As night fell the attack slackened off, while the large Lakota village was alive with celebration. About 2:30 a.m., two rifle shots signaled a resumption of the attack. Whatever his reluctance earlier, Benteen took on leadership of the force, leading at least one, perhaps three, charges which drove the Indians back just as it seemed the soldiers would be overrun. Cool and calm (at one point he lay down for a nap), Benteen walked among his troops encouraging them. When his men urged him to get down, he replied that he was protected by some charm his wife had sewn in his uniform. He was wounded in the thumb, and the heel was shot off one of his boots.