He drove out with his keen little axes, sending each through the air like a lane of living light, each one driving home relentlessly and surely. A Dacotah beside him gasped and fell under a stone club; Crawford axed the slayer, saw Le Talon engaged with two stocky Assiniboines, heard the Mohegan yell volley up. No sign of Maclish caught his eye. Behind the storm of tumultuous figures, the Tetons drove out with their long lances, though Old Bear was now down, stabbing and stabbed in red ruin.
Then, like a flash, all was changed. A new yell arose—men paused, staring. Crawford turned, to see the Star Woman coming from the trees, coming forward to the barricade. At sight of her the Stone Men hesitated—then the reloading was accomplished, the muskets began to roar again, bowstrings twanged, scarlet shafts pierced swift and deep. Those of the enemy who had mounted the barricade were swept away, and upon the others poured a deadly rain. These could endure no longer. It was not their mode of warfare, and their fanatic exultation was blasted by the fearful toll of death. Their ranks melted, and they were gone.
Crawford glanced down the line, lips compressed. Le Talon was dead, with his two assailants. Old Bear was gone. Four Tetons remained, with Standing Bull and five Issanti. Crawford turned to the Star Woman.
“Back!” he said sternly. “We cannot risk——”
Her eyes met his gaze steadily, and a smile was on her lips.
“I remain here with you and with my men,” she said quietly. Crawford knew better than to oppose, and changed his tactics instantly.
“Very well,” he said. “But we cannot hold this barricade now—the next rush will end it. Back to the trees, all of us! We must make ready to hold the point of the cliff. That will be our last defence.”
She comprehended, and turned back to the grove. Crawford sent Standing Bull and the Dacotah after her, then turned to Frontin and Black Kettle, who were unhurt.
“Load all the muskets and hold this barricade,” he said quietly.
“Ay, cap’n,” rejoined Frontin, laughing a little.