Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-05-11

pain.
tions were at once begun in anticipa-
riOn of expected orders to round the In
dams up. Soon we received the orders
by telegraph, and at nee took the field.
The other officers of my troop were
either on leave or on detached service,
so / was temporarily in command of my
troop. / had graduated from the mill
tary academy but n shor time before,
and had been on but few scouts. Still
Phad seen enough field service to make
me quite confident of my ability to COM
mand my troop.
The number of hostile Indians was
reported at about 80, divided into sew
eral bands. AS the direction which
they had taken was not definitely
known, it was considered best for the
troops to separate, as a single troop
could easily capture a band of the hos
tiles, or ever the whole lot in case the
hands should unite, while by separate
ing the chances of striking the trail
would be greatly increased.
/ hailed this plan with delight, for,
As long as my troop was with any n of
the others, 1, being the Junior officer,
could merely obey the orders given TO
me. But alone I would be free to xer
else my ingenuity.
Visions of success rose before me.
Here was an early chance to win fame,
and perhaps a brevet as an Indian fight
err, 1 was alone. and would plan the
capture 1 intended to make. Old
sergeants with a troop are fond of Civ
ing advice to the youngsters" just out
of the academy; but would make them
understand hat they need not attempt
that with me.
NY route was toward the northeast.
We proceeded rapidly, searching eager
ly for Indian signs, through q desert
covered with cactus of many varieties.
Snakes, tarantulas, c~entipedes and
other similar creatures abounded.
For two days we dd not see the
slightest sign OF an Indian trail, and L
began to fear hat l was not to have n
chance to win my spurs. But on the
morning of the third day we struck
an Indian trail, and my hopes rose.
They were short-lived. for the trail was
an old one. We soon lost it and re-
sumed our march in the original direc-
ton.
Next day, soon after an hours halt
for dinner, the scouts reported an In
dian trail. 1 hurried forward to in
spect it. 1t was Il very plain one. and
even to my ~unpracticed eye it was evil
lent that the band was much larger
than we had expected to meet. 1 con-
Guided that the several bands must, by
Il prcconccrted plan, have concentrated
ut some point.
I was delighted at this, for, instead
of capturing n band, | should cap
ture all.
Without loss of time l gave the nee
..ssary instructions, took precautions to
avoid falling into an ambush and ave
the order TO advance. Old IEdian hunt
ers say: IF you see Apache Signs, be
very careful; if you don't see signs, be
much more careful" If the Indians
suspect they are being pursued they
will destroy, as far as possible, all signs
of their trail. The clearness of the
trail we were following assured me
that the Indians were blissfully uncon-
scious of our presence.
The scouts, however, were directed t.
remain near the column. and in order
not 10 lose any of the credit Of the cap
rure | followed close on their heels.
We moved quite rapidly. and the trail
grew warmer every minute. We were
at the most not over two hours behind
the Apaches.
II was growing dusk, and l began to
ear tIaG we should not come up with
them that night. but would be forced