Beyond, upon the crest5 of the ridge6, an Osage and two of the officers were keeping keen watch upon the unconscious village below.
Ned dozed7; when he awakened8, stiff and shivering, the moon had set, all was pitchy dark, except that far in the east just a tinge9 of grayness signaled the approach of dawn.
Somebody near Ned stirred, and struck a match. It was the general, who looked at his watch. The flickering10 light revealed his anxious face and moustache rimmed11 with frost. He stood, and bending over another sleeping form he said, low and earnest: “Moylan! Moylan!”
[205]
“Yes, sir.” And the adjutant also sat up, to yawn, and spring to his feet.
“It’s time we were forming. Wake the officers,” continued the general. “Is that you, trumpeter?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Ned.
“You may help us. When you come to Colonel Myers, either of you, give him my compliments and tell him to move his command out at once and take position.”
“Yes, sir.”
Many of the officers already were awake, waiting, peering, listening. All around up-towered dim figures, and cautious voices spoke12 in undertones. Faint jingle13 sounded, as the horses stirred at movement of their guardians14.
Presently into the darkness filed away Colonel Myers’ column, to take position further along on the right.
The troopers of the center column were not yet mounted; the companies in column of fours bided15 the time when the light from the east should be stronger.
Ned, beside his horse, quivered with cold and excitement mingled16. All before was grim and silent; the ridge, snowy and blotched with brush, lay against the sky-line to the south; beyond the ridge was the fated village. Not even a dog barked.
Suddenly through the columns of fours ran a murmur17. Into the velvet18 black sky over the ridge soared slowly and stately a fire signal, of yellow[206] glow. Instantly through Ned’s mind surged the thought that the village was alarmed, Major Elliot or Colonel Thompson had been detected, and this was a flaming arrow to spread the news adown the valley. Next would come the volleys, the shouts, and the shrieks19.
“A rocket! A signal rocket!” ejaculated somebody.
“How long it hangs fire! Why doesn’t it burst?” wondered Adjutant Moylan, impatient.
Up, and up, and up, in course majestic20, it floated higher, changing from yellow to red, and from red to blue, and from blue to lemon. The columns watched, breathless, eye and ear set for the downward curve or the explosion. The general spoke, in tone glad.
“It’s a star.”
“Oh!” sighed officer and men, relaxed, as passed the word.
For a star it was, now flashing white across the white and black; a morning star beautiful beyond description, in this pure, still air. It seemed like an omen21 of peace, but it brooded over a scene of war.
The light in the east had widened. From mouth to mouth the order to advance was given; without bugle22 note the columns mounted and now with creak of snow began to climb the ridge. Down from the crest came the Osage and the two officers. The village still slept, unsuspicious.
The crest was reached. Every eye sought the[207] village below. Its pointed23 tipis could be described, as thick as young cedars24, on both sides of the curving stream. The pony25 herd26 was restless, at the approach of day following the long, biting night.
Here upon the crest was swiftly formed the line of battle, for the charge. Right and left into line rode the troopers, for squadron front; the right held by Colonel West, the left by Captain Hamilton and the Cook sharpshooters who were to fight on foot.
“Officers and men will remove their overcoats and the men their haversacks, to be left here under guard of one man from each company,” directed the general, tersely27. “We must be free in our actions. Not a shot is to be fired before the charge is sounded. Keep those dogs here, too.”
So overcoats and haversacks were dropped; and stripped to their blouses the column again waited, breathing hard.
“For—r’d—march!” The low command trickled28 adown the long line; and more by sight than by hearing the line obeyed. From the crest it began to descend29; and if all was going well, from three other points three other lines were as cautiously closing in on the doomed30 village.
The general led, in the center, with Adjutant Moylan beside him, Ned behind. A few paces off to the rear of the general’s right was Colonel West, commanding the right squadron. Captain Hamilton was on the left.
[208]
“Now, men, keep cool, wait the command, fire low and not too rapidly,” Ned heard him caution, in clear, calm tone.
Sergeant-Major Kennedy of the non-commissioned staff was another man in front of the line. Ned glimpsed him on the right.
Just before the center of the line, in close formation rode the band—every man with his instrument poised31, the chief musician’s cornet at his lips, prepared to burst into “Garryowen” at first signal for attack.
The foot of the hill was reached; the pony herd stared, and jostled uneasily, scenting32 and hearing and seeing. With crackle of snow they moved aside—and as the crackle by the cavalry mingled with the crackle by their ponies33, the village slept on, suspecting naught34.
Now the timber ahead was the goal; for in the timber was the main collection of the lodges35. A few, above and below, had been pitched on this side of the stream; but the majority were across, where the bank was low and level.
