The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-07-24

for the shock. You young West Point
ers lose, and yet the honor remains
with the regiment. Miss Molly Nc
Donald, the toast Of old Fort Dodge,
whose bright eyes have all your
hearts, has given hers to Sergeant
Hamlin of the Seventh. And
again, boys, to the honor of the regi-
ment!"
Out Of the buzz of conversation and
the hearty words of congratulataon,
Hamlin emerged bewildered, finding
himself again facing Custer, whose
manner had as swiftly changed into
the brusque note Of command.
81 have met you before, Sergeant"
he said slowly, before your assign
ment to the Seventh, I think. l am
not sure where; were you in the Shen-
andoah?"
81 was, sir"
"At Winchester"
81 saw you first at Cedar Creek,
General Custer; l brought a flag"
That's it; I have the incident
clearly before me now. You were a
"Of the Fourth Texas, sir"
Exactly; 1 think 1 heard later-but
never mind that now. Sheridan re-
members you; he even mentioned
your name to me a few weeks ago. No
doubt that was what caused me to
recognize your face again after all
these years. How long have you been
in our service?"
Ever since the war closed"
For a moment the two men looked
into each others faces, the command
er smiling, the enlisted man at re-
spectful attention.
"I will talk with you at some future
time, Sergeant" Custer said at last,
resuming his seat on a log. Nov we
shall have to consider tomorrow's
march. Were you within sight Of
Black Kettles camp?"
mo, sir; only of his pony herd
out in the valley Of the Canadian"
where would you suppose the
camp situated?"
above, behind the bluffs, about
the mouth of Buffalo Creek"
Custer drew the map toward him,
scrutinizing it carefully.
"You may be right, Of course" he
commented, his glance on the faces Of
the officers, "but this does not agree
with the understanding at Camp Sup
ply, nor the report of our Indian
scouts. We supposed Black Kettle to
shA forfhar cNrfh IN Tho Uyochfta Inw
large was the pony herd?"
I'VE were not near enough to count
the animals, air, but there must have
been two hundred head"
"A large party then, at least. What
do you say, Corbin?"
The scout addressed, conspicuous
in his buffalo skin coat, leaned against
the tent-pole, his black whiskers NOV
ing industriously as he chewed.
oval. Gineral." he said slowly, IT
know this we're Brick Hamlin, an
he's a right smart plainsman, sojer 'er
no sojer. If he says he saw tibet pony
herd, then he sure did. Thet means a
considerable bunch O. Injuns thar, er
ltharabouts. Now I know Black Ket-
ties outfit is down on the Washita, SO
the only conclusion is that this yere
band tibet the Sergeant stirred up is
some new tribe er other, a-driftin'
down frum the north. l reckon If we
ride up Their valley we'll hit their trail,
an it'll lead straight down to them
I~Cheyennes."
Custer took time to consider this
explanation, spreading the field map
out on his knees, and measuring the
distance between the streams. No
one in the little group spoke, although
several leaned forward eagerly. The
chief was not a man to ask advice; he
preferred to decide for himself. Sud
denly he Strengthened up and threw
back his head to look about.
I'm my judgment Corbin is right.
gentlemen" he said impetuously. II
had Intended crossing here, but in
stead we will go further up stream.
There Is doubtless q ford near Buffalo
Creek. and II we can strike an Indian
trail leading to the Washita. we can
follow easily by night, OF day, and 1t
is bound to terminate at Black Ket-
ties camp. Return to your troops,
and be ready to march at daybreak.
Major Elliott, you WIFI take the ad-
vance again. at least three hours
ahead Of the main column. Move with
caution, your fankers well out; both
Hamlin and Corbin will go with you.
Are there any Questionsf"
Full field eQuipment?" asked q
voice.
Certainly. although in cas Of go
Ing into action the o%vercoats will be
discarded. Look rel your ammuni-
ton carefully tonight"
They fled out Of the tent n by
one, some Of the older officers paus-
ing . moment to speak with Hamlin,
his own captain extending his hand
cordially, with q warm word of COM
mendation. The Sergeant and Major
Elott alone remained.
II ] strike . fresh trail. General"
asked the latter. "am I to press for
ward Or rait for the main bodyf"