ARMY LETTERS FROM AN OFFICER'S WIFE

By Frances M. A. Roe

PREFACE

PERHAPS it is not necessary to say that the events mentioned in theletters are not imaginary--perhaps the letters themselves tell that!They are truthful accounts of experiences that came into my ownlife with the Army in the far West, whether they be about Indians, desperadoes, or hunting--not one little thing has been stolen. Theyare of a life that has passed--as has passed the buffalo and theantelope--yes, and the log and adobe quarters for the Army. All flowerydescriptions have been omitted, as it seemed that a simple, concisenarration of events as they actually occurred, was more in keeping withthe life, and that which came into it. FRANCES M. A. ROE. 

ARMY LETTERS FROM AN OFFICER'S WIFE

KIT CARSON, COLORADO TERRITORY, October, 1871. 

IT is late, so this can be only a note--to tell you that we arrived heresafely, and will take the stage for Fort Lyon to-morrow morning at sixo'clock. I am thankful enough that our stay is short at this terribleplace, where one feels there is danger of being murdered any minute. Not one woman have I seen here, but there are men--any number ofdreadful-looking men--each one armed with big pistols, and leather beltsfull of cartridges. But the houses we saw as we came from the stationwere worse even than the men. They looked, in the moonlight, like hugecakes of clay, where spooks and creepy things might be found. The hotelis much like the houses, and appears to have been made of dirt, and afew drygoods boxes. Even the low roof is of dirt. The whole place ishorrible, and dismal beyond description, and just why anyone lives hereI cannot understand. 

I am all upset! Faye has just been in to say that only one of my trunkscan be taken on the stage with us, and of course I had to select onethat has all sorts of things in it, and consequently leave my prettydresses here, to be sent for--all but the Japanese silk which happens tobe in that trunk. But imagine my mortification in having to go withFaye to his regiment, with only two dresses. And then, to make myshortcomings the more vexatious, Faye will be simply fine all the time, in his brand new uniform!

Perhaps I can send a long letter soon--if I live to reach that army postthat still seems so far away. 

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, October, 1871. 

AFTER months of anticipation and days of weary travel we have at lastgot to our army home! As you know, Fort Lyon is fifty miles from KitCarson, and we came all that distance in a funny looking stage coachcalled a "jerkey, " and a good name for it, too, for at times it seesawedback and forth and then sideways, in an awful breakneck way. The day wasglorious, and the atmosphere so clear, we could see miles and miles inevery direction. But there was not one object to be seen on the vastrolling plains--not a tree nor a house, except the wretched ranch andstockade where we got fresh horses and a perfectly uneatable dinner. 

It was dark when we reached the post, so of course we could seenothing that night. General and Mrs. Phillips gave us a most cordialwelcome--just as though they had known us always. Dinner was served soonafter we arrived, and the cheerful dining room, and the table with itsdainty china and bright silver, was such a surprise--so much nicer thananything we had expected to find here, and all so different from theterrible places we had seen since reaching the plains. It was apparentat once that this was not a place for spooks! General Phillips is not areal general--only so by brevet, for gallant service during the war. Iwas so disappointed when I was told this, but Faye says that he is verymuch afraid that I will have cause, sooner or later, to think thatthe grade of captain is quite high enough. He thinks this way because, having graduated at West Point this year, he is only a second lieutenantjust now, and General Phillips is his captain and company commander. 

It seems that in the Army, lieutenants are called "Mister" always, butall other officers must be addressed by their rank. At least that iswhat they tell me. But in Faye's company, the captain is called general, and the first lieutenant is called major, and as this is most confusing, I get things mixed sometimes. Most girls would. A soldier in uniformwaited upon us at dinner, and that seemed so funny. I wanted to watchhim all the time, which distracted me, I suppose, for once I calledGeneral Phillips "Mister!" It so happened, too, that just that instantthere was not a sound in the room, so everyone heard the blunder. General Phillips straightened back in his chair, and his little son gavea smothered giggle--for which he should have been sent to bed at once. But that was not all! That soldier, who had been so dignified and stiff, put his hand over his mouth and fairly rushed from the room so he couldlaugh outright. And how I longed to run some place, too--but not tolaugh, oh, no!

These soldiers are not nearly as nice as one would suppose them to be, when one sees them dressed up in their blue uniforms with bright brassbuttons. And they can make mistakes, too, for yesterday, when I askedthat same man a question, he answered, "Yes, sorr!" Then I smiled, ofcourse, but he did not seem to have enough sense to see why. When Itold Faye about it, he looked vexed and said I must never laugh at anenlisted man--that it was not dignified in the wife of an officer to doso. And then I told him that an officer should teach an enlisted mannot to snicker at his wife, and not to call her "Sorr, " which wasdisrespectful. I wanted to say more, but Faye suddenly left the room. 

The post is not at all as you and I had imagined it to be. There is nohigh wall around it as there is at Fort Trumbull. It reminds one of aprim little village built around a square, in the center of which is ahigh flagstaff and a big cannon. The buildings are very low and broadand are made of adobe--a kind of clay and mud mixed together--and thewalls are very thick. At every window are heavy wooden shutters, thatcan be closed during severe sand and wind storms. A little ditch--theycall it acequia--runs all around the post, and brings water to the treesand lawns, but water for use in the houses is brought up in wagons fromthe Arkansas River, and is kept in barrels. 

Yesterday morning--our first here--we were awakened by the sounds offife and drum that became louder and louder, until finally I thought thewhole Army must be marching to the house. I stumbled over everythingin the room in my haste to get to one of the little dormer windows, butthere was nothing to be seen, as it was still quite dark. The drummingbecame less loud, and then ceased altogether, when a big gun was firedthat must have wasted any amount of powder, for it shook the house andmade all the windows rattle. Then three or four bugles played a littleair, which it was impossible to hear because of the horrible howlingand crying of dogs--such howls of misery you never heard--they mademe shiver. This all suddenly ceased, and immediately there were lightsflashing some distance away, and dozens of men seemed to be talkingall at the same time, some of them shouting, "Here!" "Here!" I beganto think that perhaps Indians had come upon us, and called to Faye, whoinformed me in a sleepy voice that it was only reveille roll-call, andthat each man was answering to his name. There was the same performancethis morning, and at breakfast I asked General Phillips why soldiersrequired such a beating of drums, and deafening racket generally, toawaken them in the morning. But he did not tell me--said it was anold army custom to have the drums beaten along the officers' walk atreveille. 

Yesterday morning, directly after guard-mounting, Faye put on hisfull-dress uniform--epaulets, beautiful scarlet sash, and sword--andwent over to the office of the commanding officer to report officially. The officer in command of the post is lieutenant colonel of theregiment, but he, also, is a general by brevet, and one can see byhis very walk that he expects this to be remembered always. So itis apparent to me that the safest thing to do is to call everyonegeneral--there seem to be so many here. If I make a mistake, it will beon the right side, at least. 

Much of the furniture in this house was made by soldier carpenters hereat the post, and is not only very nice, but cost General Phillipsalmost nothing, and, as we have to buy everything, I said at dinner lastevening that we must have some precisely like it, supposing, of course, that General Phillips would feel highly gratified because his tastewas admired. But instead of the smile and gracious acquiescence I hadexpected, there was another straightening back in the chair, and asilence that was ominous and chilling. Finally, he recovered sufficientbreath to tell me that at present, there were no good carpenters in thecompany. Later on, however, I learned that only captains and officers ofhigher rank can have such things. The captains seem to have the best ofeverything, and the lieutenants are expected to get along with smallerhouses, much less pay, and much less everything else, and at the sametime perform all of the disagreeable duties. 

Faye is wonderfully amiable about it, and assures me that when he getsto be a captain I will see that it is just and fair. But I happento remember that he told me not long ago that he might not get hiscaptaincy for twenty years. Just think of it--a whole long lifetime--andalways a Mister, too--and perhaps by that time it will be "just andfair" for the lieutenants to have everything!

We saw our house yesterday--quarters I must learn to say--and it isever so much nicer than we had expected it to be. All of the officers'quarters are new, and this set has never been occupied. It has a hallwith a pretty stairway, three rooms and a large shed downstairs, andtwo rooms and a very large hall closet on the second floor. A soldier iscleaning the windows and floors, and making things tidy generally. Manyof the men like to cook, and do things for officers of their company, thereby adding to their pay, and these men are called strikers. 

There are four companies here--three of infantry and one troop ofcavalry. You must always remember that Faye is in the infantry. Withthe cavalry he has a classmate, and a friend, also, which will makeit pleasant for both of us. In my letters to you I will disregard armyetiquette, and call the lieutenants by their rank, otherwise you wouldnot know of whom I was writing--an officer or civilian. LieutenantBaldwin has been on the frontier many years, and is an experiencedhunter of buffalo and antelope. He says that I must commence ridinghorseback at once, and has generously offered me the use of one of hishorses. Mrs. Phillips insists upon my using her saddle until I can getone from the East, so I can ride as soon as our trunks come. And I am tolearn to shoot pistols and guns, and do all sorts of things. 

We are to remain with General and Mrs. Phillips several days, while ourown house is being made habitable, and in the meantime our trunks andboxes will come, also the colored cook. I have not missed my dressesvery much--there has been so much else to think about. There is a littlestore just outside the post that is named "Post Trader's, " where manyuseful things are kept, and we have just been there to purchase somereally nice furniture that an officer left to be sold when he wasretired last spring. We got only enough to make ourselves comfortableduring the winter, for it seems to be the general belief here that thesecompanies of infantry will be ordered to Camp Supply, Indian Territory, in the spring. It must be a most dreadful place--with old log housesbuilt in the hot sand hills, and surrounded by almost every tribe ofhostile Indians. 

It may not be possible for me to write again for several days, as I willbe very busy getting settled in the house. I must get things arrangedjust as soon as I can, so I will be able to go out on horseback withFaye and Lieutenant Baldwin. 

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, October, 1871. 

WHEN a very small girl, I was told many wonderful tales about a grandIndian chief called Red Jacket, by my great-grandmother, who, you willremember, saw him a number of times when she, also, was a small girl. And since then--almost all my life--I have wanted to see with my veryown eyes an Indian--a real noble red man--dressed in beautiful skinsembroidered with beads, and on his head long, waving feathers. 

Well, I have seen an Indian--a number of Indians--but they were not RedJackets, neither were they noble red men. They were simply, and only, painted, dirty, and nauseous-smelling savages! Mrs. Phillips says thatIndians are all alike--that when you have seen one you have seen all. And she must know, for she has lived on the frontier a long time, andhas seen many Indians of many tribes. 

We went to Las Animas yesterday, Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Cole, and I, to doa little shopping. There are several small stores in the half-Mexicanvillage, where curious little things from Mexico can often be found, if one does not mind poking about underneath the trash and dirt that iseverywhere. While we were in the largest of these shops, ten or twelveIndians dashed up to the door on their ponies, and four of them, slipping down, came in the store and passed on quickly to the counterfarthest back, where the ammunition is kept. As they came toward us intheir imperious way, never once looking to the right or to the left, they seemed like giants, and to increase in size and numbers with everystep. 

Their coming was so sudden we did not have a chance to get out of theirway, and it so happened that Mrs. Phillips and I were in their line ofmarch, and when the one in the lead got to us, we were pushed aside withsuch impatient force that we both fell over on the counter. The otherspassed on just the same, however, and if we had fallen to the floor, Ipresume they would have stepped over us, and otherwise been oblivious toour existence. This was my introduction to an Indian--the noble red man!

As soon as they got to the counter they demanded powder, balls, andpercussion caps, and as these things were given them, they were stuffeddown their muzzle-loading rifles, and what could not be rammed down thebarrels was put in greasy skin bags and hidden under their blankets. Isaw one test the sharp edge of a long, wicked-looking knife, and thenit, also, disappeared under his blanket. All this time the other Indianswere on their ponies in front, watching every move that was being madearound them. 

There was only the one small door to the little adobe shop, and intothis an Indian had ridden his piebald pony; its forefeet were up a stepon the sill and its head and shoulders were in the room, which made itquite impossible for us three frightened women to run out in the street. So we got back of a counter, and, as Mrs. Phillips expressed it, "midwaybetween the devil and the deep sea. " There certainly could be no mistakeabout the "devil" side of it!

It was an awful situation to be in, and one to terrify anybody. We wereactually prisoners--penned in with all those savages, who were evidentlyin an ugly mood, with quantities of ammunition within their reach, andonly two white men to protect us. Even the few small windows had ironbars across. They could have killed every one of us, and ridden far awaybefore anyone in the sleepy town found it out. 

Well, when those inside had been given, or had helped themselves to, whatever they wanted, out they all marched again, quickly and silently, just as they had come in. They instantly mounted their ponies, and allrode down the street and out of sight at race speed, some leaning so farover on their little beasts that one could hardly see the Indian at all. The pony that was ridden into the store door was without a bridle, andwas guided by a long strip of buffalo skin which was fastened around hislower jaw by a slipknot. It is amazing to see how tractable the Indianscan make their ponies with only that one rein. 

The storekeeper told us that those Indians were Utes, and were greatlyexcited because they had just heard there was a small party of Cheyennesdown the river two or three miles. The Utes and Cheyennes are bitterenemies. He said that the Utes were very cross--ready for the blood ofIndian or white man--therefore he had permitted them to do about as theypleased while in the store, particularly as we were there, and hesaw that we were frightened. That young man did not know that his ownswarthy face was a greenish white all the time those Indians were in thestore! Not one penny did they pay for the things they carried off. Onlytwo years ago the entire Ute nation was on the warpath, killing everywhite person they came across, and one must have much faith in Indiansto believe that their "change of heart" has been so complete that theseUtes have learned to love the white man in so short a time. 