From the pony herd to the timber fringe was further than had been expected; as with crackle and slight jingle of sabre and bit the line moved in at eager walk, every man peering, all too fast brightened the landscape. The tipis glimmered36 white; from the apex37 of some curled thin smoke; very soon would the village awake to the routine of another day. How hard they slept—warrior38 and squaw and child and even dog!
[209]
The adjutant nodded. The general swept a glance along his line, right and left; he straightened more in the saddle, his right hand fell to the butt40 of his revolver, projecting from holster; evidently the time had come, and in a few moments would it be known whether this was indeed another abandoned village. Ned raised his bugle to his lips, for the “Charge”; but even while he was drawing breath, in readiness, smart and quick rang from the farther side of the village a single report of rifle! The alarm!
What a change burst upon the slumberous41 valley! Turned in his saddle the general; with a word his voice smote42 the band into action.
“Garryowen! Give it to ’em!”
No longer was there need for concealment43. Quite the opposite. Shattering the icy air, pink with nearing dawn, into full cry blared the doughty44 band. The men cheered wildly; back from the hills beyond the fated village hastened like an echo other cheers.
The line of squadrons, irregular as they surged through the low brush, broke into the trot. Sabres jingled46, saddles creaked; carbines were at the “Advance,” butt on thigh47, muzzle48 up; and the sharpshooters must run.
The trees were close before. The tipis were plain. Dark figures were darting49 among them. Dogs barked[210] furiously. From the other side of the village pealed50 a rattling51 volley of carbines, and spread to a steady clatter52.
The general stood in his stirrups; he whirled Dandy about, and swung high his cap above his yellow hair. Over the clamor of band and of cheer his voice rose exultant53.
“Charge!”
This was enough. Ned glued his lips to that old bugle and from puffed54 cheeks forced his very soul into the wild stirring notes of the “Charge.” On right and on left the company bugles55 answered. Forward sprang the horses, awaiting no spur.
Ned was conscious that the band had dropped back through an interval56 of the squadron behind; they raced on past it; but it continued to play.
For soon ’tis known from whence we came;
Of Garryowen in glory.
More savagely59 cheered the men. Sergeant-Major Kennedy (fine soldier) had drawn60 up almost even with the general and the adjutant. They rode with revolvers held aloft, to be brought down to the deadly level. Ned blew over and over the “Charge”—the bugle in his left hand, but his revolver in his right.
Now they struck the first trees, bordering the stream and housing the sprinkling of tipis on this side. Out from the tipis were bursting men and women—the[211] men half naked, weapons in their grasp, the women scurrying61 with their frightened children. They saw the galloping62 line of blue, and swerved63 for shelter of tree and stream. The Indian rifles cracked venomously into the very faces of the horses. Ned thought that he saw, with the corner of his eye, Captain Hamilton pitch sideways from his saddle. But the Custer revolver, and the revolvers of his companions jetted smoke, and with a roar the carbines of the troopers drowned every noise, almost every thought save the thought of fight.
Back were swept the Indians—warriors64 dodging65, women and children fleeing. Driven from their white lodges, many warriors were standing66 waist-deep in the frozen stream; others fought from cover of the high bank; others from the trees and the brush. It was hot, fast work. Even the squaws were using rifle and bow. Some fell, like the warriors, shot down in the act of bitter defence. It could not be avoided. Ned fired right and left, but whether he hit anybody he did not know.
Now the line was well into the first collection of tipis, and at the stream. On the other side the battle was raging fiercely; and into the stream plunged67 the reckless squadron, their line disorganized but still resistless. Among the tipis opposite reared a single tipi of black, which must be the tipi of the chief, old Black Kettle. But old Black Kettle was lying stark68, shot down by the rapidly riding Koom-la-Manche.
[212]
The battle had developed into a fight-at-will—into quick shooting among the tipis and the trees, cleaning them out. The village was quickly cleaned, but the struggle had only begun. In the village were now the troops; the Indians were outside; their whoops69 and their firing waxed ever more furious. The Osage scouts71 dashed hither-thither, answering whoop70 with whoop. Little Beaver’s face was convulsed like a demon’s. Sighting him, Ned almost fired upon him, but stayed his hand just in time. In the melée ’twas hard to tell friend from foe72.
Driven in by the cordon73 of troopers, still the trapped Cheyennes made desperate rushes, to gain cover. On a sudden Ned’s eyes, roving rapidly among the tipis, were halted short by a new sight: a little white girl running! A little white girl—in fringed buckskins and in moccasins; but yet a little white girl, her long light hair floating over her shoulders. With a startled shout of “Look!” and with jab of spur, Ned dashed for her.
“Mary!” he called. “Mary! Here I am! Mary!”
The fight was every man for himself, and all together to keep the Indians from breaking away. The grove75 was a pandemonium76. Ned had dashed forward alone. He passed the first of the tipis in his path; and there came Mary, fluttering bravely, dodging hard;[213] behind, his hand even now outstretched, his countenance77 scowling78 evilly, was a large Indian warrior. Cut Nose? Maybe. Who he was did not matter.
