The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-03-13

ukul ACy CAV RAAAASAASAA W hO AAo"
their business. He'll cross the Canad-
ian, and strike out across the plains
to intercept U.S. In that way he will
have no farther to travel than we
have had. In my judgment we shall
not wait here long alone. Have you
eaten?"
mo, sir: I have been statiouing
the guard"
Then sit down here and share what
| little we have. We can waive for
mality tonight
It was after nine o'clock when the
sentries challenged the advance OF
Clusters column, az 1t stole silently
out of the gloom. Ten minutes later
the men were lowering about the
fires, absorbing such small comforts
az were possible while the General
and Major Elliott discussed the situa-
ton and planned to push forward. An
hour later the fires were extinguished,
the horses quietly saddied, and noise
lessly the tired cavalrymen moved
cut once more and took up the trail
The moon had risen. lighting M the
desert, and the Usage guides, together
with the two scouts, led the way. At
Clusters request Hamitn rode beside
! him in the lead Of the troopers. Not
word was spoken above whisper,
and strict orders were passed down
the line prohibiting the lighting Of
match or the smoking OF pipe. Can
teens were muff1ed and swords thrust
securely under saddle flaps. Like a
body of spectres they moved silently
across the snow in the moonlight.
cavalry capes drawn over their heads.
the only sound tho crunching OF
horses hoofs breaking through the
crust.
The trail was as distinct as a road.
and the guides pushed ahead as rapid
~ as by daylight. yet with ever In
creasing caution. Suddenly one Of the
Osages signalled for a halt, ayerring
that he smelled fire The scouts dis
mounted and crept forward. discover
ing a small campfire. deserted but
still smouldering, in strip of timber.
Careful examination made it certain
that this fire must have been k!ndled
by Indian boys, herdjug ponies during
the day and probably meant that the
village was close at hand. The Usage
guides and the two white scouts again
picked up the trail. the cavalry ad-
vancing slowly some distance behind.
Custer, accompanied by Hamlin, rode
yard to the rear and joined the
scouts, who were cautiously feeling
their way up slight decliyity.
The Usage In advance crept through
the snow to the crest OF the ridge and
looked carefully down into the valley
below. Instantly his hand went up in
a gesture of caution and he hurriedly
made his cautious way back to where
Custer sat his horse waiting.
What is it? What did you see?"
Heap Injuns down there!"
The General swung down from his
saddle, motioned the Sergeant to fol-
low, and the two men crept to the
crest and looked over The dim moon
light was confusing. while the shadow
of timber rendered everything indis-
tinct. Yet they were able to make
out herd of ponies, distinguished the
distant bark of dog and the tinkle
of a bell. Without question this was
the Indians winter camp, and they
had reached it undiscovered. Custer
glanced at his watch-the hour was
past midnight He pressed Hamlin's
sleeve, his lips close to the Sergeant's
ear.
Creep back and bring my officers
up here" he whispered. Have them
take of their sabres-'
AS they crept, one after the other,
to where he lay In the snow, the Cen
eral, whose eyes had become accus-
toned to the mooh-gleam. pointed out
the location of the village and such
natural surroundings as could be
vaguely distinguished. The situation
thus outlined in their minds, they
drew silently back from the crest. leav-
| ing there a single Usage guide on
guard, and returned to the waiting
regiment, standing to horse less than
a mile distant Clusters orders for
| immediate attack came swiftly, and
Hamlin, acting as his orderly bore
CQ6u 10 luS Scv 81 Ill AO
entire force was slightly in excess Of
eight hundred men, and there was
every probability that the Indians out
, numbered them five to one. Scouts
had reported to Sheridan that this
, camp of Black Kettles was the win
ter rendezvous not only Of the Chey-
ennes, but also Of bands of fighting
, A1apahoes, Kiowas, Comanches, and
even some Apaches, the most daring
and desperate warriors of the plains.
Yet this was no time to hesitate, to
debate; it was moment for decisive
action. The blow must be struck at
once, before daylight, with all the
power of surprise.
!
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