and field kit were safely stored in the troop-stables
since noon the previous day, was himself accounted for nowhere. In view
of the fact that he had not been seen, and could not be found, there was
nothing remarkable about that. With the morning report book, however,
there was handed in a copy of an order duly submitted by Corporal Watts
to Snaffle's first sergeant, and by him to his captain, which read as
follows:

FORT FRAYNE, Wyoming,
December 11, 1876.

S. O. }
} (Extract)
No. 81. }

* * * * *

3. On arriving with his detachment at Fort Cushing, and in
compliance with the telegraphic instructions from Department
Headquarters, Trooper G. P. Rawdon, Troop "L," --th Cavalry, is
granted thirty days' furlough, at the expiration of which he will
report to the commanding officer of Fort Cushing for transportation
to his proper station.

By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Kent,
DOUGLAS JERROLD,
Second Lieut. --th Inf.,
Post Adjutant.

IV

Just as the paymaster predicted, the wintry storm broke with the early
afternoon. A genuine blizzard came shrieking down from the mountain pass
to the northwest, charging madly through the post, blinding the eyes and
snatching the breath of the few hardy men who had to venture out of
doors, driving before it a dense white snow-cloud, sweeping clean the
westward roofs and prairie wastes, and banking up to the very eaves on
the lee side of every building. Even the sentries had to be severally
taken off post and lodged within. (Number Five, so it was reported, had
been blown bodily into the Snaffles' kitchen.) Even the commanding
officer's "orderly," who had barely managed to make his way back after
dinner, was now relieved. Only by hauling himself hand over hand along
the picket fence, and turning his back to the gale every ten seconds to
catch his breath, had he succeeded in returning to his post. Even stable
duty was abandoned, so far as grooming was concerned, for though the men
could readily be blown from barracks to their steeds, no power could
fetch them back for supper. Veteran first sergeants told off a stout
squad in each troop, and sent them with a sack-load of rations to
reinforce