The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-10-09
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 ut 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?" ,
1--WE were not near enough to count
the animals, sir, 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, II
know this yere Brick Hamlin, an
he's 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,
tharabouts. Now l 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. reckon if we
ride up Their 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.
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 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 we'll out; both
Hamlin and Corbin will go with you.
Are there any questions?'
Full field equipment?" asked
voice.
Certainly, although in case of GO
ing into action the overcoats will be
discarded. Look over your ammuni-
ton carefully tonight"
They filed out of the tent one by
one, some of the older officers paus-
ing a moment to speak with Hamlin.
his own captain extending his hand
cordially, with a warm word of COM
mendation. The Sergeant and Major
Elliott alone remained.
IF strike a fresh trail, General,
asked the latter, lam to press for
ward or wait for the main body?"
Send back a 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"
II was going to ask about Miss Me
Donald. sir?"
ooh yes; she is safely on her way
to Camp Supply, under ample guard
The convoy was to stop on the CHM
arron, and pick up the frozen sol
der 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, tbs
chilled and sleepy troopers moving
forward through the drifted snow Of
the north bank; the wintry wind
sweeping down the valley, stung theil
faces and benumbed their bodies. The
night had been cold and blustery pro
ductive of little comfort to either mar
or beast, but hope Of early action ami
mated the troopers and made them OBJ
liyious to hardship There was little
grumbling in the ranks, and by day
break Tie u61u VI LuC lOllE COIAlAA
came opposite the opening into thu
valley wherein Hamlin had overtake1
the fugitives. With Corbin beside
him, the Sergeant spurred his pony
aside. but there was little to see; tn
bodies of the dead lay as they hat
4 fallen, black blotches on the snow
but there were no fresh trails t.
show that either Dupont, or any 1ndi
t an ally, had returned to the spot.
: That's evidence enough, Brick.
commented the scout, staring abou
, warily, that thar wus no permanen
, camp over thar" waving his hand to
/ ward the crest of the ridge. Then
A redskins was on the march, an tina
geezer had ter follow EN-, er els
starve to death. He'd a bin back afor
4 this, an on yer trail with a bunch
/ young bucks"
J. (TO BE CONTINUED)
"a Cruel Form of Punishment.