No! There was hatred in their eyes as they approached us in that store, and there was restrained murder in the hand that pushed Mrs. Phillipsand me over. They were all hideous--with streaks of red or green painton their faces that made them look like fiends. Their hair was ropedwith strips of bright-colored stuff, and hung down on each side of theirshoulders in front, and on the crown of each black head was a small, tightly plaited lock, ornamented at the top with a feather, a piece oftin, or something fantastic. These were their scalp locks. They woreblankets over dirty old shirts, and of course had on long, trouserlikeleggings of skin and moccasins. They were not tall, but rather short andstocky. The odor of those skins, and of the Indians themselves, in thatstuffy little shop, I expect to smell the rest of my life!

We heard this morning that those very savages rode out on the plains ina roundabout way, so as to get in advance of the Cheyennes, and then hadhidden themselves on the top of a bluff overlooking the trail they knewthe Cheyennes to be following, and had fired upon them as they passedbelow, killing two and wounding a number of others. You can see howtreacherous these Indians are, and how very far from noble is theirmethod of warfare! They are so disappointing, too--so wholly unlikeCooper's red men. 

We were glad enough to get in the ambulance and start on our way to thepost, but alas! our troubles were not over. The mules must have feltthe excitement in the air, for as soon as their heads were turned towardhome they proceeded to run away with us. We had the four little mulesthat are the special pets of the quartermaster, and are known throughoutthe garrison as the "shaved-tails, " because the hair on their tails iskept closely cut down to the very tips, where it is left in a squarebrush of three or four inches. They are perfectly matched--coal-blackall over, except their little noses, and are quite small. They are fullof mischief, and full of wisdom, too, even for government mules, andwhen one says, "Let's take a sprint, " the others always agree--aboutthat there is never the slightest hesitation. 

Therefore, when we first heard the scraping of the brake, and saw thatthe driver was pulling and sawing at the tough mouths with all hisstrength, no one was surprised, but we said that we wished they hadwaited until after we had crossed the Arkansas River. But we got overthe narrow bridge without meeting more than one man, who climbed overthe railing and seemed less anxious to meet us than we were to meet him. As soon as we got on the road again, those mules, with preliminary kicksand shakes of their big heads, began to demonstrate how fast theycould go. We had the best driver at the post, and the road was good andwithout sharp turns, but the ambulance was high and swayed, and the pacewas too fast for comfort. 

The little mules ran and ran, and we held ourselves on our seats thebest we could, expecting to be tipped over any minute. When we reachedthe post they made a wonderful turn and took us safely to the governmentcorral, where they stopped, just when they got ready. One leader lookedaround at us and commenced to bray, but the driver was in no mood forsuch insolence, and jerked the poor thing almost down. 

Three tired, disheveled women walked from the corral to their homes; andvery glad one of them was to get home, too! Hereafter I shall confinemyself to horseback riding--for, even if John is frisky at times, Iprefer to take my chances with the one horse, to four little long-earedgovernment mules! But I have learned to ride very well, and have asecure seat now. My teachers, Faye and Lieutenant Baldwin, have beenmost exacting, but that I wanted. Of course I ride the army way, tightin the saddle, which is more difficult to learn. Any attempt to "rise"when on a trot is ridiculed at once here, and it does look absurd afterseeing the splendid and graceful riding of the officers. I am learningto jump the cavalry hurdles and ditches, too. I must confess, however, that taking a ditch the first time was more exciting than enjoyable. John seemed to like it better than I did. 

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, November, 1871. 

IN many of my letters I have written about learning to ride and toshoot, and have told you, also, of having followed the greyhounds aftercoyotes and rabbits with Faye and Lieutenant Baldwin. These hunts exactthe very best of riding and a fast horse, for coyotes are very swift, and so are jack-rabbits, too, and one look at a greyhound will tellanyone that he can run--and about twice as fast as the big-earedfoxhounds in the East. But I started to write you about something quitedifferent from all this--to tell you of a really grand hunt I have beenon--a splendid chase after buffalo!

A week or so ago it was decided that a party of enlisted men shouldbe sent out to get buffalo meat for Thanksgiving dinner foreverybody--officers and enlisted men--and that Lieutenant Baldwin, whois an experienced hunter, should command the detail. You can imagine howproud and delighted I was when asked to go with them. Lieutenant Baldwinsaying that the hunt would be worth seeing, and well repay one for thefatigue of the hard ride. 

So, one morning after an early breakfast, the horses were led up fromthe stables, each one having on a strong halter, and a coiled picketrope with an iron pin fastened to the saddle. These were carried so thatif it should be found necessary to secure the horses on the plains, theycould be picketed out. The bachelors' set of quarters is next to ours, so we all got ready together, and I must say that the deliberate wayin which each girth was examined, bridles fixed, rifles fastened tosaddles, and other things done, was most exasperating. But we finallystarted, about seven o'clock, Lieutenant Baldwin and I taking the lead, and Faye and Lieutenant Alden following. 

The day was very cold, with a strong wind blowing, so I wore one ofFaye's citizen caps, with tabs tied down over my ears, and a large silkhandkerchief around my neck, all of which did not improve my looksin the least, but it was quite in keeping with the dressing of theofficers, who had on buckskin shirts, with handkerchiefs, leggings, andmoccasins. Two large army wagons followed us, each drawn by four mules, and carrying several enlisted men. Mounted orderlies led extra horsesthat officers and men were to ride when they struck the herd. 

Well, we rode twelve miles without seeing one living thing, and thenwe came to a little adobe ranch where we dismounted to rest a while. Bythis time our feet and hands were almost frozen, and Faye suggested thatI should remain at the ranch until they returned; but that I refusedto do--to give up the hunt was not to be thought of, particularly asa ranchman had just told us that a small herd of buffalo had been seenthat very morning only two miles farther on. So, when the horses were alittle rested, we started, and, after riding a mile or more, we came toa small ravine, where we found one poor buffalo, too old and emaciatedto keep up with his companions, and who, therefore, had been abandonedby them, to die alone. He had eaten the grass as far as he could reach, and had turned around and around until the ground looked as though ithad been spaded. 

He got up on his old legs as we approached him, and tried to show fightby dropping his head and throwing his horns to the front, but a childcould have pushed him over. One of the officers tried to persuade me toshoot him, saying it would be a humane act, and at the same time giveme the prestige of having killed a buffalo! But the very thought ofpointing a pistol at anything so weak and utterly helpless was revoltingin the extreme. He was such an object of pity, too, left there all aloneto die of starvation, when perhaps at one time he may have been leaderof his herd. He was very tall, had a fine head, with an uncommonly longbeard, and showed every indication of having been a grand specimen ofhis kind. 

We left him undisturbed, but only a few minutes later we heard the sharpreport of a rifle, and at once suspected, what we learned to be afact the next day, that one of the men with the wagons had killed him. Possibly this was the most merciful thing to do, but to me that shotmeant murder. The pitiful bleary eyes of the helpless old beast havehaunted me ever since we saw him. 

We must have gone at least two miles farther before we saw the herd wewere looking for, making fifteen or sixteen miles altogether that we hadridden. The buffalo were grazing quietly along a meadow in between low, rolling hills. We immediately fell back a short distance and waited forthe wagons, and when they came up there was great activity, I assureyou. The officers' saddles were transferred to their hunters, and themen who were to join in the chase got their horses and rifles ready. Lieutenant Baldwin gave his instructions to everybody, and all startedoff, each one going in a different direction so as to form a cordon, Faye said, around the whole herd. Faye would not join in the hunt, butremained with me the entire day. He and I rode over the hill, stoppingwhen we got where we could command a good view of the valley and watchthe run. 

It seemed only a few minutes when we saw the buffalo start, going fromsome of the men, of course, who at once began to chase them. This keptthem running straight ahead, and, fortunately, in Lieutenant Baldwin'sdirection, who apparently was holding his horse in, waiting for themto come. We saw through our field glasses that as soon as they gotnear enough he made a quick dash for the herd, and cutting one out, hadturned it so it was headed straight for us. 

Now, being on a buffalo hunt a safe distance off, was one thing, but tohave one of those huge animals come thundering along like a steamengine directly upon you, was quite another. I was on one of LieutenantBaldwin's horses, too, and I felt that there might be danger of hisbolting to his companion, Tom, when he saw him dashing by, and as I wasnot anxious to join in a buffalo chase just at that time, I begged Fayeto go with me farther up the hill. But he would not go back one step, assuring me that my horse was a trained hunter and accustomed to suchsights. 

Lieutenant Baldwin gained steadily on the buffalo, and in a wonderfullyshort time both passed directly in front of us--within a hundred feet, Faye said. Lieutenant Baldwin was close upon him then, his horse lookingvery small and slender by the side of the grand animal that was takingeasy, swinging strides, apparently without effort and without speed, histongue lolling at one side. But we could see that the pace was reallyterrific--that Lieutenant Baldwin was freely using the spur, and thathis swift thoroughbred was stretched out like a greyhound, strainingevery muscle in his effort to keep up. He was riding close to thebuffalo on his left, with revolver in his right hand, and I wondered whyhe did not shoot, but Faye said it would be useless to fire then--thatLieutenant Baldwin must get up nearer the shoulder, as a buffalo isvulnerable only in certain parts of his body, and that a hunter ofexperience like Lieutenant Baldwin would never think of shooting unlesshe could aim at heart or lungs. 

My horse behaved very well--just whirling around a few times--but Fayewas kept busy a minute or two by his, for the poor horse was awfullyfrightened, and lunged and reared and snorted; but I knew that he couldnot unseat Faye, so I rather enjoyed it, for you know I had wanted to goback a little!

Lieutenant Baldwin and the buffalo were soon far away, and when ourhorses had quieted down we recalled that shots had been fired in anotherdirection, and looking about, we saw a pathetic sight. LieutenantAlden was on his horse, and facing him was an immense buffalo, standingperfectly still with chin drawn in and horns to the front, ready forbattle. It was plain to be seen that the poor horse was not enjoyingthe meeting, for every now and then he would try to back away, or givea jump sideways. The buffalo was wounded and unable to run, but he couldstill turn around fast enough to keep his head toward the horse, andthis he did every time Lieutenant Alden tried to get an aim at his side. 

There was no possibility of his killing him without assistance, andof course the poor beast could not be abandoned in such a helplesscondition, so Faye decided to go over and worry him, while LieutenantAlden got in the fatal shot. As soon as Faye got there I put my fingersover my ears so that I would not hear the report of the pistol. Aftera while I looked across, and there was the buffalo still standing, andboth Faye and Lieutenant Alden were beckoning for me to come to them. Atfirst I could not understand what they wanted, and I started to go over, but it finally dawned upon me that they were actually waiting for me tocome and kill that buffalo! I saw no glory in shooting a wounded animal, so I turned my horse back again, but had not gone far before I heard thepistol shot. 

Then I rode over to see the huge animal, and found Faye and LieutenantAlden in a state of great excitement. They said he was a magnificentspecimen--unusually large, and very black--what they call a blueskin--with a splendid head and beard. I had been exposed to a bitterlycold wind, without the warming exercise of riding, for over an hour, andmy hands were so cold and stiff that I could scarcely hold the reins, so they jumped me up on the shoulders of the warm body, and I buriedmy hands in the long fur on his neck. He fell on his wounded side, and looked precisely as though he was asleep---so much so that Ihalf expected him to spring up and resent the indignity he was beingsubjected to. 

Very soon after that Faye and I came on home, reaching the post aboutseven o'clock. We had been in our saddles most of the time for twelvehours, on a cold day, and were tired and stiff, and when Faye triedto assist me from my horse I fell to the ground in a heap. But I gotthrough the day very well, considering the very short time I havebeen riding--that is, really riding. The hunt was a grand sight, andsomething that probably I will never have a chance of seeing again--and, to be honest, I do not want to see another, for the sight of one ofthose splendid animals running for his life is not a pleasant one. 

The rest of the party did not come in until several hours later;but they brought the meat and skins of four buffalo, and the head ofLieutenant Alden's, which he will send East to be mounted. The skinhe intends to take to an Indian camp, to be tanned by the squaws. Lieutenant Baldwin followed his buffalo until he got in the position hewanted, and then killed him with one shot. Faye says that only a coolhead and experience could have done that. Much depends upon the horse, too, for so many horses are afraid of a buffalo, and lunge sideways justat the critical moment. 

Several experienced hunters tell marvelous tales of how they havestood within a few yards of a buffalo and fired shot after shot from aSpringfield rifle, straight at his head, the balls producing no effectwhatever, except, perhaps, a toss of the head and the flying out of atuft of hair. Every time the ball would glance off from the thick skull. The wonderful mat of curly hair must break the force some, too. Thismat, or cushion, in between the horns of the buffalo Lieutenant Aldenkilled, was so thick and tangled that I could not begin to get myfingers in it. 

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, December, 1871. 

OUR first Christmas on the frontier was ever so pleasant, but itcertainly was most vexatious not to have that box from home. And Iexpect that it has been at Kit Carson for days, waiting to be broughtdown. We had quite a little Christmas without it, however, for a numberof things came from the girls, and several women of the garrison sentpretty little gifts to me. It was so kind and thoughtful of themto remember that I might be a bit homesick just now. All the littlepresents were spread out on a table, and in a way to make them presentas fine an appearance as possible. Then I printed in large letters, on apiece of cardboard, "One box--contents unknown!" and stood it up on theback of the table. I did this to let everyone know that we had not beenforgotten by home people. My beautiful new saddle was brought in, also, for although I had had it several weeks, it was really one of Faye'sChristmas gifts to me. 

They have such a charming custom in the Army of going along the lineChristmas morning and giving each other pleasant greetings and lookingat the pretty things everyone has received. This is a rare treat outhere, where we are so far from shops and beautiful Christmas displays. We all went to the bachelors' quarters, almost everyone taking over somelittle remembrance--homemade candy, cakes, or something of that sort. 

I had a splendid cake to send over that morning, and I will tell youjust what happened to it. At home we always had a large fruit cake madefor the holidays, long in advance, and I thought I would have one thisyear as near like it as possible. But it seemed that the only way to getit was to make it. So, about four weeks ago, I commenced. It was quitean undertaking for me, as I had never done anything of the kind, andperhaps I did not go about it the easiest way, but I knew how it shouldlook when done, and of course I knew precisely how it should taste. Eliza makes delicious every-day cake, but was no assistance whateverwith the fruit cake, beyond encouraging me with the assurance that itwould not matter in the least if it should be heavy. 

