striding into the fire light, and Field knew

Blake at the instant, and would have called but for the first word from

the captain's lips.



"Your heart's safe, Kennedy. I wish your head was. Your past master in

blasphemy out there won't eat it, at all events."



"Did ye get him, sorr,--afther all?"



"I didn't. His English spoiled my aim. 'Twas Winsor shot him. Now,

you're to stay here, you and Kilmaine. The doctor may bring despatches,

and you follow us with the first to come." An orderly had led forth a

saddled horse, and Blake's foot was already in the stirrup. "They say

it was Red Fox himself, Kennedy," he added. "Where on earth did you meet

him before?"



"Shure, I niver knew him, sorr," was the quick reply, as Blake's long,

lean leg swung over the big charger's back and the rider settled in

saddle.



"But he knew you perfectly well. He dared you by name, when we closed

on them--you and Mr. Field."



And when an hour later the veteran surgeon came and knelt by the side of

the young officer reported seriously wounded, and took his hand and felt

his pulse, there was something in the situation that seemed to call for

immediate action. "We'll get you back to Frayne to-morrow, Field," said

Waller, with kind intent. "Don't--worry now."



"Don't do that, doctor," feebly, surprisingly moaned the fevered lad.

"Don't take me back to Frayne!"