“I’d like to know who those fellows are, and what they mean,” he denounced, furiously, among his officers. “We’ve done nothing, to make them attack us. Send out an interpreter, Moylan, and ask for a parley3.”
The Indians were still collected, upon their ponies4, about a mile distant. Their figures showed black in the dawn brightening across the vast, boundless5 prairie. Where in the far east prairie met sky was a strip of glowing pink.
The interpreter, a squaw-man from Fort McPherson, with a Sioux wife, rode out and on the river bank made circles with his horse. This signalled: “We want to talk.” One of the Indians answered with the same sign, and a part of them came forward.
[130]
“Tell them that seven of us will meet seven of them, at the river, for a talk,” directed the general to the interpreter.
Riding forward again the interpreter cried across the space to the Indians, and the matter was quickly arranged.
“Captain Hamilton, you will assume command here,” directed the general. “Keep the men under arms, and be ready to move forward to us at the first signal by the trumpeter. Dr. Coates, you’d better come along with the rest of us; you’re anxious to know the Indians. Moylan, Thompson, Tom Custer, Yates, Johnson. Change your revolvers from your holsters to your belts, gentlemen. Then you can get at them, in case of need. Those fellows (and he jerked his head toward the Indians) are not to be trusted, evidently.”
They rode away, Ned of course accompanying. From the opposite direction were approaching to meet them the seven chiefs. The river was the conference point, for it lay about in the middle between the two parties. Just before reaching it the general halted, and dismounted. Dismounted all except Ned.
“Hold these horses, orderly,” instructed the general, to Ned; “and watch sharp. Watch the Indians, especially, and at the least trouble or any sign of treachery you blow the ‘advance.’”
“Yes, sir,” replied Ned.
[131]
Surrounded by the seven horses he sat, their lines in his hands, while the general and the other officers proceeded on, down to the edge of the water.
The banks on this side were smooth and grassy7; on the other they were cut by arroyos8 or ravines and grown with willows9. So the officers waited, for the Indians to cross to the open side. The chiefs also dismounted, and began to take off their leggins, to wade10. Through the shallow current they boldly splashed, holding high their moccasins and guns, out of the wet.
“Huh!” from his horse suddenly ejaculated Ned, scarce believing his eyes. For the leading chief was Pawnee Killer11 himself!
But Pawnee Killer did not appear at all abashed12, nor confused by the fact that after having visited the general in camp at Fort McPherson and having promised to be peaceable, he had tried here to steal the column’s horses and to rush the camp.
They were well armed. Usually in a conference weapons are left behind; but this was a conference with the weapons ready. Ned sat intent, gazing hard, to catch every movement of the seven chiefs and also of the main party, at the distance. He could not hear much of what was being said. He learned afterward15 that the general did not say anything about the attack[132] on the camp, but wanted to know about the village; and that Pawnee Killer did not say anything about the village, but wanted to know where the cavalry16 were going. And neither side found out much about the other!
While Ned was peering, and waiting, alert, he saw another Indian suddenly step forth17 from among the willows, and cross as had the chiefs. This was a younger Indian, fully18 armed. He shook hands all around, saying “How?” Scarcely had he finished, and the talk was continuing, when yet another Indian crossed, in exactly the same manner.
Ned fidgeted. That was a great scheme: for the Sioux warriors19 to steal up, through the ravines and the willows, and one by one cross. Pawnee Killer could not think very highly of General Custer’s smartness, if he supposed that these additions, one at a time, were not noticed. Because the general was young and new to Indian fighting, and had been lied to, and still was being deceived, apparently20, Pawnee Killer must consider that he did not amount to much.
Presently two more Indians had crossed, so that now there were eleven, to the seven whites. Ned’s heart beat rapidly. The situation was getting serious. He shifted the lines of the horses, so as to use his right hand to raise the bugle21 to his lips. The “Advance” repeated itself over and over in his brain. But listen! General Custer’s voice rose emphatic22.
[133]
“Tell this chief that if another man of his crosses the river, my men will all advance ready to fight. Tell him that bugler23 is watching, ready to blow the signal.”
“TELL THIS CHIEF THAT IF ANOTHER MAN OF HIS CROSSES THE RIVER MY MEN WILL ADVANCE”
When this was translated to Pawnee Killer (who had understood by the tone) he made some sort of a reply, but he waved his hand at his party, signing them to stay back. He had found out that the young white chief with the yellow hair was not such a fool, after all.
Then the conference broke up. As the general and the other officers started away, Pawnee Killer stretched out his hand, demanding something. The general spoke24 abruptly25:
“No. I should say not. Not until he moves his village in close to a post, as he promised.” And returned to mount his horse, the general still was grumbling26, half enraged27, half amused. “Sugar, coffee and ammunition28! He’s the most consummate29 rascal30 I ever met. He wants us to feed him so that he can follow us, and equip him so that he can kill us. He ought to have saved some of the ammunition that he used on us so recklessly this morning!”