Well, for two long, tiresome days I worked over that cake, preparingwith my own fingers every bit of the fruit, which I consider was a finetest of perseverance and staying qualities. After the ingredients wereall mixed together there seemed to be enough for a whole regiment, so wedecided to make two cakes of it. They looked lovely when baked, and justright, and smelled so good, too! I wrapped them in nice white paper thathad been wet with brandy, and put them carefully away--one in a stonejar, the other in a tin box--and felt that I had done a remarkably finebit of housekeeping. The bachelors have been exceedingly kind to me, and I rejoiced at having a nice cake to send them Christmas morning. Butalas! I forgot that the little house was fragrant with the odor of spiceand fruit, and that there was a man about who was ever on the lookoutfor good things to eat. It is a shame that those cadets at West Pointare so starved. They seem to be simply famished for months after theygraduate. 

It so happened that there was choir practice that very evening, and thatI was at the chapel an hour or so. When I returned, I found the threebachelors sitting around the open fire, smoking, and looking verycomfortable indeed. Before I was quite in the room they all stood upand began to praise the cake. I think Faye was the first to mentionit, saying it was a "great success"; then the others said "perfectlydelicious, " and so on, but at the same time assuring me that a largepiece had been left for me. 

For one minute I stood still, not in the least grasping their meaning;but finally I suspected mischief, they all looked so serenely contented. So I passed on to the dining room, and there, on the table, was one ofthe precious cakes---at least what was left of it, the very small piecethat had been so generously saved for me. And there were plates withcrumbs, and napkins, that told the rest of the sad tale--and there waswine and empty glasses, also. Oh, yes! Their early Christmas had beena fine one. There was nothing for me to say or do--at least not justthen--so I went back to the little living-room and forced myself tobe halfway pleasant to the four men who were there, each one lookingprecisely like the cat after it had eaten the canary! The cake wasscarcely cold, and must have been horribly sticky--and I rememberwondering, as I sat there, which one would need the doctor first, andwhat the doctor would do if they were all seized with cramps at the sametime. But they were not ill--not in the least--which proved that thecake was well baked. If they had discovered the other one, however, there is no telling what might have happened. 

At half after ten yesterday the chaplain held service, and the littlechapel was crowded--so many of the enlisted men were present. We sangour Christmas music, and received many compliments. Our little choiris really very good. Both General Phillips and Major Pierce have finevoices. One of the infantry sergeants plays the organ now, for it wasquite too hard for me to sing and work those old pedals. Once I forgotthem entirely, and everybody smiled--even the chaplain!

From the chapel we--that is, the company officers and their wives--wentto the company barracks to see the men's dinner tables. When we enteredthe dining hall we found the entire company standing in two lines, onedown each side, every man in his best inspection uniform, and everybutton shining. With eyes to the front and hands down their sides theylooked absurdly like wax figures waiting to be "wound up, " and I didwant so much to tell the little son of General Phillips to pinch one andmake him jump. He would have done it, too, and then put all the blameupon me, without loss of time. 

The first sergeant came to meet us, and went around with us. Therewere three long tables, fairly groaning with things upon them: buffalo, antelope, boiled ham, several kinds of vegetables, pies, cakes, quantities of pickles, dried "apple-duff, " and coffee, and in the centerof each table, high up, was a huge cake thickly covered with icing. These were the cakes that Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Barker, and I had sentover that morning. It is the custom in the regiment for the wives ofthe officers every Christmas to send the enlisted men of their husbands'companies large plum cakes, rich with fruit and sugar. Eliza made thecake I sent over, a fact I made known from its very beginning, to keepit from being devoured by those it was not intended for. 

The hall was very prettily decorated with flags and accoutrements, but one missed the greens. There are no evergreen trees here, onlycottonwood. Before coming out, General Phillips said a few pleasantwords to the men, wishing them a "Merry Christmas" for all of us. Judging from the laughing and shuffling of feet as soon as we gotoutside, the men were glad to be allowed to relax once more. 

At six o'clock Faye and I, Lieutenant Baldwin, and Lieutenant Aldendined with Doctor and Mrs. Wilder. It was a beautiful little dinner, very delicious, and served in the daintiest manner possible. But outhere one is never quite sure of what one is eating, for sometimesthe most tempting dishes are made of almost nothing. At holiday time, however, it seems that the post trader sends to St. Louis for turkeys, celery, canned oysters, and other things. We have no fresh vegetableshere, except potatoes, and have to depend upon canned stores in thecommissary for a variety, and our meat consists entirely of beef, exceptnow and then, when we may have a treat to buffalo or antelope. 

The commanding officer gave a dancing party Friday evening that was mostenjoyable. He is a widower, you know. His house is large, and the roomsof good size, so that dancing was comfortable. The music consisted ofone violin with accordion accompaniment. This would seem absurd in theEast, but I can assure you that one accordion, when played well by aGerman, is an orchestra in itself. And Doos plays very well. The girlsEast may have better music to dance by, and polished waxed floors toslip down upon, but they cannot have the excellent partners one has atan army post, and I choose the partners!

The officers are excellent dancers--every one of them--and when you aregliding around, your chin, or perhaps your nose, getting a scratch nowand then from a gorgeous gold epaulet, you feel as light as a feather, and imagine yourself with a fairy prince. Of course the officers were infull-dress uniform Friday night, so I know just what I am talking about, scratches and all. Every woman appeared in her finest gown. I wore mynile-green silk, which I am afraid showed off my splendid coat of tanonly too well. 

The party was given for Doctor and Mrs. Anderson, who are guests ofGeneral Bourke for a few days. They are en route to Fort Union, New Mexico. Mrs. Anderson was very handsome in an elegant gown ofLondon-smoke silk. I am to assist Mrs. Phillips in receiving New Year'sday, and shall wear my pearl-colored Irish poplin. We are going out nowfor a little ride. 

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, January, 1872. 

WHEN we came over on the stage from Kit Carson last fall, I sat on topwith the driver, who told me of many terrible experiences he had passedthrough during the years he had been driving a stage on the plains, andsome of the most thrilling were of sand storms, when he had, with greatdifficulty, saved the stage and perhaps his own life. There have beenever so many storms, since we have been here, that covered everything inthe houses with dust and sand, but nothing at all like those the driverdescribed. But yesterday one came--a terrific storm--and it so happenedthat I was caught out in the fiercest part of it. 

As Faye was officer of the day, he could not leave the garrison, soI rode with Lieutenant Baldwin and Lieutenant Alden. The day wasglorious--sunny, and quite warm--one of Colorado's very best, without acloud to be seen in any direction. We went up the river to the mouth ofa pretty little stream commonly called "The Picket Wire, " but the realname of which is La Purgatoire. It is about five miles from the postand makes a nice objective point for a short ride, for the clear watergurgling over the stones, and the trees and bushes along its banks, arealways attractive in this treeless country. 

The canter up was brisk, and after giving our horses the drink from therunning stream they always beg for, we started back on the road to thepost in unusually fine spirits. Almost immediately, however, LieutenantBaldwin said, "I do not like the looks of that cloud over there!" Weglanced back in the direction he pointed, and seeing only a streakof dark gray low on the horizon, Lieutenant Alden and I paid no moreattention to it. But Lieutenant Baldwin was very silent, and everlooking back at the queer gray cloud. Once I looked at it, too, and wasamazed at the wonderfully fast way it had spread out, but just then Johnshied at something, and in managing the horse I forgot the cloud. 

When about two miles from the post, Lieutenant Baldwin, who had fallenback a little, called to us, "Put your horses to their best pace--a sandstorm is coming!" Then we knew there was a possibility of muchdanger, for Lieutenant Baldwin is known to be a keen observer, and ourconfidence in his judgment was great, so, without once looking back tosee what was coming after us, Lieutenant Alden and I started our horseson a full run. 

Well, that cloud increased in size with a rapidity you could neverimagine, and soon the sun was obscured as if by an eclipse. It becamedarker and darker, and by the time we got opposite the post trader'sthere could be heard a loud, continuous roar, resembling that of a heavywaterfall. 

Just then Lieutenant Baldwin grasped my bridle rein on the right andtold Lieutenant Alden to ride close on my left, which was done not asecond too soon, for as we reached the officers' line the storm struckus, and with such force that I was almost swept from my saddle. The windwas terrific and going at hurricane speed, and the air so thick withsand and dirt we could not see the ears of our own horses. The worldseemed to have narrowed to a space that was appalling! You will thinkthat this could never have been--that I was made blind by terror--but Ican assure you that the absolute truth is being written. 

Lieutenant Baldwin's voice sounded strange and far, far away when hecalled to me, "Sit tight in your saddle and do not jump!" And thenagain he fairly yelled, "We must stay together--and keep the horses fromstampeding to the stables!" He was afraid they would break away anddash us against the iron supports to the flagstaff in the center of theparade ground. How he could say one word, or even open his mouth, I donot understand, for the air was thick with gritty dirt. The horses werefrantic, of course, whirling around each other, rearing and pulling, intheir efforts to get free. 

We must have stayed in about the same place twenty minutes or longer, when, just for one instant, there was a lull in the storm, and I caughta glimpse of the white pickets of a fence! Without stopping to think ofhorse's hoofs and, alas! without calling one word to the two officerswho were doing everything possible to protect me, I shut my eyes tight, freed my foot from the stirrup, and, sliding down from my horse, startedfor those pickets! How I missed Lieutenant Alden's horse, and how I gotto that fence, I do not know. The force of the wind was terrific, andbesides, I was obliged to cross the little acequia. But I did get overthe fifteen or sixteen feet of ground without falling, and oh, the joyof getting my arms around those pickets!

The storm continued for some time; but finally the atmosphere beganto clear, and I could see objects around me. And then out of the dustloomed up Lieutenant Baldwin. He was about halfway down the line andriding close to the fence, evidently looking for me. When he came up, leading my horse, his face was black with more than dirt. He reminded meof having told me positively not to jump from my horse, and asked ifI realized that I might have been knocked down and killed by the crazyanimals. Of course I had perceived all that as soon as I reached safety, but I could not admit my mistake at that time without breaking down andmaking a scene. I was nervous and exhausted, and in no condition to bescolded by anyone, so I said: "If you were not an old bachelor you wouldhave known better than to have told a woman not to do a thing--you wouldhave known that, in all probability, that would be the very thing shewould do first!" That mollified him a little, but we did not laugh--lifehad just been too serious for that. 

The chaplain had joined us, and so had Lieutenant Alden. The fence I hadrun to was the chaplain's, and when the good man saw us he came out andassisted me to his house, where I received the kindest care from Mrs. Lawton. I knew that Faye would be greatly worried about me, so as soonas I had rested a little--enough to walk--and had got some of the dustout of my eyes, the chaplain and I hurried down to our house to let himknow that I was safe. 

At every house along the line the heavy shutters were closed, and notone living thing was to be seen, and the post looked as though it mighthave been long abandoned. There was a peculiar light, too, that made themost familiar objects seem strange. Yes, we saw a squad of enlisted menacross the parade ground, trying with immense ropes to get back in placethe heavy roof of the long commissary building which had been partlyblown off. 

We met Faye at our gate, just starting out to look for us. He said thatwhen the storm first came up he was frightened about me, but when thebroad adobe house began to rock he came to the conclusion that I wasabout as safe out on the plains as I would be in a house, particularlyas I was on a good horse, and with two splendid horsemen who would takethe very best care of me. My plait of hair was one mass of dirt and wascut and torn, and is still in a deplorable condition, and my face looksas though I had just recovered from smallpox. As it was Monday, thewashing of almost every family was out on lines, about every article ofwhich has gone to regions unknown. The few pieces that were Caught bythe high fences were torn to shreds. 

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, January, 1872. 

OUR little party was a grand success, but I am still wondering how itcame about that Mrs. Barker and I gave it together, for, although weare all in the same company and next-door neighbors, we have seen verylittle of each other. She is very quiet, and seldom goes out, even fora walk. It was an easy matter to arrange things so the two houses could, in a way, be connected, as they are under the same long roof, and theporches divided by a railing only, that was removed for the one evening. The dancing was in our house, and the supper was served at the Barkers'. And that supper was a marvel of culinary art, I assure you, even if itwas a fraud in one or two things, We were complimented quite graciouslyby some of the older housekeepers, who pride themselves upon knowing howto make more delicious little dishes out of nothing than anyone else. But this time it was North and South combined, for you will rememberthat Mrs. Barker is from Virginia. 

The chicken salad--and it was delicious--was made of tender veal, butthe celery in it was the genuine article, for we sent to Kansas City forthat and a few other things. The turkey galantine was perfect, and theproduct of a resourceful brain from the North, and was composed almostentirely of wild goose! There was no April fool about the delicateMaryland biscuits, however, and other nice things that were set forth. We fixed up cozily the back part of our hall with comfortable chairs andcushions, and there punch was served during the evening. Major Barkerand Faye made the punch. The orchestra might have been better, but thetwo violins and the accordion gave us music that was inspiring, and gaveus noise, too, and then Doos, who played the accordion, kept us merry bythe ever-pounding down of one government-shod foot. 

Everyone in the garrison came--even the chaplain was here during thesupper. The officers Were in full-dress uniform, and the only man inplain evening dress was Mr. Dunn, the post trader, and in comparison tothe gay uniforms of the officers he did look so sleek, from his shinyblack hair down to the toes of his shiny black pumps! Mrs. Barker andI received, of course, and she was very pretty in a pink silk gownentirely covered with white net, that was caught up at many placesby artificial pink roses. The color was most becoming, and made verypronounced the rich tint of her dark skin and her big black eyes. 

