"The sharpshooters have discovered the Indians!" was the cry, and then followed more shots, and several rangers came running back towards the main body of troops.
Colonel Bouquet at once halted his soldiers and then, as the sounds of warfare increased, he ordered a charge. Leaving the pack horses and cattle behind, the regulars and rangers swept along the road, with bayonets fixed and eyes on the alert for the first appearance of the Indians.
"There they are!" came the cry, and on the instant fully a hundred painted warriors leaped from behind the trees and sent a volley of arrows and bullets at the soldiers. The latter fired in return, and several red men went down, never to rise again. Then a second band of Indians appeared from another quarter, and the fighting became general.
The sharpshooters had fallen back, to keep from being surrounded and cut off, and it was not long before Sam Barringford ranged up beside Rodney and Dave. The young soldiers were loading and firing as rapidly as possible. Bullets were flying in all directions and men were dropping everywhere.
The young soldiers were loading and firing as rapidly as possible.
"We're catching it this trip!" muttered the old frontiersman, grimly. "We'll be lucky ef we git out with a whole skin!"
For half an hour the battle continued hotly. Then, in the midst of the tumult, came a volley of shots from the rear.