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e beyond A

few cool-headed veterans halted at the edge of the bank to defend the

passage; but the etful of all

discipline, raced frantically for the su until shot down; McIntosh, striving vainly to

rally his deson,

his leg broken by a ball, clung to a sergeant's stirrup until a second

shot stretched him dead upon the bank The loss in that wild retreat

(which Reno later called a "charge") was heavy, the effect

de; but those who escaped found a spot well suited for

defence Even as they swung down fro themselves flat upon their faces to sith

hastily levelled carbines the river banks below, Benteen caallantly down the valley to their aid, his troopers fresh and eager to

be thrown forward on the firing-line The worst was over, and like

their

folly, turned to strike and slay