him to guide the command to the course of the Dismal. When he got
there, if he didn't hear from me in the meantime, he was to select a
good camp.

White and I set out, riding carefully and looking for the trail. We had
traveled about ten miles when I found it. The Indians were headed
toward the Dismal. Presently another trail joined the first one, and
then we had to begin extremely careful scouting.

I didn't follow the Indian trail, but bordered the left and struck the
river about five miles above the Fork. There we turned down-stream.
Soon on the opposite side we saw a party of Indians surrounding a herd
of elk. I didn't approach them closely, neither did I follow down the
stream any further. We kept parallel with the course of the river, and
soon stopped at the foot of a high sandhill. From here I knew I could
get a view of the whole country.

I told White to remain there until I came back, and, jumping off old
Joe, I cautiously climbed the hill.

From behind a big soapweed--a plant sometimes called Spanish Dagger--I
got a view of the Dismal River, for several miles. I immediately
discovered smoke arising from a bunch of timber about three miles below
me. Grazing around the timber were several hundred head of horses. Here
I knew the Indian camp to be located.

I slipped down the hill, and, running to old Joe, mounted, telling
White at the same time that I had located the camp. Then we began
circling the sandhill until we got two or three miles away, keeping out
of sight of the Indians all the time. When we felt we were safe we made
a straight sweep to meet the command. I found the scouts first and told
Texas Jack to hold up the soldiers, keeping them out of sight until he
heard from me.

I went on until I met General Reynolds at the head of the column. He
baited the troop on my approach; taking him to one side, I told him
what I had discovered. He said:

"As you know the country and the location of the Indian camp, tell me
how you would proceed."

I suggested that he leave one company as an escort for the wagon-train
and let them follow slowly. I would leave one guide to show them the
way. Then I would take the rest of the cavalry and push on as rapidly
as possible to within a few miles of the camp. That done, I would
divide the command, sending one portion across the river to the right,
five miles below the Indians, and another one to bear left toward the
village. Still another detachment was to be kept