One of the soldiers lifted his rifle to shoot the brave, but Buffalo Bill struck the weapon upward before the man could fire.
“He has a right to defy us,” said the border king, “and he is a brave man. We won’t shoot him under the white flag, even if he is a redskin.”
No sooner had the three envoys retreated than the Indians began their attack.
True to their natural instincts, they were cautious at first, beginning by long-range firing.
Some of them dashed toward the walls of the fort on horseback, circling around and lying down in the saddle to avoid presenting an easy mark. They fired their rifles, and then retreated hastily.
But the greater portion of the Indian army dismounted and advanced to the attack on foot, taking advantage of every bit of cover they could find.
Following out Buffalo Bill’s suggestion, the garrison only made a feeble reply to the heavy fusillade poured in upon them.
The volleys of the Indians did little harm, most of their bullets burying themselves harmlessly in the thick walls of the log fort.
Two of the soldiers were killed by bullets which entered the loopholes through which they were firing, and three others were slightly wounded.