144 TEN DAYS IN MONTANA. 



had the dead Sioux's scalp. They also had about a dozen 

 little scalps that they had cut off, after they got the main one, 

 and these they gave to us boys. 



It was now about time for the relief guard and the senti- 

 nel said I must retire from his beat. Besides, he said, I had 

 better go to bed and sleep if I were going on a buffalo hunt 

 to-morrow. So I bade him good-bye, and after taking a 

 further stroll about the city of tents for half an hour, crawled 

 into my blankers and went to sleep. 



I was out again at daylight, walked about camp and 

 waited patiently for nearly an hour ere the welcome sound of 

 reveille rang out on the clear morning air. Then all was 

 bustle about the camp. The men turned out to roll call, then 

 stable call sounded and they went forth to feed and groom 

 their horses. The civilians of our party now began to stir 

 out and from this on I had company. The morning was 

 clear, cold and frosty; just such a morning as sends the blood 

 tingling through the veins of the sportsman if he rises in 

 time to get the benefit of it. 



Our plans were made late the previous night after tattoo 

 had sounded and the men had retired ; but the detail for our 

 escort was announced early that morning and the busy notes 

 of preparation were heard throughout the camp as the men 

 packed the Major's tents, mess chest, cook stove, cooking 

 utensils, provisions, etc., into the wagon. They packed their 

 own blankets and shelter tents, filled their haversacks, car- 

 tridge belts, and, in short, made every necessary preparation 

 for a five days' scout. It took a greater portion of the fore- 

 noon to fit out the expedition, but when we did move it was 

 in a style that the general of the army, had he been a mem- 

 ber of the party, would have felt proud of. 



