224 MURDER OF THE MEN WITH THE MAIL. 



where he fell down, but very luckily for him his mule 

 continued to run away, so that the Indians, fearing to 

 lose the beast, gave chase, and never more thought of 

 the rider. The man then crawled away, and subse 

 quently reached the camp of the military, where he 

 detailed the fact as it had taken place. It was from 

 this Indian outbreak that I met the frontier men 

 retreating. 



This narrative will sufficiently prove that I had very 

 good reasons for not going with so small a party 

 and so many animals into the vicinity of Pawnee Fork 

 or Walnut Creek, which on starting from Kansas city 

 had been the intended scene for hunting ; and that my 

 determination to seek the society and protection of the 

 officers at Fort Riley, to all of whom I held letters of 

 introduction, was infinitely the wisest course to pursue. 



My journey, therefore, continued towards Fort Riley, 

 and with the fever then prostrating me I longed for the 

 shelter of a roof and medical assistance, or at least a 

 place to rest in, where I might find a remedy and recruit 

 my strength for the treat which, in spite of Indians, I 

 intended yet to enjoy upon the plains. 



