commander had only been at Omaha or Cheyenne,
as the anxious father hastened to reach his son, the mishap would never
have occurred. The general would gladly have seen to it that suitable
transportation from the railway to Frayne was afforded his old-time
comrade. But, in his absence, Field shrank from appealing to anyone
else, and, through the train conductor, wired ahead to Rock Creek for a
stout four-mule team and wagon, with a capable driver. The conductor
assured him that such things were to be had for money, and that
everything would be in readiness on his arrival. Team, wagon and driver
certainly were on hand, but the team looked rickety, so did the wagon,
so did the driver, who had obviously been priming for the occasion. It
was this rig or nothing, however; and, in spite of a courteous
remonstrance from the two officers at the supply camp, who saw and
condemned the "outfit," General Field started on time and returned on an
improvised trestle three hours later. The "outfit" had been tumbled over
a ledge into a rocky creek bottom, and with disastrous results to all
concerned except the one who deserved it most--the driver. The ways of
Providence are indeed inscrutable.

A surgeon had been sent from Fort Russell, and his report was such that
Waller would not let it go in full to his patient. They had carried the
old soldier back to camp, and such aid as could be given by the rude
hands of untaught men was all he had for nearly twenty-four hours, and
his suffering had been great. Internal injuries, it was feared, had been
sustained, and at his advanced age that was something almost fatal. No
wonder Waller was worried. Then Flint took alarm at other troubles
closer at hand. Up to this year he had been mercifully spared all
personal contact with our Indian wards, and when he was told by his
sentries that twice in succession night riders had been heard on the
westward "bench," and pony tracks in abundance had been found at the
upper ford--the site of Stabber's village--and that others still were to
be seen in the soft ground not far from Hay's corral, the major was more
than startled. At this stage of the proceedings, Sergeant Crabb of the
Cavalry was the most experienced Indian fighter left at the post. Crabb
was sent for, and unflinchingly gave his views. The Sioux had probably
scattered before the squadrons sent after them from the north; had fled
into the hills and, in small bands probably, were now raiding down