Well, we danced before supper and we danced after supper, and when wewere beginning to feel just a wee bit tired, there suddenly appeared inour midst a colored woman--a real old-time black mammy--in a dressof faded, old-fashioned plaids, with kerchief, white apron, and ared-and-yellow turban tied around her head. We were dancing at the timeshe came in, but everyone stopped at once, completely lost in amazement, and she had the floor to herself. This was what she wanted, and sheimmediately commenced to dance wildly and furiously, as though she waspossessed, rolling her big eyes and laughing to show the white teeth. Gradually she quieted down to a smooth, rhythmic motion, slowly swayingfrom side to side, sometimes whirling around, but with feet always flaton the floor, often turning on her heels. All the time her arms wereextended and her fingers snapping, and snapping also were theblack eyes. She was the personification of grace, but the dance wasweird--made the more so by the setting of bright evening dresses andglittering uniforms. One never sees a dance of this sort these days, even in the South, any more than one sees the bright-colored turban. Both have passed with the old-time darky. 

Of course we recognized Mrs. Barker, more because there was no one elsein our small community who could personify a darky so perfectly, thanbecause there was any resemblance to her in looks or gesture. Themake-up was artistic, and how she managed the quick transformationfrom ball dress to that of the plantation, with all its black paint androuge, Mrs. Barker alone knows, and where on this earth she got thatdress and turban, she alone knows. But I imagine she sent to Virginiafor the whole costume. At all events, it was very bright in her to thinkof this unusual divertissement for our guests when dancing was beginningto lag a little. The dance she must have learned from a mammy when achild. I forgot to say that during the time she was dancing our fineorchestra played old Southern melodies. And all this was arranged anddone by the quietest woman in the garrison!

Our house was upset from one end to the other to make room for thedancing, but the putting of things in order again did not take long, asthe house has so very little in it. Still, I always feel rebellious whenanything comes up to interfere with my rides, no matter how pleasant itmay be. There have been a great many antelope near the post of late, and we have been on ever so many hunts for them. The greyhounds have notbeen with us, however, for following the hounds when chasing those fleetanimals not only requires the fastest kind of a horse and very goodriding, but is exceedingly dangerous to both horse and rider because ofthe many prairie-dog holes, which are terrible death traps. And besides, the dogs invariably get their feet full of cactus needles, which causemuch suffering for days. 

So we have been flagging the antelope, that is, taking a shamefuladvantage of their wonderful curiosity, and enticing them within riflerange. On these hunts I usually hold the horses of the three officersand my own, and so far they have not given me much trouble, for each oneis a troop-trained animal. 

The antelope are shy and wary little creatures, and possess an abnormalsense of smell that makes it absolutely necessary for hunters to movecautiously to leeward the instant they discover them. It is always aneasy matter to find a little hill that will partly screen them--thecountry is so rolling--as they creep and crawl to position, ever mindfulof the dreadful cactus. When they reach the highest point the flagis put up, and this is usually made on the spot, of a red silkhandkerchief, one corner run through the rammer of a Springfield rifle. Then everyone lies down flat on the ground, resting on his elbows, withrifle in position for firing. 

Antelope always graze against the wind, and even a novice can tell whenthey discover the flag, for they instantly stop feeding, and the entireband will whirl around to face it, with big round ears standing straightup, and in this way they will remain a second or two, constantlysniffing the air. Failing to discover anything dangerous, they will takea few steps forward, perhaps run around a little, giving quick tossingsof the head, and sniffing with almost every breath, but whatever theydo the stop is always in the same position--facing the flag, the strangeobject they cannot understand. Often they will approach very slowly, making frequent halts after little runs, and give many tossings of thehead as if they were actually coquetting with death itself! Waiting forthem to come within range of the rifle requires great patience, for theapproach is always more or less slow, and frequently just as they are atthe right distance and the finger is on the trigger, off the wholeband will streak, looking like horizontal bars of brown and white! I amalways so glad when they do this, for it seems so wicked to kill suchgraceful creatures. It is very seldom that I watch the approach, butwhen I do happen to see them come up, the temptation to do something tofrighten them away from those murderous guns is almost irresistible. 

But never once are they killed for mere pleasure! Their meat is tenderand most delicious after one has learned to like the "gamey" flavor. And a change in meat we certainly do need here, for unless we can havebuffalo or antelope now and then, it is beef every day in the month--notonly one month, but every month. 

The prairie-dog holes are great obstacles to following hounds on theplains, for while running so fast it is impossible for a horse to seethe holes in time to avoid them, and if a foot slips down in one itmeans a broken leg for the horse and a hard throw for the rider, andperhaps broken bones also. Following these English greyhounds--whichhave such wonderful speed and keenness of sight--after big game on vastplains, is very different from running after the slow hounds and foxesin the East, and requires a very much faster horse and quite superiorriding. One has to learn to ride a horse--to get a perfect balance thatmakes it a matter of indifference which-way the horse may jump, at anyspeed--in fact, one must become a part of one's mount before these huntscan be attempted. 

Chasing wolves and rabbits is not as dangerous, for they cannot beginto run as fast as antelope. And it is great fun to chase the bigjack-rabbits. They know their own speed perfectly and have greatconfidence in it. When the hounds start one he will give one or twojumps high up in the air to take a look at things, and then he commencesto run with great bounds, with his enormously long ears straight up likesails on a boat, and almost challenges the dogs to follow. But thepoor hunted thing soon finds out that he must do better than that ifhe wishes to keep ahead, so down go the ears, flat along his back, andstretching himself out very straight, goes his very fastest, and thenthe real chase is on. 

But Mr. Jack-Rabbit is cunning, and when he sees that the long-leggeddogs are steadily gaining upon him and getting closer with every jump, he will invariably make a quick turn and run back on his own tracks, often going right underneath the fast-running dogs that cannot stopthemselves, and can only give vicious snaps as they jump over him. Theirstride--often fifteen and twenty feet--covers so much more groundthan the rabbit's, it is impossible for them to make as quick turns, therefore it is generally the slow dog of the pack that catches therabbit. And frequently a wise old rabbit will make many turns andfinally reach a hole in safety. 

The tail of a greyhound is his rudder and his brake, and the sight ismost laughable when a whole pack of them are trying to stop, each tailwhirling around like a Dutch windmill. Sometimes, in their franticefforts to stop quickly, they will turn complete somersaults and rollover in a cloud of dust and dirt. But give up they never do, and onceon their feet they start back after that rabbit with whines ofdisappointment and rage. Many, many times, also, I have heard the dogshowl and whine from the pain caused by the cactus spines in their feet, but not once have I ever seen any one of them lag in the chase. 

But the pack here is a notoriously fine one. The leader. Magic, is asplendid dog, dark brindle in color, very swift and very plucky, also most intelligent. He is a sly rascal, too. He loves to sleepon Lieutenant Baldwin's bed above all things, and he sneaks up on itwhenever he can, but the instant he hears Lieutenant Baldwin's step onthe walk outside, down he jumps, and stretching himself out full lengthin front of the fire, he shuts his eyes tight, pretends to be fastasleep, and the personification of an innocent, well-behaved dog! ButLieutenant Baldwin knows his tricks now, and sometimes, going to thebed, he can feel the warmth from his body that is still there, and if hesays, "Magic, you old villain, " Magic will wag his tail a little, whichin dog language means, "You are pretty smart, but I'm smart, too!"

With all this outdoor exercise, one can readily perceive that thedays are not long and tiresome. Of course there are a few who yawnand complain of the monotony of frontier life, but these are thestay-at-homes who sit by their own fires day after day and let cobwebsgather in brain and lungs. And these, too, are the ones who have time todiscover so many faults in others, and become our garrison gossips! Ifthey would take brisk rides on spirited horses in this wonderful air, and learn to shoot all sorts of guns in all sorts of positions, they would soon discover that a frontier post can furnish plenty ofexcitement. At least, I have found that it can. 

Faye was very anxious for me to become a good shot, considering itmost essential in this Indian country, and to please him I commencedpracticing soon after we got here. It was hard work at first, and I hadmany a bad headache from the noise of the guns. It was all done in asystematic way, too, as though I was a soldier at target practice. Theytaught me to use a pistol in various positions while standing; thenI learned to use it from the saddle. After that a little four-inchbull's-eye was often tacked to a tree seventy-five paces away, and Iwas given a Spencer carbine to shoot (a short magazine rifle used by thecavalry), and many a time I have fired three rounds, twenty-one shots inall, at the bull's-eye, which I was expected to hit every time, too. 

Well, I obligingly furnished amusement for Faye and Lieutenant Baldwinuntil they asked me to fire a heavy Springfield rifle--an infantry gun. After one shot I politely refused to touch the thing again. The noisecame near making me deaf for life; the big thing rudely "kicked" me overon my back, and the bullet--I expect that ball is still on its way toMars or perhaps the moon. This earth it certainly did not hit! Faye iswith the company almost every morning, but after luncheon we usuallygo out for two or three hours, and always come back refreshed by theexercise. And the little house looks more cozy, and the snapping of theblazing logs sounds more cheerful because of our having been away fromthem. 

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, April, 1872. 

SOME of the most dreadful things have occurred since I wrote you last, and this letter will make you unhappy, I know. To begin with, ordershave actually come from Department Headquarters at Leavenworth for twocompanies of infantry here--General Phillips' and Captain Giddings'--togo to Camp Supply! So that is settled, and we will probably leave thispost in about ten days, and during that time we are expected to sell, give away, smash up, or burn about everything we possess, for we havealready been told that very few things can be taken with us. I do notsee how we can possibly do with less than we have had since we camehere. 

Eliza announced at once that she could not be induced to go where thereare so many Indians--said she had seen enough of them while in NewMexico. I am more than sorry to lose her, but at the same time I cannothelp admiring her common sense. I would not go either if I could avoidit. 

You will remember that not long ago I said that Lieutenant Baldwin wasurging me to ride Tom, his splendid thoroughbred, as soon as he could bequieted down a little so I could control him. Well, I was to have riddenhim to-day for the first time! Yesterday morning Lieutenant Baldwin hadhim out for a long, hard run, but even after that the horse was nervouswhen he came in, and danced sideways along the officers' drive in hisusual graceful way. Just as they got opposite the chaplain's house, twobig St. Bernard dogs bounded over the fence and landed directly underthe horse, entangling themselves with his legs so completely that whenhe tried to jump away from them he was thrown down on his knees withgreat force, and Lieutenant Baldwin was pitched over the horse's headand along the ground several feet. 

He is a tall, muscular man and went down heavily, breaking three ribsand his collar bone on both sides! He is doing very well, and is ascomfortable to-day as can be expected, except that he is grievingpiteously over his horse, for the poor horse--beautiful Tom--is utterlyruined! Both knees have been sprung, and he is bandaged almost as muchas his master. 

The whole occurrence is most deplorable and distressing. It seems sodreadful that a strong man should be almost killed and a grand horsecompletely ruined by two clumsy, ill-mannered dogs. One belongs to thechaplain, too, who is expected to set a model example for the rest ofus. Many, many times during the winter I have ridden by the side of Tom, and had learned to love every one of his pretty ways, from the workingof his expressive ears to the graceful movement of his slender legs. Hewas a horse for anyone to be proud of, not only for his beauty but as ahunter, too, and he was Lieutenant Baldwin's delight and joy. 

It does seem as if everything horrible had come all at once. The orderwe have been expecting, of course, as so many rumors have reached usthat we were to go, but all the time there has been hidden away a littlehope that we might be left here another year. 

I shall take the greyhound puppy, of course. He is with Blue, hismother, at Captain Richardson's quarters, but he is brought over everyday for me to see. His coat is brindled, dark brown and black--just likeMagic's--and fine as the softest satin. One foot is white, and there isa little white tip to his tail, which, it seems, is considered a mark ofgreat beauty in a greyhound. We have named him Harold. 

Nothing has been done about packing yet, as the orders have just beenreceived. The carpenters in the company will not be permitted to do onething for us until the captain and first lieutenant have had made everybox and crate they want for the move. I am beginning to think that itmust be nice to be even a first lieutenant. But never mind, perhaps Fayewill get his captaincy in twenty years or so, and then it will be all"fair and square. "

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, May, 1872. 

EVERYTHING is packed or disposed of, and we are ready to start to-morrowon the long march to Camp Supply. Two large army wagons have beenallowed to each company for the officers' baggage, but as all threeofficers are present with the company Faye is in, and the captain hastaken one of the wagons for his own use, we can have just one half ofone of those wagons to take our household goods to a country where it isabsolutely impossible to purchase one thing! We have given away almostall of our furniture, and were glad that we had bought so little whenwe came here. Our trunks and several boxes are to be sent by freight toHays City at our own expense, and from there down to the post by wagon, and if we ever see them again I will be surprised, as Camp Supply isabout one hundred and fifty miles from the railroad. We are takingonly one barrel of china--just a few pieces we considered the mostnecessary--and this morning Faye discovered that the first lieutenanthad ordered that one barrel to be taken from the wagon to make more roomfor his own things. Faye ordered it to be put back at once, and says itwill stay there, too, and I fancy it will! Surely we are entitled to allof our one half of the wagon--second choice at that. 

I am to ride in an ambulance with Mrs. Phillips, her little son and hercook, Mrs. Barker and her small son. There will be seats for only four, as the middle seat has been taken out to make room for a comfortablerocking-chair that will be for Mrs. Phillips's exclusive use! The dearlittle greyhound puppy I have to leave here. Faye says I must not takehim with so many in the ambulance, as he would undoubtedly be in theway. But I am sure the puppy would not be as troublesome as one smallboy, and there will be two small boys with us. It would be quite badenough to be sent to such a terrible place as Camp Supply has beenrepresented to us, without having all this misery and mortificationadded, and all because Faye happens to be a second lieutenant!

I have cried and cried over all these things until I am simply hideous, but I have to go just the same, and I have made up my mind never againto make myself so wholly disagreeable about a move, no matter where wemay have to go. I happened to recall yesterday what grandmother said tome when saying good-by: "It is a dreadful thing not to become a womanwhen one ceases to be a girl!" I am no longer a girl, I suppose, so Imust try to be a woman, as there seems to be nothing in between. One canfind a little comfort, too, in the thought that there is no worse placepossible for us to be sent to, and when once there we can look forwardto better things sometime in the future. I do not mind the move as muchas the unpleasant experiences connected with it. 

