formation, the men leaning forward in their saddles as if riding to the finish of a hard race. He understood that it was a foolish pace for what would

a plaintive, appealing tone which often contrasted oddly with the orders he was giving. Altogether, his dashing and devoted followers often found much to amuse them in the ways of their mild commander. That he had been profou

he hill and down into the valley of the Cheyenne, he was almost up to Captain Miner. The latter's face was set steadily to the front, however, as he scanned the co

iner! Capt

urned and dre

ghtly, "What is it?" It was plain he had reco

t you take it a little slower, as the horses may be ex

ulled at his be

ote in his voice, "I wonder how we are

e they rode their horses into the creek, "but t

coming at the stream, some clearing it in a bound, where the banks were solid enough for a jump, while others became so deeply mired that they could not get out again until the rest of the com

he Indians!

orderly galloped into sight

ruin your horses," he cried. "He

at his beard, a habit of hi

n order?"

e orderly replied, hesitat

eport to the General that we are in sight of the Indians and wi

roan into her accustomed trot, calling out to th

don't run your horses. We'll

leaders, riding neck and neck with Sergeant English and Corporal Wright, while Troopers Tom Frick, George Pike, George McClellan, and others whose names he did not know were near to them. The country was almost level where they were riding and they could now see the three Indians

suggested Sergeant English.

y responded but feebly, their strength lasted long enough to take them to the base of the hills before the pursuers had come within carbine range. As they reached the first steep slope, the Indians suddenly threw themselves from their ponies' backs and, clinging to

?" exclaimed Corporal Wright. "There

ad come up to them. The Captain examined for a moment the ominous looking group ahead. Th

arge, boys." He touched his mare and trotted forward, calling in

h amusement at their commander's quaint orders, but not one hesitated. S

o the mu

ched the top of the hill, they sobered again. The three real Indians were just disappearing down a ravine on the other side. Pell-mell the cavalry rushed after them, Captain Miner and Sergeant English now in the lead. The horses slid and stumbled down through the ravine, but the wily savages were still ahead, dodging about among obstructions to the view which none bu

bay and with cheers and yells of delight a number of troopers sprang from their saddles and encircling the buffalo wallow, though at some distance from it, threw themselves flat on the ground with carbines cocked, waiting for an Indian to show himself. It was like a

ite. He could be trusted to stand through any amount of noise or excitement if his reins were, thrown over his head so that they hung on the ground at his feet. Al left him thus, standing alone, and running forward, dropped down in the ring of dismounted men beside Corporal Wrigh

h at you. It isn't a redskin; it's just a breech clo

fired at it, but some of them hooted derisively, for they knew that the Indians' scheme was to draw a volley, when th

if they never stick their head

g. "We're able to hold out longer at that game than they are. But C

he first soldier he sighted. His aim was bad and he had misjudged the alertness of his foes. Almost before he had shot, a dozen carbines cracked and he dropped back more sudden

murderers!" they shou

on all sides of the hole, until they had approached within a few rods of it. Still the Indians gave no sign. Then again the s

, boys,

arose and with a blood-curdling yell fired their guns straight into the faces of their assailants. Good fortune was surely with the Dakota boys that day, for the bullets, even at that deadly range, whistled by harmlessly, and in less ti

nto it to take trophies, such as beads or feathers, from the dead warriors. Al was standing on the brink of the hole watching the Corporal bend over

his rifle to sho

dian. The Corporal leaped high in air and turned round just in time to see

hast at the suddenness of the thing. "He was p

ambled out of the hole and

h," said he, earnestly. "I hope I

," answered Al, smiling, "but I

cried Sergeant English, "it looks so mi

made a clutch at him; but the Sergeant sprang out of the w

k, while I thra

he rest of the men, all of them in high spirits over their success, yelled and applauded loudly as they dodged about

d returned to the buffalo wallow. Captain Miner was standin

his men. "The General ordered me to bring them to him, dead or alive, and of course we've got to d

ments," suggested somebody, "

ed, peered in the dir

he answered, gratefully. "Ye

or his horse. In less time than it takes to tell it the trophies, stripped from the trappings of the Indians

up during the chase. About midway of their march they were met by Lieutenant Bacon, whom General Sully had sent out with an ambulance carrying water and commissaries to the Coyotes, kno

e, "what do you mean by running off to play with these boys her

y with me, sir," an

a descendant of George Washington. But I don't blame you for go

in Miner led his men directly to the headquarters tents, before which General Sully and a group of staff and other officers collected as the dusty men on their tired horses

eneral," he mur

trophies rolled from i

them. I thank you and your men for the vigor and gallantry and success of your pursuit.