Then Ray and his men had time to breathe and shout laughing comment and
congratulation. Not one, as yet, was hit or hurt. They were secure for
the time in a strong position, and had signally whipped off the first
assault of the Sioux.
Loudly, excitedly, angrily these latter were now conferring again far
up the slope to the north. At least an hundred in one concourse, they
were having hot discussion over the untoward result of the dash. Others,
obedient to orders from the chief, were circling far out to east and
west and crossing the valley above and below the position of the
defence. Others, still, were galloping back to the ridge, where, against
the sky line, strong bodies of warriors could be plainly seen, moving
excitedly to and fro. Two little groups slowly making their way to the
crest gave no little comfort to the boys in blue. Some, at least, of the
charging force had been made to feel the bite of the cavalry weapon, and
were being borne to the rear.
But no time was to be wasted. Already from far up the stream bed two or
three Indians were hazarding long-range shots at the grove, and Ray
ordered all horses into a bend of the "wash," where the side lines were
whipped from the blanket straps and the excited sorrels securely
hoppled.
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