THE WOLF HUNTERS 



merits to do this. A soldier who re-enlisted within 

 three months before the expiration*' of his term 

 received a discharge three months in advance of 

 its expiration, with furlough for that length of 

 time and three months' extra pay. At the expi- 

 ration of that time he was expected to report to 

 his company or, if unable to do that, at the near- 

 est military post. Failing to report for duty on 

 time, he was regarded as a deserter. Tom Vance 

 had served for three enlistments and Jack Flanagan 

 for two. I was at the end of my first five years. 



We were at Fort Wise,* Colorado Territory, and 

 it was the summer of 1861. The Civil War was 

 just beginning. 



''What is your plan, Tom?" Jack repeated. 



*'Well, men," said Tom, **as I say, I thought 

 of it last night, and I believe that we can spend 

 the winter somewhere out here in the buffalo 

 range hunting wolves and can make a good stake 

 doing that. We all know something about the 

 plains and something about wolf hunting, and if 

 we can raise the money needed for the outfit, I 

 believe we can make a go of it. The Indians are 

 pretty quiet now, but, of course, we know some- 

 thing about Indians and know that they've got 

 to be looked out for all the time, but I guess we'll 

 be safe enough. What do you think of it.?" 



* Afterward Fort Lyon, on the Arkansas River, and later aban- 

 doned. The site is within a few miles of the present town of Lamar, 

 Colorado. 



