brown-barrelled carbines gleamed at the level in the
sunlight, and then belched forth their message of flame into the very
faces of those reckless horsemen. It was not in flesh and blood to
bear such a blow. With screams of rage, the red braves swerved to left
and right, leaving many a dark, war-bedecked figure lying dead behind
them, and many a riderless pony skurrying over the prairie. Yet their
wild ride had not been altogether in vain; like a whirlwind they had
struck against Calhoun on the flank, forcing his troopers to yield
sullen ground, thus contracting the little semicircle of defenders,
pressing it back against that central hill. It was a step nearer the
end, yet those who fought scarcely realized its significance. Exultant
over their seemingly successful repulse, the men flung themselves again
upon the earth, their cheers ringing out above the thud of retreating
hoofs.

"We can hold them here, boys, until Reno comes," they shouted to each
other.

The skulking red riflemen crept ever closer behind the ridges, driving
their deadly missiles into those ranks exposed in the open. Twice
squads dashed forth to dislodge these bands, but were in turn driven
back, the line of fire continually creeping nearer, clouds of smoke
concealing the cautious marksmen lying prone in the grass. Custer
walked up and down the irregular line, cool, apparently unmoved,
speaking words of approval to officers and men. To the command of the
bugle they discharged two roaring volleys from their carbines, hopeful
that the combined sound might reach the ears of the lagging Reno. They
were hopeful yet, although one troop had only a sergeant left in
command, and the dead bodies of their comrades strewed the plain.

Twice those fierce red horsemen tore down upon them, forcing the thin,
struggling line back by sheer strength of overwhelming numbers, yet no
madly galloping warrior succeeded in bursting through. The hot brown
barrels belched forth their lightnings into those painted faces, and
the swarms of savagery melted away. The living sheltered themselves
behind the bodies of their dead, fighting now in desperation, their
horses stampeded, their ammunition all gone excepting the few
cartridges remaining in the waist-belts. From lip to lip passed the
one vital question: "In God's name, where is Reno? What has become of
the rest of the boys?"

It was four o'clock. For two long hours they had been engaged in
ceaseless strugg