Pawnee Killer and his chiefs and warriors had gone galloping31 off, and soon the whole party were retreating across the plains. General Custer angrily ordered “Boots and Saddles,” for a pursuit, to see where the village lay. But Pawnee Killer was again too cunning for the yellow haired general. Away went[134] the Sioux, racing32 freely; after them pressed the cavalry, the general in the lead. Had all the cavalry horses been like Phil Sheridan the troops might at least have kept the Indians in sight; as it was, the lightly laden33 ponies and their easy riders dwindled34 and dwindled, and soon disappeared in the horizon. So the cavalry must quit, before getting too far from camp.
Now more Indians were sighted, in another direction.
“My compliments to Captain Hamilton, and tell him to take his troop and see what those other fellows are up to,” ordered the general, promptly35, to Adjutant Moylan.
Away gladly trotted37 the troop of young Captain Hamilton, whose first lieutenant38 was Colonel Tom Custer. With two such officers, this was a crack troop of fighters. Besides, there went the active Doctor Coates, also. The general smiled.
“The doctor’s bound to get as close to the Indians as he can. First thing we know he’ll join a tribe! Now,” he added, gravely, his face showing anxious lines, “I wish we knew that Elliot was all right, and was getting through to Sedgwick. There’s the chance that the Indians don’t know he’s gone. His escort is so small he can travel fast. That’s one comfort. Cook and Robbins can take care of themselves, pretty well, as long as their escort stays together.”
Captain Hamilton’s troop had been swallowed up[135] among the swales to the north; and while the general and his staff discussed ways and means, many eyes were directed northward39, and many ears were strained, to catch any token of a fight or of further pursuit.
Nothing came back, drifting in from the northward. The general and the adjutant and other officers talked, and the men sat more at ease, and the minutes passed. The sun was high in the east; a strong breeze blew across the plains, waving the longer grasses. Then, on a sudden, there was thud of rapid hoofs40, a panting and a snorting, and almost before anybody could turn about, into the camp had rushed, at top speed of his horse, Doctor Coates. Scarcely drawing rein41 he fell off, rather than dismounted, and lay gasping42, trying to speak.
To him rushed officers and men.
“What’s the matter, doctor?”
“Hurt?”
“Speak, man!”
“Can’t you talk?”
“Where’s Hamilton?”
“Attacked?”
The doctor nodded violently.
“Boots and saddles, there!” ordered the general, sharply. “Hurry, men!”
Smartly Ned blew the call. The men ran hither, thither43, tugging44 their horses into line. Now the doctor was able to speak.
[136]
“Indians! Over yonder! Got him—surrounded. Almost got me—too.”
“How far?”
“About five miles.”
Out from camp sallied, at brisk trot, the remnants of the squadrons, to the rescue of Captain Hamilton and Lieutenant Tom Custer and their troop. The doctor, on his blown horse, acted as guide.
There was no sound of firing; but as the column pushed on, trying to make best speed and yet save strength for the fight, the doctor explained.
“Indians tolled46 us on, then separated. Hamilton took after one party, Tom after other. I went with Tom, until I dropped out at one side, somehow, while I was looking about. Next thing I knew I was lost. Pretty soon I heard a lot of firing, and when I reconnoitered I saw Hamilton’s detachment, only half a mile away, with Indians all around them. Thought I’d ride right through and help him; but the Indians saw me first, and away they came, six or eight of ’em, making for me. Almost got me, too, I tell you! Closed up within arrow range, and if my horse hadn’t been as frightened as I was, and if camp hadn’t appeared just when it did, my scalp would have been[137] gone. I’m afraid Hamilton is in a bad box. They out-numbered him, and had plenty of ammunition.”
“Tom may join him.”
“Yes, if Tom isn’t in the same fix. Country is full of Indians, I believe.”
Two of the five miles had been put behind. It was scarce to be expected that carbine shots could yet be heard; but nevertheless the silence seemed ominous47, as if the battle might be over; and with victory to which side?
Trot, trot; jingle48, jingle; across the grassy plain, with every man leaning forward in his saddle, as if to get there sooner. Then Fall Leaf, the Delaware, signaled back, from a little rise: “People in sight.” The general and Adjutant Moylan clapped their glasses to their eyes, and forthwith the general threw up his gauntleted hand in gesture of relief.
“There they come,” he said. “Good! I see the troop guidon.”
Captain Hamilton’s troop it was, with all the men uninjured, and with only one horse wounded. Captain Hamilton reported that he had killed two warriors and had driven the other Indians away, without any assistance from Lieutenant Tom Custer. Lieutenant Tom had pursued the second knot of Indians, until after they had drawn49 him far enough they had given him the slip. These Sioux were clever.
Blood had been shed. This was war. The Indians now would be hot for revenge. And Major Elliot[138] was still out, and so was the wagon50 train for Fort Wallace. Returning with the wagon-train would come Mrs. Custer. That was now the main thought in the camp. The Indians surely would not miss a chance at such a prize as wagons51 of supplies. Why had the general been so foolish as to send for Mrs. Custer, when it was well known that Indians were abroad?
