Part 22 (1/2)
Frohly piled bowlders in my front I had a fair view up the valley, and was enabled toparty as it advanced cautiously toward our position It was co fellows for savages, naked froht in color, and unpainted as is the usual Indian custo a head ofhim a peculiarly ferocious aspect The entire band nals, which uish not the slightest sound of speech However, it was a relief to note they bore no weapons in their hands excepting the spear and the war-club, clear evidence that they had limited, if any, trade intercourse with Europeans Yet they came on with such steadiness of purpose, amid such impressive silence, I instinctively felt we stood opposed to no tribe of cowards, whatever their name
As they crept, rather than walked, forward into the open space in our front, their restless, searching eyes were not long in perceiving the irregular outlines of our rude barricade, nor were they dilatory in deciding that behind that pile of rock were to be discovered those they sought No attacking party operating upon the eastern continent, guided by all the strategy of civilized war, could have acted more promptly, or to better purpose The old chief ht, and in instant response his clustered bunch of warriors spread out in regulated intervals, assu positions not unlike the sticks of a fan such as the Creoles use, until they forainst the cliff, and their centre well back upon the bank of the stream It was a prettydiscipline, and De Noyan brought his hand down applauding upon his knee
”_Parbleu_!” he exclaimed with enthusiasm ”'Twas as well done as by troops of the line I look for a warm time presently, e cross arms with those fellows”
Even as he spoke, I observed the old chief passing rapidly fro toward us, as though giving special directions for the co assault
”Chevalier,” I whispered, ”would it not be well to try a shot at that tall-haired fellow?”
”It appears too great a distance to h forest limbs fifty feet farther”
”Then try your fortune,” he said eagerly ”It un The sound and sudden death ht terrorize the rifle-barrel in a groove between the stones, and fired Ever since, it has seemed to me that God, for so ball, for never before or since did I miss such aim Yet miss I did, for while the old chief leaped wildly backward, his cheek fanned by the bullet, it was the savage he conversed ho sprang high into air, cole warrior ed, driving the body of their coe drifted uphen, all their for like fiends incarnate, they made an impetuous rush for the hill
”_Francais_! _Francais_!”
I was certain they used the word, fairly hissing it forth as if in bitter hatred, yet I had short enough tie hich to greet them as they came
”It will be best to draw, Messieurs,” spoke De Noyan in a cool, drawling voice ”Ah, that was better, Master Benteen!” as two of the advancingto the bullet ”It leaves but twenty-seven to the three of us; not such bad odds! Now, friends, yield no step backward, and strike as you never struck before”
I enjoyed little space in which to glance behind where I knew Eloise crouched beneath the protecting shadow of the great stone, yet I aic of her eyes upon me As I wheeled, newly armed for strife, my hands clutched hard about the rifle-barrel, our fierce assailants caainst the stone wall It was no time to note what others did; one realizes little at such a supre weapons play across his front; the swift blows continually threatening to crush his guard; the fierce, cruel faces glaring at him eye to eye, and his own desperate efforts to drive and kill It all abides in feveredof a dark night when lightning leaps from the black void I mind the firstspear-point in it tasted blood ere my rifle-stock crushed the side of his head and sent hi corpse into thefigures, frantic shouting, and clanging weapons, and I know not as done, except that I struck out like a crazeddrive at every savage head within range, until, at last, there seemed no others in my front Then, as I paused, breathless and uncertain, passing my hand across my eyes to clear them from the blood and hair which half blindedtone
”Most beautifully done, Master Benteen, and as for our red-headed preacher, by theainst the stones, now the strain of battle had relaxed, feeling strangely weakened by lanced about es had fallen sullenly back to the bank of the streaether as if in council, and I notedthe his long legs, and, back turned contee of his sword
”I was fool enough to atte e who lies yonder, and it was rather a neat stroke, yet has sorely nicked the blade”
”Where is the Puritan?” I asked, not seeing him
”Stretched yonder at rest; he did needlessly exhaust hi how best to wield his weapon _Sacre_! he struck hard blows, and will have two savages for whoment”
”What loss did the fellows sustain?” I questioned, the cut at the edge ofblood
”We dropped seven between us, counting those who fell to your fire, and there are others who hardly appear in condition for further fighting
As to the garrison, you seem to possess a flesh wound or two, the head of the Puritan rings merrily yet from the tap of a war-club, while I boast a boot full of blood; 'tis none of it serious”
”They will attack again?”
”Ay! those lads are not of the breed to let up with one bite; andto be the next turn that will test ourcarelessly across his shoulder
”Do you know aught regarding those devils, Master Benteen?”
”They are strange to reat river”