said. "I'll stay. Ride like the devil, Lounsbury,
and soak 'em one for me!"

They helped the storekeeper mount. The command had gone. He and Fraser
followed.

Half the troopers were travelling the farther brink, half the near. The
two caught up with the latter detachment.

Progress was slow. The men were tired from the fire-fighting. The horses
were all but blown.

Nevertheless, not a moment's halt was taken until, after six wearisome
miles, the troopers came opposite the cottonwoods where the Indian dead
were lashed.

By now the darkness had lifted considerably, and a scout, who was riding
the southern side, advised a hunt for tracks.

No tracks were found on the near brink. The horses moved forward again,
Oliver and Fraser waiting behind to hear from the opposite side.

"Anything over there?" called the captain, and they fell silent for the
reply.

All at once, as they waited, Fraser began peering down into the coulee.
"What's that?" he whispered. "What's that? Hark!"

"What?"

Just then came a shout: "No tracks, Captain."

Oliver kicked his boots into his horse's side. "Come on, come on," he
said, and went hurrying after his men.

"But, Captain----" Fraser was holding back. "There was a cry. I
heard----"

"Come on, Fraser." Oliver's horse broke into a trot.

"Captain!"

A third time Oliver called sharply. Behind he heard the cayuse
following.

Farther along, however, he turned to address his lieutenant--and saw
that "Buckskin" carried no rider.

CHAPTER XXXIX

STANDING AT BAY

And now through the dusk of the coulee the Indians advanced toward the
Throat. Single file, they came, their leader a stalwart brave who ran
unsteadily.

But, of a sudden, they brought up and retreated, tripping back upon one
another over rubble and bowlder, and giving out startled oaths. Then
they halted, a score of dim, crowding figures.

Beyond the Throat showed a patch of sky, swiftly brightening with the
dawn. Against that patch, thrust up by a ragged arm, was a twirling gun.

There was a parley, while the oaths became a jumble of protests,
haranguing, and threats.

Presently Standing Buffalo could be heard above the rest. "They are only
women. Let us take them and be on!"

At this, all started forward, but warily. As sudden as before, they
stopped.

Against the light, for a second time, a ragged arm had shot up. Now at
its top was a sinew-backed bow.

The Indians were amazed. One of their kin