retreated earlier, while there was time to escape?

To the Sioux, as well as to Rube Carter, it must have appeared that
Falling Water was owning himself defeated before even a blow had been
struck.

Kiddie, however, was but following out his own plan of campaign. He
was manoeuvring his forces for position. While appearing to be in
retreat, he was keeping his divisions in perfect order, and at the same
time alluring the Sioux towards that part of the plain which he had
chosen for his battle ground. His reserves had already secured
possession of the ford, and they were ready to join in the battle if
their support should be needed.

The crucial moment came when the leading warriors of the Sioux' long
column were level with the rear of Kiddie's division.

Then, as by a pre-arranged plan of action, the Crows wheeled round to a
new position, the three divisions joining and forming an unbroken
semi-circle confronting the Sioux, and completely heading them off from
the ford to which they had been advancing.

So quickly and so accurately was the manoeuvre performed, that the
Sioux might well have been astounded. The result of it was that the
Crows had concentrated the whole of their strength against less than
half the forces of their enemy, whose files from the centre back to the
rear were wholly out of action.

Urging their ponies to the full gallop, the Crows charged down upon the
Sioux like a hurricane, assailing them with bullets and arrows as they
swept into close contact.

The Sioux were not prepared for this sudden change of front, but they
made the best of the situation by a quick turn, which brought them face
to face with the attacking hordes, while the rear of their long column,
issuing from the gap in the hills, broke off from the centre, with the
purpose of surrounding the Crows' third division.

Falling Water's army might thus have been adroitly caught between two
fires, had it not been for Kiddie's forethought in sending his reserves
to the support of his right wing. It accordingly followed that, while
numerically the inferior force, the Crows continued to hold the great
advantage they had gained by concentrating their strength upon a weak
point at the most fitting moment.

Rube Carter saw but little of the battle. He was not called upon to
engage in the actual fighting. Instead, he acted as a messenger, or
dispatch rider.

Just as the turning movement was being made, Kiddie sent him to the
rea