Eastern Colorado times., 1913-09-04
the mouth Of Buffalo Creek"

Custer drew the map toward him.
scrutinizing 1t 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
| be farther south on the Washita. How
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.
wal, Gineral." he said slowly. 81
know this yere Brick Hamlin, an
he's right smart plainsman, sojer 'eI
| no sojer. II he says he saw thet pony
| herd, then he sure did. Thet means a
considerable bunch O. Injuns thar, el
tharabouts. Now l know Black Ket
| ties outfit is down on the Washita, &C
the only conclusion is that this yere
| band thet the Sergeant stirred up is,
some new tribe er other, a-driftin
down frum the-north. I reckon If we
ride up ther valley We'll hit their trail
an it'll lead straight down to them
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 man to ask advice. he
preferred to decide for himself. Sud
denly he Strengthened up and threw
back his head to look about.
In my judgment Corbin is right.
gentlemen" he said impetuously Il
had intended crossing here. but in
stead we will 60 further up stream.
There is doubtless ford near Buffalo
Creek. and if we can strike an Indian
trail leading to the Washita, we can
follow easily by night, or 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 will take the ad-
vance again, at least three hours
ahead of the main column. Move with
caution, your flankers well out; both
Hamlin and Corbin will go with you.
Are there any questions?"
Full field equipment?" asked
voice
Certainly, although in case Of 60
ing into action the overcoats will re
discarded. Look over your ammuni-
tion carefully tonight"
They filed out of the tent one by
one. some of the older officers paus-
ing moment to speak with Hamlin
his own captain extending his hand
cordially. with warm word Of COM
mendation. The Sergeant and Major
| Elliott alone remained.
"If strike a fresh trail. General,
asked the latter, "am l to press for
ward or wait for the main body?"
Send back courier at once, but
advance cautiously. careful not to ex
pose yourselves. There is to be no
attack except in surprise, and with
full force. This is important. Major,
as we are doubtless outnumbered. ten
to one. Was there something else,
Sergeant"
Il was going to ask about Miss Nc.
Donald, sir?"
"Oh, yes: she is safely on her way
to Camp Supply. under ample guard
The convoy was to stop on the Cim
arron, and pick up the frozen SOL
dier you left there, and If possible,
find the bodies of the two dead men
Long before daylight Elliott's ad
vance camp was under arms. the
chilled and sleepy troopers moving
forward through the drifted snow Of
the north bank; the wintry wind.
sweeping down the valley, stung their
faces and benumbed their bodies. The
night had been cold and blustery, pro
ductive of little comfort to either man
or beast, but hope of early action ami
mated the troopers and made them OBJ
livious to hardship There was little
grumbling in the ranks, and by day
break the head of the long column
came opposite the opening into the
valley wherein Hamlin had overtaken
the fugitives. With Corbin beside
him, the Sergeant spurred his pony
aside, but there was little to see; the
bodies of the dead lay as they had
fallen, black blotches on the snow
but there were no fresh trails to
show that either Dupont, or any Indi
an ally, had returned to the spot.
..rTl>,+,. oridopoo onouph 'prick