the foothills, and find
water. They went slipping and sliding down the slope, carpeted with
the dried pine needles, and treacherous with loose gravel, and drank in
haste. But Frank was still suspicious. His senses were keen. He
instantly led them back into the first belt of timber, above; and on a
sudden, with a hiss of warning, he flung himself flat. Down they all
sprawled.

Just below, wellnigh at the very spot they had left, there were more
Indians: Sioux!

The Sioux were riding, arrayed for war, in open order, like scouts for
a larger party behind. If they struck the trail to the water and back,
that would mean another fight. It seemed horrible to be cut off,
again, when so near help; the location of the General Crook camp was
plain in view, off there twenty miles to the east.

But the brave soldiers had grown too desperate to care. They were
tired out, and determined to sell their lives dearly. Lieutenant
Sibley motioned.

He and the two scouts crawled to position on a little knoll; the others
followed, and took their posts. Reporter Finerty crept to his
commander's side.

"We're in hard luck again," young Lieutenant Sibley whispered. "But
we'll show those red scoundrels how white men can fight and die, if
necessary. Men," he said, "we have a good place; let every shot count
on an Indian."

Yes, the spot was a strong one, for defense. On one side there was a
stream, bounded by a lofty cliff, over-hanging. On the other side
there was an open slope, with no cover for the attackers. On the rear
there were a mass of boulders, handy in case of retreat. In front the
timber was very thin. And where the party lay, there were plenty of
rocks and trees, and considerable down timber, but not enough to be
dangerous from a fire.

The Sioux warriors kept on, riding slowly; on, and on, their eyes
searching the country. Hurrah! They did not stop; they had passed
outside the trail; they were on the flank of the main body; no warriors
followed; the scouts and soldiers and Civilian Finerty let down their
rifle hammers to half cock. There would be no fight.

It had been such a strain that now everybody except the two scouts went
to sleep, while Frank and Big Bat stayed on watch. At dusk Lieutenant
Sibley spoke with fresh energy:

"We'll strike out of the mountains and make a night march to the camp.
Might as well do it first as last. We've got to have something to eat;
but we can't hunt here, or we'