heir coffee and
doze, and believe that they had outwitted the Sioux. In about an hour
and a half they saddled up and rode on, still heading from the Sioux
and into the mountains.

Where they were going, nobody knew save Scouts Gruard and Big Bat.
Frank led, with Big Bat close behind him. Then came the lieutenant,
and Reporter Finerty, and in long single file the troopers, with Packer
John Becker closing the rear.

It was a splendid country, of clustered pines, scattered rocks and huge
ledges, sunny, flowery parks, cold streams in the valleys, and
tremendous, long slopes rising, before, to the white crest of the snowy
main range of the Big Horn Mountains.

In mid-afternoon they were leisurely winding through a park lying
between the front range and the main range. There was timber on the
left, or south-west; rocks and timber on the right; and timber before,
with the snow caps towering above.

Not a sound had been heard, to signal danger--when suddenly John Becker
spurred up along the file, from the rear.

"The Indians, lieutenant! Here they are!"

What! Yes! War bonnets were moving rapidly through the trees and high
rocks, quartering behind on the right. The troopers quickened, to
close their intervals--for the column had strung out. Every hand
dropped to its carbine butt.

"Keep well to the left, against that timber," shouted Scout Gruard.

"Bang-g-g!" He had been answered by a volley. There were Indians
among the rocks and trees, on the right, within two hundred yards. The
bullets whined and stung; wounded horses reared and plunged--Reporter
Finerty's mount stumbled to its knees.

"To the left, men! Quick!"

Half wheeling, they dashed for the edge of the timber, there; gained it
safely; under cover of the branches sprang to earth and faced about,
guns ready. Lieutenant Sibley took command.

"Give them a few shots, sergeant, till we can tie our horses."

At the carbine reports the Indians in sight, out in the park, dived for
shelter.

"Now tie your horses short, to the trees, men."

That was done.

"As skirmishers. Take intervals right and left. Keep under cover.
Fire carefully, only when you see a mark. Don't waste ammunition."

The skirmish line ran in a semi-circle, from south-east to northwest,
through the edge of the timber. There were many fallen trees, as if a
storm or a forest fire had swept through; that closed the way to the
horses, but furnished good breastworks.

The b