“And there is the rest of your column appearing!” cried Keyes. His seniority gave him command. He raised his saber on high and stood up in his stirrups. “Now, charge back to the fort, my bully boys, and give these red devils what they are looking for!” The redskins were not inactive, and there were already empty saddles in the troop; but the tribesmen were demoralized. They began fleeing toward the river across the valley. Out upon the ridge spurred the guns belonging to Captain Taylor’s command, unlimbered, and opened fire on the fleeing reds, the shells screaming over the heads of the charging troops in blue. Down into the valley poured the remainder of Taylor’s column, eager to have some part in the rout. Upon this scene rode Buffalo Bill and his beautiful captive as they left the cañon’s mouth. The Indians were in wild flight. The whites were forcing them toward the river. Buffalo Bill pulled in his horse, and his keen glance swept the field of carnage. He saw that the battle was practically over. Oak Heart’s warriors had shown the white feather. The unexpected coming of the rescue-party had knocked out completely the reds’ plans, and they could not rally. Then the scout looked down at the sorrowful face of White Antelope. “Yonder flies the White Antelope’s father, the great chief, Oak Heart, and his people,” Cody said gravely. “The palefaces are greater than the red men. They always have been. They always will be. Remember, White Antelope, that Pa-e-has-ka says this, and he is wise, and he knows. The red men must melt away before the white men, or else become as the white men are--tillers of the soil, traders, homesteaders. The red men, who learn this lesson soon, will be saved. There is no other gospel to preach to the red men--and Pa-e-has-ka preaches it. “The White Antelope’s mother was white,” continued the old scout, seeing that he had the girl’s attention, and he spoke with trembling voice. “She was a beautiful woman--and Oak Heart loved her greatly. While she lived the Sioux remained for years at peace with the white men. Now Oak Heart is influenced by less wise counselors than thy mother. And see what has come of it! “Many men are dead. Much bitterness is engendered. The strife has been bloody, and now the red men go back to their squaws and children like whipped dogs! “The whites and reds will now be against each other for a long time because of this trouble. And what have the people gained, White Antelope? A few scalps? Aye, but they have lost more. Many women will tear their hair and mourn in the lodges of the Sioux because of this battle. “Let the White Antelope remember this. She has influence beyond her years with her people. Let her remember what Pa-e-has-ka says and counsel her father and the other chiefs to make peace with the white men while they may.