Later, leaping the
sandy stream bed a little to the west of the cottonwoods, it spread in
wild career over a huge tract along the left bank, and now, reuniting
with the southern wing some distance down the valley, was roaring away
to the bluffs of the Mini Pusa, leaving death and desolation in its
track. Miles to the east the war parties from the reservation, riding to
join Lame Wolf, sighted the black curtain of smoke, swift sailing over
the prairie, and changed their course accordingly. Not so many miles
away to the south Webb's skirmishers, driving before them three or four
Sioux scouts from the northward slope of the Moccasin Ridge, set spurs
to their horses and took the gallop, the main body following on.
With their eyelids blistered by heat and smoke, Ray's silent, determined
little band could see nothing of the coming force, yet knew relief was
nigh; for, close at hand, both east and west, large bodies of the enemy
could be seen swift riding away to the north.
They had hoped, as "Fox" had planned and promised, to burn out and
overwhelm the little troop at the grove before the column from Frayne
could possibly reach the spot. They had even anticipated the probable
effort of the command to check the flames, and had told off some fifty
braves to open concentric fire on any party that should rush into the
open with that object in view.
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