three o'clock
Again and again they made the effort , only to be driven back by the deadly Indian rifle fire . This came mostly from braves concealed behind rocks or protected by the timber along the stream , but large numbers of hostiles were plainly visible , not only in the valley , but also upon the ridges . The firing upon their position continued incessantly , the warriors continually changing their point of attack . By three o'clock , although the majority of the savages had departed down the river , enough remained to keep up a galling fire , and hold Reno strictly on the defensive . These reds skulked in ravines , or lined the banks of the river , their long-range rifles rendering the lighter carbines of the cavalrymen almost valueless . A few crouched along the edge of higher eminences , their shots crashing in among the unprotected troops . As the men lay exposed to this continuous sniping fire , above the surrounding din were borne to their ears the reports of distant guns .