But I shall miss the kind friends, the grand hunts and delightful rides, and shall long for dear old John, who has carried me safely so many, many miles. 

Lieutenant Baldwin is still ill and very depressed, and Doctor Wilder isbecoming anxious about him. It is so dreadful for such a powerful man ashe has been to be so really broken in pieces. He insists upon being upand around, which is bad, very bad, for the many broken bones. 

I will write whenever I find an opportunity. 

OLD FORT ZARAH, KANSAS, April, 1872. 

OUR camp to-night is near the ruins of a very old fort, and eversince we got here, the men have been hunting rattlesnakes that haveundoubtedly been holding possession of the tumble-down buildings, manysnake generations. Dozens and dozens have been killed, of all sizes, some of them being very large. The old quarters were evidently made ofsods and dirt, and must have been dreadful places to live in even whennew. 

I must tell you at once that I have the little greyhound. I simply tookmatters in my own hands and got him! We came only five miles our firstday out, and after the tents had been pitched that night and the variousdinners commenced, it was discovered that many little things had beenleft behind, so General Phillips decided to send an ambulance and twoor three men back to the post for them, and to get the mail at the sametime. It so happened that Burt, our own striker, was one of the mendetailed to go, and when I heard this I at once thought of the puppy Iwanted so much. I managed to see Burt before he started, and when askedif he could bring the little dog to me he answered so heartily, "ThatI can, mum, " I felt that the battle was half won, for I knew that ifI could once get the dog in camp he would take care of him, even if Icould not. 

Burt brought him and kept him in his tent that night, and the littlefellow seemed to know that he should be good, for Burt told me that hedid not whimper once, notwithstanding it was his first night from hismother and little companions. The next morning, when he was brought tome, Faye's face was funny, and after one look of astonishment at thepuppy he hurried out of the tent--so I could not see him laugh, I think. He is quite as pleased as I am, now, to have the dog, for he givesno trouble whatever. He is fed condensed milk, and I take care of himduring the day and Burt has him at night. He is certainly much betterbehaved in the ambulance than either of the small boys who step uponour feet, get into fierce fights, and keep up a racket generally. Themothers have been called upon to settle so many quarrels between theirsons, that the atmosphere in the ambulance has become quite frigid. 

The day we came from the post, while I was grieving for the littlegreyhound and many other things I had not been permitted to bring withme, and the rocking-chair was bruising my ankles, I felt that it was notdignified in me to submit to the treatment I was being subjected to, andI decided to rebel. Mrs. Barker and her small son had been riding on theback seat, and I felt that I was as much entitled to a seat here as theboy, nevertheless I had been sitting on the seat with Mrs. Phillips'sservant and riding backward. This was the only place that had been leftfor me at the post that morning. After thinking it all over I made up mymind to take the small boy's seat, but just where he would sit I did notknow. 

When I returned to the ambulance after the next rest--I was carefulto get there first--I sat down on the back seat and made myselfcomfortable, but I must admit that my heart was giving awful thumps, forMrs. Barker's sharp tongue and spitfire temper are well known. My headwas aching because of my having ridden backward, and I was really cross, and this Mrs. Barker may have noticed, for not one word did she saydirectly to me, but she said much to her son--much that I might haveresented had I felt inclined. The small boy sat on his mother's lap andexpressed his disapproval by giving me vicious kicks every few minutes. 

Not one word was said the next morning when I boldly carried the puppyto that seat. Mrs. Barker looked at the dog, then at me, with greatscorn, but she knew that if she said anything disagreeable Mrs. Phillipswould side with me, so she wisely kept still. I think that even Faye hascome to the conclusion that I might as well have the dog--who liesso quietly in my lap--now that he sees how I am sandwiched in withrocking-chairs, small boys, and servants. The men march fifty minutesand halt ten, each hour, and during every ten minutes' rest Harold and Itake a little run, and this makes him ready for a nap when we return tothe ambulance. From this place on I am to ride with Mrs. Cole, who hasher own ambulance. This will be most agreeable, and I am so delightedthat she should have thought of inviting me. 

Camping out is really very nice when the weather is pleasant, but thelong marches are tiresome for everybody. The ambulances and wagons aredriven directly back of the troops, consequently the mules can never gofaster than a slow walk, and sometimes the dust is enough to choke us. We have to keep together, for we are in an Indian country, of course. I feel sorry for the men, but they always march "rout" step and seem tohave a good time, for we often hear them laughing and joking with eachother. 

We are following the Arkansas River, and so far the scenery has beenmonotonous--just the same rolling plains day after day. Leaving ourfirst army home was distressing, and I doubt if other homes and otherfriends will ever be quite the same to me. Lieutenant Baldwin wasassisted to the porch by his faithful Mexican boy, so he could seeus start, and he looked white and pitifully helpless, with both armsbandaged tight to his sides. One of those dreadful dogs is in camp andgoing to Camp Supply with us, and is as frisky as though he had donesomething to be proud of. 

This cannot be posted until we reach Fort Dodge, but I intend to writeto you again while there, of course, if I have an opportunity. 

FORT DODGE, KANSAS, May, 1872. 

IT was nearly two o'clock yesterday when we arrived at this post, andwe go on again to-day about eleven. The length of all marches has to beregulated by water and wood, and as the first stream on the road toCamp Supply is at Bluff Creek, only ten miles from here, there was nonecessity for an early start. This gives us an opportunity to get freshsupplies for our mess chests, and to dry things also. 

There was a terrific rain and electric storm last evening, and thismorning we present anything but a military appearance, for around eachtent is a fine array of bedding and clothing hung out to dry. Our campis at the foot of a hill a short distance back of the post, and duringthe storm the water rushed down with such force that it seemed as thoughwe were in danger of being carried on to the Arkansas River. 

We had just returned from a delightful dinner with Major and Mrs. Tilden, of the cavalry, and Faye had gone out to mount the guard for thenight, when, without a moment's warning, the storm burst upon us. Thelightning was fierce, and the white canvas made it appear even worsethan it really was, for at each flash the walls of the tent seemed tobe on fire. There was no dark closet for me to run into this time, butthere was a bed, and on that I got, taking the little dog with me forcompany and to get him out of the wet. He seemed very restless andconstantly gave little whines, and at the time I thought it was becausehe, too, was afraid of the storm. The water was soon two and threeinches deep on the ground under the tent, rushing along like a millrace, giving little gurgles as it went through the grass and against thetent pins. The roar of the rain on the tent was deafening. 

The guard is always mounted with the long steel bayonets on the rifles, and I knew that Faye had on his sword, and remembering these things mademe almost scream at each wicked flash of lightning, fearing that heand the men had been killed. But he came to the tent on a hard run, andgiving me a long waterproof coat to wrap myself in, gathered me in hisarms and started for Mrs. Tilden's, where I had been urged to remainovernight. When we reached a narrow board walk that was supposed to runalong by her side fence, Faye stood me down upon it, and I started to dosome running on my own account. Before I had taken two steps, however, down went the walk and down I went in water almost to my knees, and thensplash--down went the greyhound puppy! Up to that instant I had not beenconscious of having the little dog with me, and in all that rain andwater Faye had been carrying me and a fat puppy also. 

The walk had been moved by the rushing water, and was floating, whichwe had no way of knowing, of course. I dragged the dog out of thewater, and we finally reached the house, where we received a true armywelcome--a dry one, too--and there I remained until after breakfastthis morning. But sleep during the night I did not, for until long aftermidnight I sat in front of a blazing fire holding a very sick puppy. Halwas desperately ill and we all expected him to die at any moment, and Iwas doubly sorrowful, because I had been the innocent cause of it. Eversince I have had him he has been fed condensed milk only--perhaps alittle bread now and then; so when we got here I sent for some freshmilk, to give him a treat. He drank of it greedily and seemed to enjoyit so much, that I let him have all he wanted during the afternoon. Andit was the effect of the milk that made him whine during the storm, andnot because he was afraid of the lightning. He would have died, I dobelieve, had it not been for the kindness of Major Tilden who knows allabout greyhounds. They are very delicate and most difficult to raise. The little dog is a limp bunch of brindled satin this morning, wrappedin flannel, but we hope he will soon be well. 

A third company joined us here and will go on to Camp Supply. MajorHunt, the captain, has his wife and three children with him, and theyseem to be cultured and very charming people. Mrs. Hunt this momentbrought a plate of delicious spice cake for our luncheon. There is afirst lieutenant with the company, but he is not married. 

There is only one mail from here each week, so of course there will beonly one from Camp Supply, as that mail is brought here and then carriedup to the railroad with the Dodge mail. It is almost time for the tentsto be struck, and I must be getting ready for the march. 

CAMP SUPPLY, INDIAN TERRITORY, May, 1872. 

THIS place is quite as dreadful as it has been represented to us. Thereare more troops here than at Fort Lyon, and of course the post is verymuch larger. There are two troops of colored cavalry, one of whitecavalry, and three companies of infantry. The infantry companies thathave been stationed here, and which our three companies have come torelieve, will start in the morning for their new station, and will usethe transportation that brought us down. Consequently, it was necessaryto unload all the things from our wagons early this morning, so theycould be turned over to the outgoing troops. I am a little curious toknow if there is a second lieutenant who will be so unfortunate as to beallowed only one half of a wagon in which to carry his household goods. 

Their going will leave vacant a number of officers' quarters, thereforethere will be no selection of quarters by our officers until to-morrow. Faye is next to the junior, so there will be very little left to selectfrom by the time his turn comes. The quarters are really nothing morethan huts built of vertical logs plastered in between with mud, and theroofs are of poles and mud! Many of the rooms have only sand floors. Wedined last evening with Captain and Mrs. Vincent, of the cavalry, and were amazed to find that such wretched buildings could be made soattractive inside. But of course they have one of the very best houseson the line, and as company commander, Captain Vincent can have doneabout what he wants. And then, again, they are but recently married, andall their furnishings are new and handsome. There is one advantagein being with colored troops--one can always have good servants. Mrs. Vincent has an excellent colored soldier cook, and her butler wasthoroughly trained as such before he enlisted. It did look so funny, however, to see such a black man in a blue Uniform. 

The march down from Fort Dodge was most uncomfortable the first twodays. It poured and poured rain, and then poured more rain, untilfinally everybody and everything was soaked through. I felt so sorry forthe men who had to march in the sticky mud. Their shoes filled fast withwater, and they were compelled constantly to stop, take them off, and pour out the water. It cleared at last and the sun shone warm andbright, and then there was another exhibition in camp one afternoon, ofclothing and bedding drying on guy ropes. 

All the way down I was on the lookout for Indians, and was laughed atmany a time for doing so, too. Every time something unusual was seen inthe distance some bright person would immediately exclaim, "Oh, thatis only one of Mrs. Rae's Indians!" I said very little about what I sawduring the last day or two, for I felt that the constant teasing musthave become as wearisome to the others as it had to me. But I am stillpositive that I saw the black heads of Indians on the top of ever somany hills we passed. When they wish to see and not be seen they crawlup a hill on the side farthest from you, but only far enough up toenable them to look over, and in this position they will remain forhours, perfectly motionless, watching your every movement. Unless younotice the hill very carefully you will never see the black dot on top, for only the eyes and upper part of the head are exposed. I had beentold all this many times; also, that when in an Indian country to bemost watchful when Indians are not to be seen. 

Camp Supply is certainly in an Indian country, for it is surrounded byComanches, Apaches, Kiowas, Cheyennes, and Arapahoes--each a hostiletribe, except the last. No one can go a rod from the garrison without anescort, and our weekly mail is brought down in a wagon andguarded by a corporal and several privates. Only last week twocouriers--soldiers--who had been sent down with dispatches from FortDodge, were found dead on the road, both shot in the back, probablywithout having been given one chance to defend themselves. 

We are in camp on low land just outside the post, and last night wewere almost washed away again by the down-pouring rain, and this morningthere is mud everywhere. And this is the country that is supposed neverto have rain! Mrs. Vincent invited me most cordially to come to herhouse until we at least knew what quarters we were to have, and CaptainVincent came early to-day to insist upon my going up at once, but Ireally could not go. We have been in rain and mud so long I feel that Iam in no way fit to go to anyone's house. Besides, it would seem selfishin me to desert Faye, and he, of course, would not leave the company aslong as it is in tents. We are delighted at finding such charming peopleas the Vincents at this horrid place. 

CAMP SUPPLY, INDIAN TERRITORY, June, 1872. 

WE are in our own house now and almost settled. When one has only a fewpieces of furniture it does not take long to get them in place. It isimpossible to make the rooms look homelike, and I often find myselfwondering where in this world I have wandered to! The house is of logs, of course, and has a pole and dirt roof, and was built originally for anofficers' mess. The dining room is large and very long, a part of whichwe have partitioned off with a piece of canvas and converted into astoreroom. We had almost to get down on our knees to the quartermasterbefore he would give us the canvas. He is in the quartermaster'sdepartment and is most arrogant; seems to think that every nail and tackis his own personal property and for his exclusive use. 

Our dining room has a sand floor, and almost every night little whitetoadstools grow up all along the base of the log walls. All of the logsare of cottonwood and have the bark on, and the army of bugs that hideunderneath the bark during the day and march upon us at night is to bedreaded about as much as a whole tribe of Indians!

I wrote you how everyone laughed at me on the march down because I waspositive I saw heads of Indians on the sand hills so many times. Well, all that has ceased, and the mention of "Mrs. Rae's Indians" iscarefully avoided! There has been sad proof that the Indians were there, also that they were watching us closely and kept near us all the waydown from Fort Dodge, hoping for a favorable opportunity to steal theanimals. The battalion of the --th Infantry had made only two days'march from here, and the herders had just turned the horses and mulesout to graze, when a band of Cheyenne Indians swooped down upon them andstampeded every animal, leaving the companies without even one mule!The poor things are still in camp on the prairie, waiting for something, anything, to move them on. General Phillips is mightily pleased that theIndians did not succeed in getting the animals from his command, and Iam pleased that they cannot tease me any more. 

