THE WOLF HUNTERS 



Injun lodge without a body goes to the trouble of 

 starting up a blaze in the fire. 



"I've got to keep on the right side of that old 

 medicine-man that's doctoring the old chief now," 

 said Tom; "and I'd like to teach him something if 

 I could." 



Soon we were ready and started, Bill and I can- 

 tering off on the trail while Tom struck out down 

 the creek. 



On arriving at Fort Larned, knowing that Lieu- 

 tenant Lang always kept a demijohn of whiskey 

 in his quarters, I procured a pint bottle of the 

 "medicine" Tom desired and spent the night at 

 his quarters. 



Just before going to the officers' mess for supper 

 with Lieutenant Lang that evening, thinking that 

 it would be an interesting trip for him, I had sug- 

 gested to him that he go out to our camp and see 

 something of the Kiowas with whom later he 

 might have some dealings. He declined to go on 

 the ground that the weather was wintry and the 

 ride a long one. 



Captain Saunders, who was present, expressed 

 surprise that Lieutenant Lang did not jump at the 

 chance and said to me: 



"Mr. Peck, if I can get leave of absence from 

 the major, may I accompany you on this trip to 

 the Indian camp?" 



"Certainly, captain," I replied. "I'll be de- 

 lighted to have you go along." 



214 



