THE WITCH QUESTION AGAIN. 213 



rence of long-range guns, I beg the reader's indul- 

 gence for introducing an anecdote wliicli I afterward 

 heard narrated by an officer who participated in the 



affair. Major A was sent out from Fort Hays 



with a company of men on an Indian scout, and, when 

 near a tributary of the south fork of the Solomon, the 

 savages appeared in force, and a fight commenced, 

 which continued until dark. Several soldiers were 

 wounded and two killed. iVs the Indians were evi- 

 dently increasing in numbers, after nightfall a squad 

 was dispatched to the fort for ambulances and rein- 

 forcements. ■ Only six men could be spared, and these 

 were sent off with a light field-piece in charge. Soon 

 after crossing the Saline, a strong band of Indians 

 was discovered half a mile off reconnoitering. A 

 shell was sent screaming toward them, but the aim 

 was too high, and it burst a short distance beyond 

 them. Nevertheless, the effect was instantaneous ; 

 the savages vanished, nor stood upon the order of 

 their going. During the next ten miles this scene 

 was repeated three times, the stand-point on each oc- 

 casion being removed further and further away. The 

 last shot was a remarkably long one, and the shell 

 burst directly in their faces. Not only did they dis- 

 appear for good, but the whole investing force, on 

 receiving their report, fled likewise. 



Talking thus about Indians, under the gloom of the 

 trees, seemed in some unaccountable way to suggest 

 the idea of witches to the mind of Pythagoras. Per- 

 haps, in accordance with his pet theory of develop- 

 ment, he was cogitating whether, ages ago, tlie reil 

 man's fiimily horse might not have been a broom- 



