Part 32 (2/2)

NELSON A MILES

I took the next train for Mandan, ND, which was the station nearest the Standing Rock Agency There I hired a livery teaency I had considerable difficulty in securing a driver, as the report had gone abroad that all the Indians were on the warpath, and few of the settlers cared to risk their scalps on such a venture But I went higher and higher in ured that a hundred dollars was sufficient reward for the risk, and, hitching up his tea

After an intensely cold drive we reached the Agency, where I hurried into the trader's store to thaw out by his stove I had hardly arrived before the trader caent, wanted to see me News travels very fast in the Indian country, especially in war ti in had hurried to headquarters to inforent that Buffalo Bill had arrived by way of reenforceot my chilled blood into circulation I went to the major's quarters, and informed him of the purpose of lad to seewhat I intended to do

”That is ireat war

At this very ency may rise We can take care of our own situation, for we have four troops of cavalry here, but we cannot per Bull's caot halfway there, but your presence in the country would precipitate hostilities for which we are not in the least prepared I'm sorry, Cody, but it can't be done”

More fully to persuade me of the truth of what he said he took me to the quarters of Colonel Brown, the coency, and asked him to talk to me Brown listened to my statement of what I proposed and shook his head

”I've heard of you, Cody, and of your nerve, but this isBull's camp is fortywith Indians all ready to go on the warpath, and wholly beyond the sway of reason I cannot permit you to hlin ”The only thing for you to do is to stay all night with us and then return to the railroad Even that will be risky enough, even for you” ”But go you ency is under er than to with theseGeneral Miles's card from my pocket, I laid it before Colonel Brown

”What does this hlin

”It looks like orders,” said McLaughlin

”Yes,” said Brown, ”and I can't disobey them”

Just then Captain Fatchett, an old friend of mine, came into the quarters, and Brown turned me over to him for entertain Bull I had never served with the Eighth Cavalry to which the co the officers, and spent a very pleasant afternoon and evening talking over old ti inforuard- I told Colonel Brown that I did not think I would require an escort for my visit, as the presence of a number of armed men in the Indian country would be sure to start the trouble it was our purpose to avoid, or to delay as long as possible

The man who had driven ht spring-wagon and a team of mules

”Wait an hour or two,” said the colonel, ”and I'll send the quartermaster to you”

I waited, and he e to General Miles, to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, to the Secretary of the Interior, and to President Harrison He infor to Sitting Bull's camp, and that such an errand would not only result in , and for which he was not at all prepared He besought all of them to instruct me to return to Mandan

While he waited for replies to his dispatches I hunted about the ca Bull was located and how to get there I also wanted a first-class interpreter, as I would have lish or reed to go with uide for five hundred dollars, which I promised him without a protest

Then I went over to the post-trader's store and bought allBull, his squaw, and his children

When I returned to Colonel Brown's quarters he endeavored once more to put me off But I would not be put off I informed him that I had explicit orders from General Miles as tothe orders of his co into very serious trouble

At last he reluctantly sent for the quarterood on was driven to the post-trader's store, where I found uide and interpreter, and loaded aboard the presents I had bought for the old warrior With plenty of robes to keep out the intense cold, we started out on our journey, a little apprehensive, but fully deterh with it Five or sixtoward the Agency They told us that Sitting Bull's camp had been lately moved, and that it was now further down the river

I knew that if the oldup the river, not down, so I felt considerably reassured

When we had proceeded a fewback, saw a rider approaching at full speed This proved to be one of Major McLaughlin's Indian scouts He bore a telegra:

COLONEL WILLIAM F CODY, Fort Yates, ND: