THE WOLF HUNTERS 



sider that we were in any way indebted to him on 

 account of his horse being killed in our service. 

 No; that was merely one of the misfortunes of war. 



But Tom, Jack, and I, although we had not said 

 a word to each other about it, had each mentally 

 decided that we ought to present the black horse 

 to Wild Bill to make good his loss and to show 

 our appreciation of his manly response and price- 

 less service in our hour of need. 



In reply to his question, "What do you say?" 

 and an expressive look from Jack, I said : 



"Not having consulted my partners about the 

 matter, Bill, of course I can't speak for them, but 

 I think it's a safe guess that you'll get the horse; 

 and there is plenty of time in the future to settle 

 on the price." 



"Well, now, that's the way I like to hear you 

 talk," said he with a gratified smile. "When we 

 get over to the fort, you and Jack can talk it over 

 with Tom and let me know the price you agree 

 on, and I'll dig up the money." 



The night passed quietly. As Bill had said, the 

 hostiles had been too badly whipped to think of 

 returning to attack us. After breakfast next 

 morning the horses were saddled and the wagons 

 packed; and marching out on the Fort Larned 

 trail, the company moved first in "column of 

 fours," followed by the two six-mule teams, and 

 then came the "cavvy-yard," driven by the men 

 of the guard acting as "rear-guard." Bill, Jack, 



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