INDIAN HOSTILITIES. 67 



had been shot, and that emigration was stopped par ordre. 

 The Kiowas and the Cheyennes were certainly on the war- 

 path, the Sioux probably " out." There was a rumour also, . 

 believed to be true, that the Indians had been fighting 

 amongst themselves. He, the commanding officer, was then 

 expecting reinforcements from Fort Leavenworth, to enable 

 him to put a scouting party in the field. 



Our gallant friend further told us he thought we had 

 "crowded our luck," and would be wise to take no more 

 chances ; that he was going to send a small escort off in a 

 couple of days with despatches to his district head-quarters, 

 and we had best wait for them and avail ourselves of their 

 protection as far as the Pottowattomie's country ; and that 

 if we chose to do so, he would give them orders not to travel 

 faster than we could conveniently go, as they could make up 

 any lost time after parting from us. Such an offer was too 

 good to be refused, and was gladly accepted. 



The interview closed by an invitation to spend our spare 

 time with him and his officers especially the evenings 

 our friend adding that though their resources for amuse- 

 ment were quite limited, he could ensure us hearty wel- 

 come, good cheer, and pleasant company, and he would 

 immediately see what could be done for us in the matter 

 of quarters and stabling. We begged, however, he would 

 give himself no trouble about our accommodation, since we 

 much preferred camping out in our usual way until we 

 should arrive at home again. He then told us there had 

 been a haj-camp just below the Fort in the river bottom, 

 and as several large ricks were still there, he had, fearing 

 they might be burned, placed them under guard since the 



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