My ride with Lieutenant Golden, Faye's classmate, this morning was veryexciting for a time. We started directly after stable call, which is atsix o'clock. Lieutenant Golden rode Dandy, his beautiful thoroughbred, that reminds me so much of Lieutenant Baldwin's Tom, and I rode a troophorse that had never been ridden by a woman before. As soon as he wasled up I noticed that there was much white to be seen in his eyes, andthat he was restless and ever pawing the ground. But the orderly said hewas not vicious, and he was sure I could ride him. He did not object inthe least to my skirt, and we started off in fine style, but before wereached the end of the line he gave two or three pulls at the bit, andthen bolted! My arms are remarkably strong, but they were like a child'sagainst that hard mouth. He turned the corner sharply and carried mealong back of the laundress' quarters, where there was a perfect networkof clothes lines, and where I fully expected to be swept from thesaddle. But I managed to avoid them by putting my head down close to thehorse's neck, Indian fashion. He was not a very large horse, and loweredhimself, of course, by his terrific pace. He went like the wind, onand up the hill in front of the guard house. There a sentry was walkingpost, and on his big infantry rifle was a long bayonet, and the poorman, in his desire to do something for me, ran forward and held thegun horizontally right in front of my horse, which caused him to give afearful lunge to the right and down the hill. How I managed to keep myseat I do not know, and neither do I know how that mad horse kept rightside up on that down jump. But it did not seem to disturb him in theleast, for he never slackened his speed, and on we went toward thestables, where the cavalry horses were tied to long picket ropes, andclose together, getting their morning grooming. 

All this time Lieutenant Golden had not attempted to overtake me, fearing that by doing so he might make matters worse, but when he sawthat the horse was running straight for his place on the line, he pushedforward, and grasping my bridle rein, almost pulled the horse on hishaunches. He said later that I might have been kicked to death by thetroop horses if I had been rushed in among them. We went on to thestables, Lieutenant Golden leading my horse, and you can fancy howmortified I was over that performance, and it was really unnecessary, too. Lieutenant Golden, also the sergeant, advised me to dismount andtry another horse, but I said no! I would ride that one if I could havea severer bit and my saddle girths tightened. Dismount before LieutenantGolden, a cavalry officer and Faye's classmate, and all those staringtroopers--I, the wife of an infantry officer? Never! It was my firstexperience with a runaway horse, but I had kept a firm seat all thetime--there was some consolation in that thought. 

Well, to my great relief and comfort, it was discovered that the chinchain that is on all cavalry bits had been left off, and this had madethe curb simply a straight bit and wholly ineffective. The sergeantfastened the chain on and it was made tight, too, and he tightened thegirths and saw that everything was right, and then Lieutenant Golden andI started on our ride the second time. I expected trouble, as the horsewas then leaving his stable and companions, but when he commenced toback and shake his head I let him know that I held a nice stinging whip, and that soon stopped the balking. We had to pass three long picketlines of horses and almost two hundred troopers, every one of whomstared at me with both eyes. It was embarrassing, of course, but I wasglad to let the whole line of them see that I was capable of managing myown horse, which was still very frisky. I knew very well, too, that thesergeant's angry roar when he asked, "Who bridled this horse?" hadbeen heard by many of them. Our ride was very delightful after all itsexciting beginning, and we are going again to morrow morning. I wantto let those troopers see that I am not afraid to ride the horse theyselected for me. 

I shall be so glad when Hal is large enough to go with me. He is growingfast, but at present seems to be mostly legs. He is devoted to me, butI regret to say that he and our old soldier cook are not the dearestfriends. Findlay is so stupid he cannot appreciate the cunning thingsthe little dog does. Hal is fed mush and milk only until he gets hissecond teeth, and consequently he is wild about meat. The odor of abroiling beefsteak the other day was more than he could resist, so hemanaged to get his freedom by slipping his collar over his head, andrushing into the kitchen, snatched the sizzling steak and was out againbefore Findlay could collect his few wits, and get across the room tostop him. The meat was so hot it burned his mouth, and he howled fromthe pain, but drop it he did not until he was far from the cook. ThisI consider very plucky in so young a dog! Findlay ran after the littlehound, yelling and swearing, and I ran after Findlay to keep him frombeating my dog. Of course we did not have beefsteak that day, but, as Itold Faye, it was entirely Findlay's fault. He should have kept watchof things, and not made it possible for Hal to kill himself by eating awhole big steak!

Yesterday, Lieutenant Golden came in to luncheon, and when we went inthe dining room I saw at once that things were wrong, very wrong. Apolished table is an unknown luxury down here, but fresh table linen wedo endeavor to have. But the cloth on the table yesterday was a sightto behold, with big spots of dirt all along one side and dirt on top. Findlay came in the room just as I reached the table, and I said, "Findlay, what has happened here?" He gave one look at the cloth whereI pointed, and then striking his knuckles together, almost sobbed out, "Dot tamn dog, mum!" Faye and Lieutenant Golden quickly left the roomto avoid hearing any more remarks of that kind, for it was really verydreadful in Findlay to use such language. This left me alone, of course, to pacify the cook, which I found no easy task. Old Findlay had pickleda choice buffalo tongue with much care and secrecy, and had served itfor luncheon yesterday as a great surprise and treat. There was theplatter on the table, but there could be no doubt of its having beenlicked clean. Not one tiny piece of tongue could be seen any place. 

The window was far up, and in vain did I try to convince everyone thata strange dog had come in and stolen the meat, that Hal was quite toosmall to have reached so far; but Findlay only looked cross and Fayelooked hungry, so I gave that up. Before night, however, there wastrouble and a very sick puppy in the house, and once again I thought hewould die. And every few minutes that disagreeable old cook wouldcome in and ask about the dog, and say he was afraid he could not getwell--always with a grin on his face that was exasperating. Finally, I told him that if he had served only part of the tongue, as he shouldhave done, the dog would not have been so ill, and we could have hadsome of it. That settled the matter--he did not come in again. Findlayhas served several enlistments, and is regarded as an old soldier, andonce upon a time he was cook for the colonel of the regiment, thereforehe sometimes forgets himself and becomes aggressive. I do not wonderthat Hal dislikes him. 

And Hal dislikes Indians, too, and will often hear their low mumblingand give little growls before I dream that one is near. They have adisagreeable way of coming to the windows and staring in. Sometimesbefore you have heard a sound you will be conscious of an uncomfortablefeeling, and looking around you will discover five or six Indians, largeand small, peering at you through the windows, each ugly nose pressedflat against the glass! It is enough to drive one mad. You never knowwhen they are about, their tread is so stealthy with their moccasinedfeet. 

Faye is officer of the guard every third day now. This sounds rathernice; but it means that every third day and night--exactly twenty-fourhours--he has to spend at the guard house, excepting when making therounds, that is, visiting sentries on post, and is permitted to cometo the house just long enough to eat three hurried meals. This is doingduty, and would be all right if there were not a daily mingling of whiteand colored troops which often brings a colored sergeant over a whitecorporal and privates. But the most unpleasant part for the officer ofthe guard is that the partition in between the officer's room and guardroom is of logs, unchinked, and very open, and the weather is very hot!and the bugs, which keep us all in perpetual warfare in our houses, havefull sway there, going from one room to the other. 

The officers say that the negroes make good soldiers and fight likefiends. They certainly manage to stick on their horses like monkeys. TheIndians call them "buffalo soldiers, " because their woolly heads are somuch like the matted cushion that is between the horns of the buffalo. We had letters from dear old Fort Lyon yesterday, and the news aboutLieutenant Baldwin is not encouraging. He is not improving and DoctorWilder is most anxious about him. But a man as big and strong as he wasmust certainly get well in time. 

CAMP SUPPLY, INDIAN TERRITORY, June, 1872. 

IT seems as if I had to write constantly of unpleasant occurrences, butwhat else can I do since unpleasant occurrences are ever comingalong? This time I must tell you that Faye has been turned out ofquarters--"ranked out, " as it is spoken of in the Army. But it allamounts to the same thing, and means that we have been driven out of ourhouse and home, bag and baggage, because a captain wanted that one setof quarters! Call it what one chooses, the experience was not pleasantand will be long remembered. Being turned out was bad enough in itself, but the manner in which it was done was humiliating in the extreme. Wehad been in the house only three weeks and had worked so hard duringthat time to make it at all comfortable. Findlay wanted to tear down thecanvas partition in the dining room when we left the house, and I wassorry later on that I had not consented to his doing so. 

One morning at ten o'clock I received a note from Faye, written at theguard house, saying that his set of quarters had been selected by acavalry officer who had just arrived at the post, and that every articleof ours must be out of the house that day by one o'clock! Also that, ashe was officer of the guard, it would be impossible for him to assistme in the least, except to send some enlisted men to move the things. At first I was dazed and wholly incapable of comprehending thesituation--it seemed so preposterous to expect anyone to move everythingout of a house in three hours. But as soon as I recovered my senses Isaw at once that not one second of the precious time must be wasted, andthat the superintendence of the whole thing had fallen upon me. 

So I gathered my forces, and the four men started to work in a way thatshowed they would do everything in their power to help me. All that waspossible for us to do, however, was almost to throw things out in a sideyard, for remember, please, we had only three short hours in which tomove everything--and this without, warning or preparation of any kind. All things, big and small, were out by one o'clock, and just in time, too, to avoid a collision with the colored soldiers of the incomingcavalry officer, who commenced taking furniture and boxes in the houseat precisely that hour. 

Of course there was no hotel or even restaurant for me to go to, andI was too proud and too indignant to beg shelter in the house of afriend--in fact, I felt as if I had no friend. So I sat down on a chairin the yard with the little dog by me, thinking, I remember, that thechair was our own property and no one had a right to object to my beingthere. And I also remember that the whole miserable affair brought tomind most vividly scenes of eviction that had been illustrated inthe papers from time to time, when poor women had been evicted fornonpayment of rent!

Just as I had reached the very lowest depths of misery and woe, Mrs. Vincent appeared, and Faye almost immediately after. We three went toMrs. Vincent's house for luncheon, and in fact I remained there until wecame to this house. She had just heard of what had happened and hasteneddown to me. Captain Vincent said it was entirely the fault of thecommanding officer for permitting such a disgraceful order to leave hisoffice; that Captain Park's family could have remained one night longerin tents here, as they had been in camp every night on the road fromFort Sill. 

There came a ludicrous turn to all this unpleasantness, for, by theranking out of one junior second lieutenant, six or more captains andfirst lieutenants had to move. It was great fun the next day to see themoving up and down the officers' line of all sorts of household goods, for it showed that a poor second lieutenant was of some importance afterall!

But I am getting on too fast. Faye, of course, was entitled to tworooms, some place in the post, but it seems that the only quarters hecould take were those occupied by Lieutenant Cole, so Faye decided atonce to go into tents himself, in preference to compelling LieutenantCole to do so. Now it so happened that the inspector general of thedepartment was in the garrison, and as soon as he learned the conditionof affairs, he ordered the post quartermaster to double two setsof quarters--that is, make four sets out of two--and designated thequartermaster's own house for one of the two. But Major Knox dividedoff two rooms that no one could possibly occupy, and in consequence hasstill all of his large house. But the other large set that was doubledwas occupied by a senior captain, who, when his quarters were reducedin size, claimed a new choice, and so, turning another captain out, theranking out went on down to a second lieutenant. But no one took our oldhouse from Captain Park, much to my disappointment, and he still has it. 

The house that we are in now is built of cedar logs, and was thecommanding officer's house at one time. It has a long hall runningthrough the center, and on the left side Major Hunt and his family havethe four rooms, and we have the two on the right. Our kitchen is acrossthe yard, and was a chicken house not so very long ago. It has no floor, of course, so we had loads of dirt dug out and all filled in again withclean white sand, and now, after the log walls have been scraped andwhitened, and a number of new shelves put up, it is really quite nice. Our sleeping room has no canvas on the walls inside, and much of thechinking has fallen out, leaving big holes, and I never have a light inthat room after dark, fearing that Indians might shoot me through thoseholes. They are skulking about the post all the time. 

We have another cook now--a soldier of course--and one that is ratherinexperienced. General Phillips ordered Findlay back to the company, saying he was much needed there, but he was company cook just oneday when he was transferred to the general's own kitchen. Comment isunnecessary! But it is all for the best, I am sure, for Farrar is veryfond of Hal, and sees how intelligent he is, just as I do. The littledog is chained to a kennel all the time now, and, like his mistress, istrying to become dignified. 

Faye was made post adjutant this morning, which we consider rathercomplimentary, since the post commander is in the cavalry, and there area number of cavalry lieutenants here. General Dickinson is a polishedold gentleman, and his wife a very handsome woman who looks almost asyoung as her daughter. Miss Dickinson, the general's older daughter, isvery pretty and a fearless rider. In a few days we two are to commenceour morning rides. 

How very funny that I should have forgotten to tell you that I have ahorse, at least I hope he will look like a horse when he has gained someflesh and lost much long hair. He is an Indian pony of very good size, and has a well-shaped head and slender little legs. He has a foxtrot, which is wonderfully easy, and which he apparently can keep upindefinitely, and like all Indian horses can "run like a deer. " So, altogether, he will do very well for this place, where rides arenecessarily curtailed. I call him Cheyenne, because we bought him ofLittle Raven, a Cheyenne chief. I shall be so glad when I can rideagain, as I have missed so much the rides and grand hunts at Fort Lyon. 

Later: The mail is just in, and letters have come from Fort Lyontelling us of the death of Lieutenant Baldwin! It is dreadful--and seemsimpossible. They write that he became more and more despondent, untilfinally it was impossible to rouse him sufficiently to take an interestin his own life. Faye and I have lost a friend--a real, true friend. Abrother could not have been kinder, more considerate than he was to bothof us always. How terribly he must have grieved over the ruin of thehorse he was so proud of, and loved so well!

CAMP SUPPLY, INDIAN TERRITORY, September, 1872. 

