WILD BILL VISITS US 



ready to wipe out a small party when the oppor- 

 tunity presented. 



While we relied somewhat on our proximity 

 to Fort Larned as a protection from Indian depre- 

 dations, we felt that our only real security was 

 in not being discovered by the Kiowas until our 

 hunting season was over and we were ready to 

 break camp and return to the settlements. 



On Tom's last trip over to the fort he had 

 learned that our old Company K, First Cavalry, 

 together with the other three companies from Fort 

 Wise, under command of Captain Elmer Otis, had 

 passed by Fort Larned a few days before, en route 

 to Fort Leavenworth and the war. 



We were all sorry that we had not learned of the 

 passing of our old command in time for one of our 

 party, at least, to meet them at Fort Larned and 

 exchange gossip with them; and Jack was regret- 

 ting that he had not re-enlisted, instead of going 

 wolf hunting, so that he could now be going to 

 the front with them. He feared that the fighting 

 would be all over and the war brought to a close 

 before he got a chance at it. 



"Don't you fret about this war coming to a 

 close before you can get a whack at them rebels," 

 said Tom. "It's just a-getting under good head- 

 way now, an' there'll be lots of good fighting yet 

 for you and me; and more'n likely, if we live 

 through it, we'll be longing for peace long before 

 peace comes again." 



173 



