"Any raiding going on about here?"

"Well, yes. I am going to send Clinton out to punish a war-party of
Kiowas if he can catch them. I am aware you are used to roughing it, but
you know nothing about campaigning with troops, and I thought I would
give you a chance to get your hand in before I call upon you to lead us
across the river. Some young bucks belonging to Satanta's band, the most
of them mere boys, have broken away from their agency and come down here
in pursuit of scalps and fame. Among other outrages which they have
committed, they jumped down on a poor fellow the other day, killed or
scattered his herdsmen, drove off his stock and carried his two children
into captivity. I should like to be the means of ridding the frontier of
that villain, for he is dangerous. During a peace-council that was held
at Fort Dodge some time ago, Satanta talked so glibly about his desire
to cultivate friendly relations with us, and his unalterable
determination to 'follow the white man's road' in future, that he really
succeeded in making the commissioners believe that he was sincere in
what he said. To encourage him in his good resolutions, the department
commander and staff presented him with a uniform coat and sash and a
brigadier-general's hat. How the wily old scoundrel must have laughed in
his sleeve when he saw how completely he had bamboozled some of our best
soldiers!"

"How long did he keep his promise?" asked George.

"About three weeks, and then he led an attack, dressed in his new
uniform, against the fort in which the council was held. Oh, he's a good
one! I know you didn't come here to fight Indians, but you'll have to
hold yourself in readiness for anything that turns up."

"You will always find me around when you want me," replied George. "May
I write a letter here?" he continued, seeing that the colonel picked up
his pen and turned to his table to resume some writing in which he had
been interrupted when Bob and the new scout came in to report.

"Certainly. There are pens, ink and paper; help yourself. There's the
letter-box over there. The mail-carrier goes out to-morrow."

Before George could begin work on his letter the officer of the day came
in. He shook hands with the new-comer, to whom he had been introduced on
the occasion of the boy's first visit to the fort, and was told by the
colonel to put the deserters into the guard-house, to show George where
to stake out his horse and mule, and to see tha