The Ancient One quickly got into position. Using the available cover he quickly got in range of his Winchester.  His companions did likewise.  The Ancient One took aim on one of the men with the strange weapons and fired.  Durga got the other one while The Ax Man got one of the men setting up the mortars. All their targets went down, but they got back up again, obviously hurting, but they got back up again.
   The Ancient One worked his way closer, and again fired at his target. Again his target went down but rose again. And before The Ancient One could take another shot fired his weapon in The Ancient One's direction.  The grass and bushes above The Ancient One burst into flames.  The Ancient One worked his way still closer, rose, and fired again. Again his adversary fell, this time being knocked backwards several feet.  Those on the mortars had given up trying to set them up.  They had picked up hand weapons, and were beginning to fire them in the direction of their tormentors.  
   The Ancient One worked still closer.  "I'm getting damned tired of this!"  he muttered.  He waited for his adversary to fire his weapon again, then rose, took careful aim, then fired.  The top of his adversary's head flew away.  Silvery fluid shot into the air.  Silvery steam began to pour from the man's head. He slumped to the ground and seemed to shrivel up until there was nothing left.
   "Head shot works!"  The Ancient One muttered.  He dove for cover as a flash of fire erupted near him, but then Durga, taking his lead, got a head shot on the second man with a weapon, and he expired like the first.
   One of the others hurried forward but The Ancient One fired off four quick rounds, each one of which found its target.  The man was driven back.  The Ancient One's final shot took the man in the head, and he expired like his companions.
   "Play with fire.." The Ancient One muttered. He took careful aim on one of the mortar rounds and fired.  His aim was perfect!  There was a bright flash and then an even brighter one as all the mortar rounds were ignited!  The two remaining adversaries were engulfed in the fireball and disappeared.
   "That's it for today, kiddies!"  The Ancient One snapped. He went into the area to make sure the weapons had all been destroyed.  He didn't want anything like that being left around for somebody to find. Mankind had enough problems.  When he was sure everything was secure, that there was nothing left of any danger he snapped "Come on!  Let's watch the end of it."
   From their position they watched as the final Indian assault broke over Custer and his men.  An army officer and two soldiers came upon the hill.  They could see The Ancient One and his companions but seemed to pay them no heed.  The officer watched the end through his binoculars then motioned his soldiers to withdraw.  Yahweh appeared.
   "They died well,"  The Ax Man commented, "all of them!  They would be welcome in Valhalla."
   "As they should be!"  Yahweh answered. "It is time. You must go to the next place where these things have planned mischief."
   He waved his hand and The Ancient One and his companions faded out of existence then and reappeared in another place.  They were on a dock, a good size three masted ship was by them.  People were hurrying to get ashore.  The Ancient One looked at his male companion.
   "Joseph!"  he remarked, "Joseph Cutter!"
   He looked to his female companion.  She was an older but still very beautiful Chinese woman.  "Madam Chow!"  The Ancient One moaned.  
   A big Chinese man was approaching down the docks. "We are ready to depart, Captain!"  he cried. "All provisions are aboard.  We have put on extra ballast to make up for the lack of cargo."
   "Good!"  The Ancient One answered.  "Get the gangway out, Chop Chop.  As soon as we're on board cast off and get underway."
   He turned to his male companion. "Mr. Cutter, take your position!"
   "Yes sir!"  The Ancient One's companion answered, and hurried off.  
   When they got on board and took their position on the bridge The Ancient One's female companion asked "Where are we?"
   "I'm not sure," The Ancient One answered. "I think somewhere in China some years after I actually lived in this form, judging by the age you appear. You were much younger when I knew you."
   "Who am I?" Durga asked.
   "You were one of my wives in this lifetime," The Ancient One answered.  
   The Ax Man, who was in hearing distance, muttered "One of them?"
   The Ancient One and Durga exchanged smiles, and The Ancient One decided he'd better find out where they were, and what they were doing.