THE heat here is still intense, and it never rains, so everything isparched to a crisp. The river is very low and the water so full ofalkali that we are obliged to boil every drop before it is used fordrinking or cooking, and even then it is so distasteful that we flavorit with sugar of lemons so we can drink it at all. Fresh lemons areunknown here, of course. The ice has given out, but we manage to coolthe water a little by keeping it in bottles and canteens down in thedug-out cellar. 

Miss Dickinson and I continue our daily rides, but go out very early inthe morning. We have an orderly now, as General Dickinson considers itunsafe for us to go without an escort, since we were chased by an Indianthe other day. That morning the little son of General Phillips was withus, and as it was not quite as warm as usual, we decided to canter downthe sunflower road a little way--a road that runs to the crossing ofWolf Creek through an immense field of wild sunflowers. These sunflowersgrow to a tremendous height in this country, so tall that sometimes youcannot see over them even when on horseback. Just across the creek thereis a village of Apache Indians, and as these Indians are known to behostile, this particular road is considered rather unsafe. 

But we rode on down a mile or more without seeing a thing, and had justturned our ponies' heads homeward when little Grote, who was back ofus, called out that an Indian was coming. That was startling, butupon looking back we saw that he was a long distance away and comingleisurely, so we did not pay much attention to him. 

But Grote was more watchful, and very soon screamed, "Mrs. Rae, Mrs. Rae, the Indian is coming fast--he's going to catch us!" And then, without wasting time by looking back, we started our ponies with a boundthat put them at their best pace, poor little Grote lashing his mostunmercifully, and crying every minute, "He'll catch us! He'll catch us!"

That the Indian was on a fleet pony and was gaining upon us was veryevident, and what might have happened had we not soon reached thesutler's store no one can tell, but we did get there just as he caughtup with us, and as we drew in our panting horses that hideous savagerode up in front of us and circled twice around us, his pony going likea whirlwind; and in order to keep his balance, the Indian leaned farover on one side, his head close to the pony's neck. He said "How"with a fiendish grin that showed how thoroughly he was enjoying ourfrightened faces, and then turned his fast little beast back to thesunflower road. Of course, as long as the road to the post was clearwe were in no very great danger, as our ponies were fast, but if thatsavage could have passed us and gotten us in between him and the Apachevillage, we would have lost our horses, if not our lives, for turningoff through the sunflowers would have been an impossibility. 

The very next morning, I think it was, one of the government muleswandered away, and two of the drivers went in search of it, but notfinding it in the post, one of the men suggested that they should goto the river where the post animals are watered. It is a fork of theCanadian River, and is just over a little sand hill, not one quarter ofa mile back of the quarters, but not in the direction of the sunflowerroad. The other man, however, said he would not go--that it was notsafe--and came back to the corral, so the one who proposed going went onalone. 

Time passed and the man did not return, and finally a detail was sentout to look him up. They went directly to the river, and there theyfound him, just on the other side of the hill--dead. He had been shotby some fiendish Indian soon after leaving his companion. The mule hasnever been found, and is probably in a far-away Indian village, wherehe brays in vain for the big rations of corn he used to get at thegovernment corral. 

Last Monday, soon after luncheon, forty or fifty Indians came rushingdown the drive in front of the officers' quarters, frightening some ofus almost out of our senses. Where they came from no one could tell, fornot one sentry had seen them until they were near the post. They rodepast the houses like mad creatures, and on out to the company gardens, where they made their ponies trample and destroy every growing thing. Only a few vegetables will mature in this soil and climate, but melonsare often very good, and this season the gardeners had taken much painswith a crop of fine watermelons that were just beginning to ripen. Butnot one of these was spared--every one was broken and crushed by thelittle hoofs of the ponies, which seem to enjoy viciousness of this kindas much as the Indians themselves. 

A company of infantry was sent at once to the gardens, but as it was notquite possible for the men to outrun the ponies, the mischief had beendone before they got there, and all they could do was to force them backat the point of the bayonet. Cavalry was ordered out, also, to drivethem away, but none of the troops were allowed to fire upon them, andthat the Indians knew very well. It might have brought on an uprising!

It seems that the Indians were almost all young bucks out for a frolic, but quite ready, officers say, for any kind of devilment. They rodearound the post three or four times at breakneck speed, each circlebeing larger, and taking them farther away. At last they all started forthe hills and gradually disappeared--all but one, a sentinel, who couldbe seen until dark sitting his pony on the highest hill. I presume therewere dozens of Indians on the sand hills around the post peeking over tosee how the fun went on. 

They seem to be watching the post every second of the day, ready topounce upon any unprotected thing that ventures forth, be it man orbeast. At almost any time two or three black dots can be seen on the topof the white sand hills, and one wonders how they can lie for hours inthe hot, scorching sand with the sun beating down on their heads andbacks. And all the time their tough little ponies will stand near them, down the hill, scarcely moving or making a sound. Some scouts declarethat an Indian pony never whinnies or sneezes! But that seems absurd, although some of those little beasts show wonderful intelligence andappear to have been apt pupils in treachery. 

CAMP SUPPLY, INDIAN TERRITORY, October, 1872. 

THIS place is becoming more dreadful each day, and every one of theawful things I feared might happen here seems to be coming to pass. Night before last the post was actually attacked by Indians! It wasabout one o'clock when the entire garrison was awakened by rifle shotsand cries of "Indians! Indians!" There was pandemonium at once. The"long roll" was beaten on the infantry drums, and "boots and saddles"sounded by the cavalry bugles, and these are calls that startle all whohear them, and strike terror to the heart of every army woman. They meanthat something is wrong--very wrong--and demand the immediate reportfor duty at their respective companies of every officer and man in thegarrison. 

Faye jumped into his uniform, and saying a hasty good-by, ran to hiscompany, as did all the other officers, and very soon we could hear theshouting of orders from every direction. 

Our house is at the extreme end of the officers' line and very isolated, therefore Mrs. Hunt and I were left in a most deplorable condition, withthree little children--one a mere baby--to take care of. We put them allin one bed and covered them as well as we could without a light, whichwe did not dare have, of course. Then we saw that all the doors andwindows were fastened on both sides. We decided that it would be quiteimpossible for us to remain shut up inside the house, so we dressed ourfeet, put on long waterproof coats over our nightgowns as quickly andsilently as possible, and then we sat down on the steps of the frontdoor to await--we knew not what. I had firm hold of a revolver, and feltexceedingly grateful all the time that I had been taught so carefullyhow to use it, not that I had any hope of being able to do more with itthan kill myself, if I fell in the hands of a fiendish Indian. I believethat Mrs. Hunt, however, was almost as much afraid of the pistol as shewas of the Indians. 

Ten minutes after the shots were fired there was perfect silencethroughout the garrison, and we knew absolutely nothing of what wastaking place around us. Not one word did we dare even whisper to eachother, our only means of communication being through our hands. Thenight was intensely dark and the air was close--almost suffocating. 

In this way we sat for two terrible hours, ever on the alert, everlistening for the stealthy tread of a moccasined foot at a corner of thehouse. And then, just before dawn, when we were almost exhausted by thegreat strain on our strength and nerves, our husbands came. They told usthat a company of infantry had been quite near us all the time, and thata troop of cavalry had been constantly patrolling around the post. Icannot understand how such perfect silence was maintained by the troops, particularly the cavalry. Horses usually manage to sneeze at such times. 

There is always a sentry at our corner of the garrison, and it wasthis sentinel who was attacked, and it is the general belief among theofficers that the Indians came to this corner hoping to get the-troopsconcentrated at the beat farthest from the stables, and thus give thema chance to steal some, if not all, of the cavalry horses. But Mr. Red Man's strategy is not quite equal to that of the Great Father'ssoldiers, or he would have known that troops would be sent at once toprotect the horses. 

There were a great many pony tracks to be seen in the sand the nextmorning, and there was a mounted sentinel on a hill a mile or so away. It was amusing to watch him through a powerful field glass, and wewished that he could know just how his every movement could be seen. He sat there on his pony for hours, both Indian and horse apparentlyperfectly motionless, but with his face always turned toward the post, ready to signal to his people the slightest movement of the troops. 

Faye says that the colored troops were real soldiers that night, alertand plucky. I can readily believe that some of them can be alert, andpossibly good soldiers, and that they can be good thieves too, for lastSaturday night they stole from us the commissary stores we had expectedto last us one week--everything, in fact, except coffee, sugar, and suchthings that we keep in the kitchen, where it is dry. 

The commissary is open Saturday mornings only, at which time we arerequested to purchase all supplies we will need from there for thefollowing week, and as we have no fresh vegetables whatever, and nomeat except beef, we are very dependent upon the canned goods and otherthings in the commissary. 

Last Saturday Mrs. Hunt and I sent over as usual, and most of thesupplies were put in a little dug-out cellar in the yard that we usetogether--she having one side, I the other. On Sunday morning Farrarhappened to be the first cook to go out for things for breakfast, andhe found that the door had been broken open and the shelves as bare asMother Hubbard's. Everything had been carried off except a few candleson Mrs. Hunt's side, and a few cakes of laundry soap on mine! Thecandles they had no use for, and the thieves were probably of a classthat had no use for soap, either. 

Our breakfast that morning was rather light, but as soon as word gotabroad of our starving condition, true army hospitality and generositymanifested itself. We were invited out to luncheon, and to dinner, andto breakfast the next morning. You can see how like one big familya garrison can be, and how in times of trouble we go to each other'sassistance. Of course, now and then we have disagreeable persons withus--those who will give you only three hours to move out of your house, or one who will order your cook from you. 

CAMP SUPPLY, INDIAN TERRITORY, January, 1873. 

ALL that remained of Captain White was carried to the little cemeteryyesterday, with all the military honors possible at such a far-awaypost We have no chaplain, therefore one of the cavalry officers readthe service for the dead at the house, just before the march to thecemetery. Almost all of the cavalry of the garrison was out, mounted, Captain White's own troop having the lead, of course, and the greaterpart of the infantry was out also, and there was a firing detail, withguns reversed. 

The casket, covered with a large flag, was carried on a caisson, andhis horse, led by an orderly, was covered with a large blanket of blackcloth. Over this was the saddle, and on top of the saddle rested hishelmet--the yellow horsehair plume and gold trimmings looking soiled bylong service. His sabre was there, too, and strapped to the saddle oneach side were his uniform boots, toes in stirrups--all reversed! Thisriderless horse, with its pall of black, yellow helmet, and footlessboots, was the saddest sight imaginable. 

I did not go to the cemetery, but we heard distinctly the firing of thethree volleys over the grave and the sounding of taps on the bugles. Thegarrison flag had been drawn to half mast almost the moment of CaptainWhite's death, but at the last sound of taps it was immediately pulledup to full mast, and soon the troops came back to their quarters, thefield music playing lively airs. 

This seemed so unnecessarily cruel, for Mrs. White must have heard everynote, and she is still so wretchedly ill. The tiny baby has beentaken from the house by the motherly wife of an officer, and the othertots--four in all--are being cared for by others. We have all beentaking turns in sitting up nights during the illness of husband andwife, and last night three of us were there, Captain Tillman and Faye inone room, and I with Mrs. White. It was a terrible night, probably theone that has exacted, or will exact, the greatest self-control, as itwas the one before the burial. 

In civil life a poor widow can often live right on in her old home, butin the Army, never! Mrs. White will have to give up the quarters justas soon as she and the little baby are strong enough to travel. She hasbeen in a warm climate many years, and her friends are all in the North, so to-morrow a number of us are to commence making warm clothing for herand the children. She has absolutely nothing of the kind, and seems tobe pitifully helpless and incapable of thinking for herself. 

Soon after I got home this morning and was trying to get a little sleep, I heard screams and an awful commotion across the hall in one of Mrs. Hunt's rooms, and running over to see what was the matter, I found Mrs. Hunt standing upon a chair, and her cook running around like a madman, with a stick of wood in his hand, upsetting furniture and whackingthings generally. I naturally thought of a mouse, and not being afraidof them, I went on in and closed the door. I doubt if Mrs. Hunt saw me, she was so intently watching the man, who kept on upsetting things. He stopped finally, and then held up on the wood a snake--a deadrattlesnake! We measured it, and it was over two feet long. 

You can see how the house is built by the photograph I sent you, thatthere are no chimneys, and that the stovepipes go straight up throughthe pole and sod roof. The children insist that the snake came down thepipe in the liveliest kind of a way, so it must have crawled up the logsto the roof, and finding the warmth of the pipe, got too close to theopening and slipped through. However that may be, he got into the roomwhere the three little children were playing alone. Fortunately, theoldest recognized the danger at once, and ran screaming to her mother, the other two following. Mrs. Hunt was almost ill over the affair, and Major Hunt kept a man on top and around the old house hunting forsnakes, until we began to fear it would be pulled down on our heads. 

This country itself is bad enough, and the location of the post is mostunfortunate, but to compel officers and men to live in these old hutsof decaying, moldy wood, which are reeking with malaria and alive withbugs, and perhaps snakes, is wicked. Officers' families are not obligedto remain here, of course. 

But at dreadful places like this is where the plucky army wife is mostneeded. Her very presence has often a refining and restraining influenceover the entire garrison, from the commanding officer down to the lastrecruit. No one can as quickly grasp the possibilities of comfort inquarters like these, or as bravely busy herself to fix them up. Sheknows that the stay is indefinite, that it may be for six months, orpossibly six years, but that matters not. It is her army home--BrassButton's home--and however discouraging its condition may be, for hissake she pluckily, and with wifely pride, performs miracles, alwaysmaking the house comfortable and attractive. 

FORT DODGE, KANSAS, January, 1873. 

OUR coming here was most unexpected and very unpleasant in every way. General Phillips and Major Barker quarreled over something, and MajorBarker preferred charges against the general, who is his companycommander, and now General Phillips is being tried here by general courtmartial. Faye and I were summoned as witnesses by Major Barker, justbecause we heard a few words that were said in front of our window lateone night! The court has thoughtfully excused me from going into thecourt room, as I could only corroborate Faye's testimony. I am sorelieved, for it would have been a terrible ordeal to have gone in thatroom where all those officers are sitting, in full-dress uniform, too, and General Phillips with them. I would have been too frightened to haveremembered one thing, or to have known whether I was telling the truthor not. 

