easiest way north.
18 Already two levels of earthworks were ready, completely across the
passage before the village. He walked up to one of the Cannoneers;
"What's the range of your pieces?” he asked.
19 "You see those little marker stakes out there with the black flags
on them," asked the Cannoneer, "just before that wall? That's our
furthest possible reach. That's where we hope to drop the first of
them. We're already ranged. Just before they reach each marker, we'll
fire, if there's any
of us left TO fire! I'll lay odds they'll set up their guns in the entrances to those old mine shafts. They make perfect
ramparts, and they'll be able to reach our whole line."
20 Little Dog walked out and inspected the mine shafts. Then, he walked
back to Red Serpent and sat down. "You're going to get massacred, you
know," he announced, "if you fight them on their own terms. They'll cut
you to pieces. I've got a plan, if you want to hear it."
21 "I'm listening!" answered Red Serpent.
22 "First of all, pull half your cannon. Move them to the flanks. Cut
logs, carve them and paint them, and stick them into position so that
the enemy will think the pieces are still there. Take all but a handful of men out of the earthworks. Put them on the flanks.
Hide some of them in those mine shafts. When the enemy attacks we'll
blow up that wall out there in his face. That ought to take out his
first wave.
23 When that goes, the men in the tunnels will come out and attack
their cannon. They'll be too close for Yellow Thunder, and anyway, we
want the cannon intact. I'll rig them some light charges,