WE PART FROM FRIENDS 



The arrivals were two troopers who reported 

 that a little way behind them two six-mule teams 

 were coming, escorted by a dozen cavalrymen 

 under charge of a sergeant. They had been sent 

 out by the commanding officer, at Tom's sugges- 

 tion, as quickly as they could be hitched up after 

 our team with the wounded men had arrived at 

 the fort. 



In a few minutes the teams and escort came up, 

 admitted by the sentry. We soon learned the re- 

 sults of Tom's trip. The badly wounded soldier, 

 Dolan, had died shortly after Tom's arrival at the 

 post. On reaching the fort Tom drove immedi- 

 ately to the adjutant's office and reported to the 

 commanding officer the result of the fight and the 

 condition of the wounded, and then hurried on to 

 the hospital, followed by the major and several 

 other officers and soldiers, all eager to learn all the 

 particulars. 



By this time Tom's wounded leg had made him 

 so lame that he realized the impossibility of his 

 returning to our camp with the supplies; and our 

 mule team, also, was not in condition to return 

 immediately, so he suggested to the major that a 

 couple of six-mule teams be quickly hitched up 

 and started under escort for the camp with ra- 

 tions and feed for Saunders' men and horses; and 

 he very thoughtfully, also, advised sending the 

 blankets of Saunders' troopers, all of which was 

 promptly ordered. 



279 



