With a will the two outlaws gave the old guerrilla battle cry that had made Quantrell's men known and feared.
Panic-stricken, the redskins leaped to their feet.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack went the four six-shooters in the desperadoes' hands.
And with each bark of a pistol one of the Indians advancing toward Comanche Tony, pitched forward, a bullet hole in his heart.
But only for a minute did the braves lose their heads.
Thundering at his warriors, Great Bear commanded:
"Charge them! They are only two, we are twenty! We can push them off the precipice!"
Inspired by the words of their chief, which had been uttered in their native tongue, the braves drew their revolvers, opening fire on Jesse and Wild Bill as they advanced.
Never had the guerrilla battle cry sounded so sweet as it did to the ears of Comanche Tony as he stood, bound fast to the stake, watching the bucks approach with the firebrands and twigs with which to kindle a blaze about his feet.
But, when turning his head, he saw only Wild Bill and Jesse and a moment later beheld the warriors rally to the charge, he was filled with fear.