Their army marched out, searched the mines, found
nothing and set up their cannon. The rest came out and made camp,
safely out of range.
30 With little doubt they would rest the night and attack at dawn. But
Red Serpent's people were moving into position long before dawn.
Quietly, silently, their cannon were moved up. The men replaced with
dummies, and they slipped into their NEW positions. The sharp shooters
slipped into their fox holes, and took careful aim on their marks.
31 From his position, Red Serpent could see shadows moving in behind
the wall, as the sky slowly grew light. He wished he could see the
enemy commander, but instead he watched for the first men to top the
wall.
32 The enemy's cannon started firing and the earthworks began to suffer
from blow after blow. He could see the enemy gunners cheer as they saw
what looked like cannon barrels go flying into the air. Little they
knew their marksmanship was wasted!
33 Out in the field the War Leaders behind the wall rose. That was what
Red Serpent was looking for. He turned to his Trumpeters and brought
down his hand. A shrill,
loud note filled the air, followed by a second. As the enemy's first
wave rose, to top the wall, the Sharp Shooters fired. In a
terrible roar the wall ceased to exist. It was blown back into the
enemy's faces and almost his entire first wave was destroyed, and, much
of his second wave. Those that survived staggered back, stunned and
bewildered.
34 But their War Leader rallied them again. "The Oneness might be
insane," thought Red Serpent, "but they're brave enough."