ors. They have no stomach for that
kind of work," answered the old squaw-man.

The Crow chiefs and braves were seated in a circle, near the cedars,
and listening to the speakers who stood up, one after another.

"Our marrow-bones are broken," some asserted. "The enemy is in a fort;
we are outside. We will lose more men than he. Let us draw off; and
when he is in the open, we can then attack as we please."

"He is few; we are many. Our slain warriors and their women cry for
vengeance," asserted others. "We will be called cowards if we retreat.
If we charge all together we may lose a few braves, but there will be
no Blackfeet left to laugh at us."

These seemed to be the voices that carried. The pipe was passed around
the circle, every man puffed at it, and the council broke up in a
tremendous yelling.

Now the end of the Blackfeet loomed large. Ahorse and afoot the Crows
massed, to charge from below and on either flank. Their chiefs
hastened hither and thither, urging them. The women and children
shrieked encouragement.

In their little fort the Blackfeet also listened to their chiefs. They
showed not the slightest sign of fear. Their fierce faces glared over
the ramparts. Their weapons were held firmly.

The Crows had aroused themselves to such a pitch that they acted half
insane. Forward they charged in howling masses--but the bullets and
arrows pelted them thickly, more warriors fell--they scattered and ran
away. The Blackfeet hooted them.

This made old Cut-nose mad. He hastened out to where the Crows were
collected in doubt what next to do, and climbed upon a rock, that they
all might see him.

"Listen!" he shouted. "You act as if you expected to kill the enemy
with your noise. Your voices are big and your hearts are small. These
white men see that the Crows cannot protect their hunting grounds; they
will not trade with a nation of cowards and women; they will trade with
the Blackfeet, who own the country. The Blackfeet will go home and
tell the people that three thousand Crows could not take ninety
warriors. After this no nation will have anything to do with the
Crows. I am ashamed to be found among the Crows. I told the white men
that you could fight. Now I will show you how black men and white men
can fight."

And he leaped from his rock, and without glancing behind him he ran for
the fort. The Crows did not delay an instant. Pellmell they rushed
after him, caught up with hi