Page 188 (1/2)

The valley was obscured with clouds of dust and s The various troop co

control over their men, were prompt to act A line of skire of the bluff, while volunteers,

urged by the agonized cries of the wounded, endeavored vainly to

procure a supply of water froain they made

the effort, only to be driven back by the deadly Indian rifle fire

This came mostly from braves concealed behind rocks or protected by the

tie numbers of hostiles were plainly

visible, not only in the valley, but also upon the ridges The firing

upon their position continued incessantly, the warriors continually

changing their point of attack By three o'clock, although the

h re fire, and hold Reno strictly on the defensive These

reds skulked in ravines, or lined the banks of the river, their

long-range rifles rendering the lighter carbines of the cavalryher e the unprotected troops

As thefire, above the

surrounding din were borne to their ears the reports of distant guns

It ca heavier andCuster was

already engaged in hot action at the right of the Indian village Why

were they kept lying there in idleness? Why were they not pushed

forward to do their part? They looked into each other's faces God!

They were three hundred now; they could sweep aside like chaff that

fringe of red skir, every nerve tense, they waited, each trooper crouched for

the spring Officer after officer, unable to restrain his impatience,