They hung low from the saddle, on the side farthest
from the defenders, thus interposing the bodies of their horses as
shields between themselves and the defenders.
In this fashion they galloped and wheeled back and forth in front of the
breastworks, firing over and under their horses, and drawing ever a
little closer, a little closer, until they should close on the devoted
little band of whites and annihilate them.
Bert's unerring rifle never failed of its mark, and whenever an Indian
raised his head ever so little over his horse's back the Winchester spoke
and one more still form was added to the many already strewed over the
ground. The revolvers barked steadily and terrible havoc was wrought
among the ranks of the attacking redmen.
But now their savage blood was up, and death itself had lost its power
to daunt them. Slowly the circle about the besieged constricted, and
suddenly the attackers, at a given signal, abandoned their horses
and, springing to the ground, rushed forward, shooting and emitting
blood-curdling yells as they ran.
"Stand together, boys," yelled Buck, "we'll stand back to back and fight
it out to the bitter end.
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