We'll drench 'em well before we come in. _Now_,
men, come on!"

Out they darted, crouching and bending low, driving a few shots first at
the skulking warriors nearest, then scattering along the ground at the
edge of the low platform crackling fiercely from the flames underneath.
Swiftly the wet blankets were spread and doused anew. Even though they
might check the flames but three minutes, three minutes might mean years
of life. Then back into the choking cloud they dove, and manned the
walls again, ready to shoot down the first who dare rush to undo their
valiant work, and the smoke thus pent beneath the boarding billowed
hotter and thicker into the long, dim, resounding room. "Burst open the
shutters!" was the next order. It was better to die fighting than
choking to death--better to meet one's fate in the open than be roasted
alive. Through the eddying clouds, with seared, smarting eyes, Ray and
his sergeant could see the crest of that prairie wave long half mile
away; and, just as a tongue of flame burst in through the bales at the
southeast window, there came a rush of mounted Indians, leading spare
ponies by the bridle-reins, swiftly picking up their red marksmen from
the sod, and both voices went up in a shout of glorious hope and joy, as
here and there and presently everywhere along that prairie wave campaign
hats and khaki blouses came popping into view, and then long lines of
racing horsemen, carbines advanced, guidons streaming, officers
launching well out in front, and all following the lead and signals of a
tall, spare, sinewy form. "The major! the major himself!" shrieked the
watcher; and then, all peril forgotten, the beleaguered party, men,
women, and children, well-nigh despairing but the moment before, burst
from their stifling refuge and went, gasping, groping, stumbling into
outer air. Last to reach it,--dragging with him from the blazing doorway
the helpless and crippled form of Skelton, his khaki coat ablaze, his
hat, his hair and eyebrows gone,--came their young commander, and
helping hands were drenching him with water as he toppled exhausted on
the sod.

CHAPTER XXVI

TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION

There was wrath mingled with the rejoicing that thrilled all through the
garrison that afternoon. Scattering far and wide, the ring-leaders, the
more prominent braves engaged in the revolt at the agency, were seeking
the refuge of kindred bands, leaving the old men and many Indian
househol