The statements made afterward by the
Indians were contradictory, but they
all agreed that Custer's appearance
was a great surprise. The best evid
ence shows that the Indians closed in
on both right and left and placed Cus
ter at once on the defensive. Closer
and closer the coil tightened around
that plucky band. One after the other
of the troopers fell, the horses were
stampeded, the amunition ran low, no
messenger had been able to break
through the lines, and the mortality
among the officers was heavy.
Then Custer had his troops fire two
voleys in succession, the usual cry for
help. It was heard in Reno's camp.
It's significance was understood, but
no help came. Soon came the final
act of the tragedy. The Indians closed
in from all sides, led by the cruel
chiefs Crown King, Gall, Crazy Horse
and Rain-in-the-Face. It was a hand to
hand fight. It was 150 against 1,000.
Grouped about Custer were twenty or
thirty desperate men. They fought
with their leader, they fought for their
leader, until the last man lay dead.
Not an American officer or soldier
lived to tell the tale of "Custer's last
fight.” Never in the history of the
world was bravery, devotion to duty
and perfect discipline of troops better
illustrated. Almost without exception
the bodies of the men were found just
where they had fought. Each com
pany was in the place assigned, troop
ers in position. They fought a losing
battle, but they fought without flinch
ing. They were killed, but not dis-”
graced.—Detroit Free Press.
NO HOPE
‘‘There’s no hope that the human
race will be entirely content,” said
hte philosopher.