The general grew haggard all in an hour. Before night he had sent a squadron under command of Major (who was a lieutenant-colonel) Myers, to push right through and meet the train.
Then there was nothing to do but to wait. Three days passed, and in rode the little party of Major Elliot, with the dispatches from Fort Sedgwick. On the next day, hurrah52! Here approached, weaving across the plain like a huge snake, the white-topped army wagons and the escort troops.
Out rode the general, to meet them; and particularly to meet Mrs. Custer. The wagons all were there—twenty of them; the column of troops looked intact; but from the wagons or from horse no handkerchief waved greeting, and Ned, on Buckie thudding along behind the general, felt a sudden cold chill. What if anything had happened to the sweet Mrs. Custer, or to Diana of the dancing curls?
Major (who was also colonel) West was in command of the column, for he was the senior officer.
[139]
“All right, general. But we had quite a brush. That is, Cook and Robbins did. Myers and I arrived just in time to see the enemy disappear.”
“No, general. She didn’t leave Hays, fortunately. Cook can tell you about it.”
Didn’t leave Hays! The general seemed to heave a great sigh of relief. Camp and trail were no places for a white woman, even so plucky55 a one as Mrs. Custer, or as pretty Diana. He dashed along the column, seeking Lieutenant Cook.
“Well, Cook! Had a fight, I hear.”
“Yes, sir. They attacked us pretty severely56, on our way out from Wallace, before West and Myers joined us. We saw them coming, and formed with the men on foot and the wagons and horses in the middle. Then we kept right on moving forward, but they circled us savagely57. There were between six and seven hundred of them, weren’t there, Comstock?”
“Fully so,” agreed Scout58 Will Comstock, who was riding near. “But there ain’t as many now, gen’ral. We toppled five of ’em for keeps, an’ there’s more red hides that’s got troublesome holes in ’em. But it looked for a time as though our scalps was goin’ to pay. Six or seven hundred Injuns warn’t goin’ to let fifty men stop ’em from gettin’ at the sugar an’ coffee in those wagons.”
[140]
“Mrs. Custer didn’t start, then?” asked the general, of Lieutenant Cook.
“No, sir. Thank God she didn’t. She was ready to, had her baggage tied up, and General Hancock forbade. I don’t think she liked that very well. I have a letter for you from her.”
General Custer took the letter, and read it in the saddle.
From the talk it appeared that the wagon-train had fought hard and well, for three hours. The wagons were scarred with bullets; in them were several wounded men; and throughout the column were a number of wounded horses and mules59. Ned heard a conversation between Lieutenant Cook and another officer, that showed how serious had been the situation.
“Would you have done it, Cook?” asked the officer, keenly.
Lieutenant Cook firmly nodded.
“I should. When the attack developed I said to myself, at once: ‘If Mrs. Custer were here, in my charge, the first thing I must do would be to ride to her ambulance and mercifully shoot her. That is my solemn promise to the general.’”
“Whew!” sighed the other officer, gravely. “That would be horrible. But not so horrible,” he added, “as to let her or any other white woman fall alive into the hands of the Indians.”
[141]
“We promised the general, in regard to Mrs. Custer,” said the lieutenant. “He made us promise, and he knows that we intended to keep our word.”
“You’d have waited, a little?” pursued the officer.
Lieutenant Cook shook his head.
“No, sir. Not a moment. I love Mrs. Custer like a sister; and the thought that she was dependent on me, and helpless in the ambulance, would have driven me distracted. I should have obeyed orders—and you know what they are. Then I should have fought to the last, and should not have expected to face the general. My course, first and last, was clear. But it didn’t come necessary.”
A Canadian was Lieutenant William Cook, with long black side-whiskers and handsome kindly60 face. He had served through the Civil War, and was accounted one of the best officers in the Seventh. By reason of his birth they called him “Queen’s Own” Cook.
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1
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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picket
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| n.纠察队；警戒哨；v.设置纠察线；布置警卫 | |
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parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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ponies
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| 矮种马，小型马( pony的名词复数 )； ￡25 25 英镑 | |
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boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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arroyos
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| n.（美洲沙漠中的）旱谷，干涸沟壑( arroyo的名词复数 )；干谷 | |
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willows
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| n.柳树( willow的名词复数 )；柳木 | |
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wade
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| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
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killer
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| n.杀人者，杀人犯，杀手，屠杀者 | |
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abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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13
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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14
squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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15
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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20
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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bugle
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| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
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emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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bugler
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| 喇叭手； 号兵； 吹鼓手； 司号员 | |
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24
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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31
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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dwindled
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| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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36
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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37
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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38
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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39
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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40
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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41
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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42
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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43
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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44
tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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45
pealed
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| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
tolled
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| 鸣钟（toll的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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47
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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48
jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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49
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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50
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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51
wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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52
hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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53
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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54
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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55
plucky
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| adj.勇敢的 | |
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56
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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57
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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58
scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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59
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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60
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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