92 THE SCOUT'S PROPHECY 



concealed, yet such was not the case. Ravines of greater or 

 less extent, though not perceptible at a glance, extended almost 

 to the trail over which the party was moving. These ra- 

 vines, if followed, would be found to grow deeper and deeper 

 until they would terminate in the valley of some stream, and 

 were the natural hiding-places of Indian war parties, waiting 

 their opportunity to dash upon their unsuspecting victims. 

 They serve the same purpose to the Indians of the timberless 

 plains, that the ambush did to those accustomed to fight in 

 the forests." 



Then he goes on to show with what unerring* sagacity 

 the experienced scout who acted as guide to the party 

 noted and commented upon the circumstances. 



" Comstock's keen eyes (he proceeds to say) took it all in at 

 a glance, and he remarked to Colonel Crook and Lieutenant 

 Robbins, as the three rode together at the head of the co- 

 lumn, ' Ef the Injuns strike at us at all, it will be just about 

 the time we are comin' back over this very spot. Now mind 

 what I tell ye all.' " * 



How truly Comstock, a well-known and celebrated 

 scout, had interpreted the course of events, was subse- 

 quently shown by an attack occurring exactly as he 

 had prophesied, upon the return journey; which being 

 anticipated beforehand, owing to his sagacity and 

 warning, was easily repulsed with severe loss to the 

 assailants. This is an admirable instance of the ines- 

 timable value of the services of those trained and 

 vigilant, though otherwise illiterate plainsmen and 

 warriors, many of whom, while apparently gazing 

 abstractedly into space and taking no note of anything, 

 are often, as we have repeatedly had occasion to 



* My Life on the Plains, or Personal Experiences with Indians, by 

 General Geo. A. Custer, U.S.A., 1865, pp. 63 4. 



