nine o'clock
`` Oh , we can stand off double their force easily , '' was the confident saying of the old hands . `` We have food , water , ammunition , and a smart chance for more fighting , '' so what more could soldier ask ? There was even jollity in the little command , despite the losses of the early morning . There was keen and lively interest in Red Dog 's movements when , by nine o'clock , it was seen that he was calling most of the mounted warriors around him and could be heard haranguing them at the farther end of the village . None of the lodges had been taken down , -- there were no ponies to haul them away , -- but those nearest the southern end were now deserted of women and children and used only as shelter for a few lurking braves . Presently on every side the Indian prowlers opened sharp fire on the troops , a long-range and hap-hazard fusillade , for what with logs and earth , sand , trees , and river-banks and little wooded isles , the defence was well covered , only some of the horses being where they could be plainly seen . The bullets came zipping overhead or spitting vengefully into the sand , doing little harm , yet teaching the troopers to lie low ; and then in the midst of it all Red Dog rode magnificently away from the north end of the village , across the open prairie , heading for some point far up the valley of the Wakon , and sixty braves rode valiantly at his back .