Again Ned shouted, and spurred Buckie. He leaned, and thrust forward his revolver, to pull trigger. The big Indian was a fair mark, at the short range; but of course the bullet must not hit Mary. Now she had stumbled on a tent peg79, and was down. But Buckie was almost upon her; so was the Indian. Strung bow, with arrow fitted, was in his hand, as he ran; he was quick-witted, for at token of Ned on Buckie disputing his claim his arrow was instantly at his eye, bow-string drawn to an arc, and iron point leveled at Ned’s breast.
THE BIG INDIAN WAS A FAIR MARK, BUT THE BULLET MUST NOT HIT MARY
Ned scarcely had time to check Buckie, fling himself to one side, and pull trigger. He was conscious that the twang of the bow and the bark of his Colt’s sounded together. Then a terrific blow in the face blinded him with starry80 red, and sent him dizzily reeling down, down. His feet slipped from the stirrups, and he landed in a heap.
He must not stay there. His head was numb81 with the shock, but his mind worked frenziedly. What was happening to Mary? What would happen to himself? The great fear of the scalping-knife and of the tearing by cruel hands stung him more than did the pain now increasing. He squirmed to his knees, revolver cocked, and tried hard to see. Before his one eye the tipis swam vaguely82. Was he here alone? Where[214] were the other troopers? Was that light spot Mary? Was Cut Nose coming? Or did the big Indian lie huddled83 upon the trampled84 snow at the base of the tipi on the right, his outstretched fingers touching85 the little girl figure whose face was hidden in her arms!
Fast Ned crawled across, revolver ready. The big Indian did not stir; in one hand his bow was clutched splintered; under him the snow was reddening. Ned threw aside his wild-beast caution.
“Mary!” he called. “Get up. Quick.”
She raised her head, and stared, startled, blue eyes wide.
“Who are you?” she quavered.
“I’m Ned. I’m brother Ned. I’ll save you.”
“Oh, Ned!” she cried, scrambling86 to him. “You’re hurt! You’ve got an arrow sticking right in your head.”
Ned put up his hand, in haste to feel. His fingers met the feathered end of an arrow, jutting87 from his face. An excruciating pain sped through his head and down his back; and frightened, he fainted.
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收听单词发音
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1
capes
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| 碎谷； 斗篷( cape的名词复数 )； 披肩； 海角； 岬 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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whined
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| v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 )；哀诉，诉怨 | |
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crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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dozed
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| v.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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rimmed
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| adj.有边缘的，有框的v.沿…边缘滚动；给…镶边 | |
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12
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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13
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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14
guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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bided
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| v.等待，停留( bide的过去式 )；居住；等待；面临 | |
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16
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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18
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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19
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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21
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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22
bugle
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| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
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23
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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24
cedars
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| 雪松，西洋杉( cedar的名词复数 ) | |
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pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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tersely
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| adv. 简捷地, 简要地 | |
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28
trickled
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| v.滴( trickle的过去式和过去分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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29
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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32
scenting
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| vt.闻到（scent的现在分词形式） | |
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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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naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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35
lodges
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| v.存放( lodge的第三人称单数 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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36
glimmered
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| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
apex
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| n.顶点，最高点 | |
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38
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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39
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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40
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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41
slumberous
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| a.昏昏欲睡的 | |
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42
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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43
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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44
doughty
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| adj.勇猛的，坚强的 | |
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45
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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46
jingled
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| 喝醉的 | |
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47
thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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48
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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49
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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50
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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51
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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52
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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53
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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54
puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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55
bugles
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| 妙脆角，一种类似薯片但做成尖角或喇叭状的零食； 号角( bugle的名词复数 )； 喇叭； 匍匐筋骨草； （装饰女服用的）柱状玻璃（或塑料）小珠 | |
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56
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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58
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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59
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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60
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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61
scurrying
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的现在分词 ) | |
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62
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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63
swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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64
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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65
dodging
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| n.避开，闪过，音调改变v.闪躲( dodge的现在分词 )；回避 | |
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66
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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67
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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68
stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 | |
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69
whoops
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| int.呼喊声 | |
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70
whoop
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| n.大叫，呐喊，喘息声；v.叫喊，喘息 | |
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71
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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72
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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73
cordon
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| n.警戒线，哨兵线 | |
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74
hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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75
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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76
pandemonium
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| n.喧嚣，大混乱 | |
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77
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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78
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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peg
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| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
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80
starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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81
numb
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| adj.麻木的，失去感觉的；v.使麻木 | |
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82
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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83
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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84
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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85
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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86
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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87
jutting
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| v.（使）突出( jut的现在分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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