General Dickinson and Ben dark, his interpreter, came up in theambulance with us, and the poor general is now quite ill, the result ofan ice bath in the Arkansas River! When we started to come across on theice here at the ford, the mule leaders broke through and fell downon the river bottom, and being mules, not only refused to get up, butinsisted upon keeping their noses under the water. The wheelers brokethrough, too, but had the good sense to stand on their feet, but theygave the ambulance such a hard jerk that the front wheels broke off moreice and went down to the river bottom, also. By the time all this hadoccurred, I was the only one left inside, and found myself very busytrying to keep myself from slipping down under the front seat, wherewater had already come in. General Dickinson and Faye were doingeverything possible to assist the men. 

Just how it was accomplished would make too long a story to tell, butin a short time the leaders were dragged out and on their feet, and therear wheels of the ambulance let down on the river bottom, and then wewere all pulled up on the ice again, and came on to the post in safety. All but General Dickinson, who undertook to hold out of the water theheads of the two leaders who seemed determined to commit suicide bykeeping their noses down, the general forgetting for once that he wascommanding officer. But one of those government mules did not forget, and with a sudden jerk of his big head he pulled the general over anddown from the ice into the water, and in such a way that he was wedgedtight in between the two animals. One would have expected much objectionon the part of the mules to the fishing out of the general, but thosetwo mules kept perfectly still, apparently satisfied with the mischiefthat had already been done. I can fancy that there is one mule stillchuckling over the fact of having gotten even with a commanding officer!It is, quite warm now, and the ice has gone out of the river, so therewill be no trouble at the ford to-morrow, when we start back. 

There is one company of Faye's regiment stationed here, and the officerin command of the post is major of the Third, so we feel at home. We arestaying with Lieutenant Harvey, who is making it very pleasant for us. Hal is with us, and is being petted by everybody, but most of all by thecavalry officers, some of whom have hunted with Magic, Hal's father. 

Last evening, while a number of us were sitting on the veranda afterdinner, a large turkey gobbler came Stalking down the drive in front ofthe officers' quarters. Hal was squatted down, hound fashion, at thetop of the steps, and of course saw the gobbler at once. He never moved, except to raise his ears a little, but I noticed that his eyes openedwider and wider, and could see that he was making an estimate of thespeed of that turkey, and also making up his mind that it was his dutyas a self-respecting hound to resent the airs that were being assumedby the queer thing with a red nose and only two legs. So as soon as theturkey passed, down he jumped after him, and over him and around him, until really the poor thing looked about one half his former size. ThenHal got back of the turkey and waited for it to run, which it proceededto do without loss of time, and then a funny race was on! I could havecried, I was so afraid Hal would injure the turkey, but everyone elselaughed and watched, as though it was the sporting event of the year, and they assured me that the dog would have to stop when he got tothe very high gate at the end of the line. But they did not know thatgreyhound, for the gate gave him still another opportunity to show thething that had wings to help its absurd legs along what a hound puppycould do. When they reached the gate the turkey went under, but thepuppy went over, making a magnificent jump that landed him yards inadvance of the turkey, thereby causing him the loss of the race, forbefore he could stop himself and turn, the gobbler had very wiselyhidden himself in a back yard. 

There was a shouting and clapping of hands all along the line becauseof the beautiful jump of so young a dog, but I must confess that all Ithought of just then was gratitude that my dog had not made an untimelyplucking of somebody's turkey, for in this country a turkey is somethingrare and valuable. 

Hal came trotting back with his loftiest steps and tail high in the air, evidently much pleased with his part in the entertainment. He isvery tall now, and ran by the ambulance all the way up, and has beenfollowing me on my rides for some time. 

CIMARRON REDOUBT, KANSAS, January, 1873. 

WHEN Faye was ordered here I said at once that I would come, too, andso I came! We are at a mail station--that is, where the relay mulesare kept and where the mail wagon and escort remain overnight on theirweekly trips from Camp Supply to Fort Dodge. A non-commissioned officerand ten privates are here all the time. 

The cause of Faye's being here is, the contractor is sending big trainsof grain down to Camp Supply for the cavalry horses and other animals, and it was discovered that whisky was being smuggled to the Indians inthe sacks of oats. So General Dickinson sent an officer to the redoubtto inspect each sack as it is carried past by the ox trains. LieutenantCole was the first officer to be ordered up, but the place did not agreewith him, and at the end of three weeks he appeared at the post on amail wagon, a very sick man--very sick indeed! In less than half an hourFaye was ordered to relieve him, to finish Lieutenant Cole's tour inaddition to his own detail of thirty days, which will give us a stayhere of over five weeks. 

As soon as I heard of the order I announced that I was coming, but itwas necessary to obtain the commanding officer's permission first. Thisseemed rather hopeless for a time, the general declaring I would "diein such a hole, " where I could have no comforts, but he did not say Ishould not come. Faye did not want to leave me alone at the post, butwas afraid the life here would be too rough for me, so I decided thematter for myself and began to make preparations to come away, and thatsettled all discussion. We were obliged to start early the next morning, and there were only a few hours in which to get ready. Packing the messchest and getting commissary stores occupied the most time, for afterour clothing was put away the closing of the house was a farce, "Peu debien, peu de soin!" Farrar was permitted to come, and we brought Hal andthe horse, so the family is still together. 

The redoubt is made of gunny sacks filled with sand, and is built onthe principle of a permanent fortification in miniature, with bastions, flanks, curtains, and ditch, and has two pieces of artillery. Theparapet is about ten feet high, upon the top of which a sentry walks allthe time. This is technically correct, for Faye has just explained itall to me, so I could tell you about our castle on the plains. We haveonly two rooms for our own use, and these are partitioned off withvertical logs in one corner of the fortification, and our only roof isof canvas. 

When we first got here the dirt floor was very much like the side of amountain--so sloping that we had difficulty in sitting upon the chairs. Faye had these made level at once, and fresh, dry sand sprinkledeverywhere. 

We are right in the heart of the Indian country, almost on the linebetween Kansas and the Indian Territory, and are surrounded by anynumber of villages of hostile Indians. We are forty miles from CampSupply and about the same distance from Fort Dodge. The weather isdelightful--sunny and very warm. 

I was prevented from finishing this the other day by the coming of adozen or more Arapahoe Indians, but as the mail does not go north untilto-morrow morning, I can tell you of the more than busy time we have hadsince then. 

For two or three days the weather had been unseasonably warm--almostlike summer--and one evening it was not only hot, but so sultry onewondered where all the air had gone. About midnight, however, a terrificwind came up, cold and piercing, and very soon snow began to fall, andthen we knew that we were having a "Texas norther, " a storm that isfeared by all old frontiersmen. Of course we were perfectly safe fromthe wind, for only a cyclone could tear down these thick walls of sand, but the snow sifted in every place--between the logs of the inner wall, around the windows--and almost buried us. And the cold became intense. 

In the morning the logs of that entire wall from top to bottom, werewhite inside with snow, and looked like a forest in the far North. Thefloor was covered with snow, and so was the foot of the bed! Our roomswere facing just right to catch the full force of the blizzard. Thestraightening-out was exceedingly unpleasant, for a fire could not bestarted in either stove until after the snow had been swept out. But afew soldiers can work miracles at times, and this proved to be oneof the times. I went over to the orderly room while they brushed andscraped everywhere and fixed us up nicely, and we were soon warm anddry. 

The norther continued twenty-four hours, and the cold is still freezing. All the wood inside was soon consumed, and the men were compelled togo outside the redoubt for it, and to split it, too. The storm was sofierce and wholly blinding that it was necessary to fasten the end of arope around the waist of each man as he went out, and tie the otherend to the entrance gate to prevent him from losing his direction andwandering out on the plains. Even with this precaution it was impossiblefor a man to remain out longer than ten minutes, because of the terriblycold wind that at times was almost impossible to stand up against. 

Faye says that he cannot understand why the place has never been madehabitable, or why Lieutenant Cole did not have the wood brought inside, where it would be convenient in case of a storm. Some of the men areworking at the wood still, and others are making their quarters' alittle more decent. Every tiny opening in our own log walls has beenchinked with pieces of blanket or anything that could be found, and theentire dirt floor has been covered with clean grain sacks that are helddown smooth and tight by little pegs of wood, and over this roughcarpet we have three rugs we brought with us. At the small window areturkey-red curtains that make very good shades when let down at night. There are warm army blankets on the camp bed, and a folded red squawblanket on the trunk. The stove is as bright and shining as the strongarm of a soldier could make it, and on it is a little brass teakettlesinging merrily. 

Altogether the little place looks clean and cheerful, quite unlike the"hole" we came to. Farrar has attended to his part in the kitchen also, and things look neat and orderly there. A wall tent has been pitchedjust outside our door that gives us a large storeroom and at the sametime screens us from the men's quarters that are along one side of thesandbag walls. 

On the side farthest from us the mules and horses are stabled, but onewould never know that an animal was near if those big-headed mules didnot occasionally raise their voices in brays that sound like old squeakypumps. When it is pleasant they are all picketed out. 

At the first coming of the blizzard the sentry was ordered from theparapet, and is still off, and I am positive that unless one goes onsoon at night I shall be wholly deaf, because I strain my ears the wholenight through listening for Indians. The men are supposed to be everready for an attack, but if they require drums and cannon to awaken themin a garrison, how can they possibly hear the stealthy step of an Indianhere? It is foolish to expect anything so unreasonable. 

CIMARRON REDOUBT, KANSAS, January, 1873. 

FANCY our having given a dinner party at this sand-bag castle on theplains, miles and miles from a white man or woman! The number of guestswas small, but their rank was immense, for we entertained Powder-Face, Chief of the Arapahoe Nation, and Wauk, his young squaw, mother of hislittle chief. 

Two or three days ago Powder-Face came to make a formal call upon the"White Chief, " and brought with him two other Indians--aides we wouldcall them, I presume. A soldier offered to hold his horse, but he wouldnot dismount, and sat his horse with grave dignity until Faye went outand in person invited him to come in and have a smoke. He is an Indianof striking personality--is rather tall, with square, broad shoulders, and the poise of his head tells one at once that he is not an ordinarysavage. 

We must have found favor with him, for as he was going away he announcedthat he would come again the next day and bring his squaw with him. Then Faye, in his hospitable way, invited them to a midday dinner! I wasalmost speechless from horror at the very thought of sitting at a tablewith an Indian, no matter how great a chief he might be. But I could saynothing, of course, and he rode away with the understanding that he wasto return the following day. Faye assured me that it would be amusing towatch them, and be a break in the monotony here. 

They appeared promptly, and I became interested in Wauk at once, for shewas a remarkable squaw. Tall and slender, with rather a thin, girlishface, very unlike the short, fat squaws one usually sees, and she hadthe appearance of being rather tidy, too. I could not tell if she wasdressed specially for the occasion, as I had never seen her before, buteverything she had on was beautifully embroidered with beads--mostlywhite--and small teeth of animals. She wore a sort of short skirt, highleggings, and of course moccasins, and around her shoulders and fallingfar below her waist was a queer-shaped garment--neither cape norshawl--dotted closely all over with tiny teeth, which were fastened onat one end and left to dangle. 

High up around her neck was a dog collar of fine teeth that was reallybeautiful, and there were several necklaces of different lengths hangingbelow it, one of which was of polished elk teeth and very rare. Theskins of all her clothing had been tanned until they were as soft askid. Any number of bracelets were on her arms, many of them made of tin, I think. Her hair was parted and hung in loose ropes down each shoulderin front. Her feet and hands were very small, even for an Indian, andshowed that life had been kind to her. I am confident that she must havebeen a princess by birth, she was so different from all squaws I haveseen. She could not speak one word of English, but her lord, whom sheseemed to adore, could make himself understood very well by signs and aword now and then. 

Powder-Face wore a blanket, but underneath it was a shirt of fine skins, the front of which was almost covered with teeth, beads, and wampum. Hishair was roped on each side and hung in front, and the scalp lock on topwas made conspicuous by the usual long feather stuck through it. 

The time came when dinner could no longer be put off, so we sat down. Our menu in this place is necessarily limited, but a friend at FortDodge had added to our stores by sending us some fresh potatoes andsome lettuce by the mail wagon just the day before, and both of thesePowder-Face seemed to enjoy. In fact, he ate of everything, but Wauk wasmore particular--lettuce, potatoes, and ham she would not touch. Theirtable manners were not of the very best form, as might be expected, butthey conducted themselves rather decently--far better than I had fearedthey would. All the time I was wondering what that squaw was thinkingof things! Powder-Face was taken to Washington last year with chiefs ofother nations to see the "Great Father, " so he knew much of the whiteman's ways, but Wauk was a wild creature of the plains. 

We kept them bountifully supplied with everything on the table, so ourown portion of the dinner would remain unmolested, although neither Fayenor I had much appetite just then. When Farrar came in to remove theplates for dessert, and Powder-Face saw that the remaining food wasabout to disappear, he pushed Farrar back and commenced to attend to thetable himself. He pulled one dish after another to him, and scraped eachone clean, spreading all the butter on the bread, and piled upbuffalo steak, ham, potatoes, peas--in fact, every crumb that had beenleft--making one disgusting mess, and then tapping it with his fingersaid, "Papoose! Papoose!" We had it all put in a paper and other thingsadded, which made Wauk almost bob off her chair in her delight at havingsuch a feast for her little chief. But the condition of my tableclothmade me want to bob up and down for other feelings than delight!

After dinner they all sat by the stove and smoked, and Powder-Face toldfunny things about his trip East that we could not always interpret, butwhich caused him and Wauk to laugh heartily. Wauk sat very close to him, with elbows on her knees, looking as though she would much prefer to besquatted down upon the floor. 

The tepee odor became stifling, so in order to get as far from theIndians as possible, I went across the room and sat upon a small trunkby the window. I had not been there five minutes, however, before thatwily chief, who had apparently not noticed my existence, got up fromhis chair, gathered his blanket around him, and with long strides camestraight to me. Then with a grip of steel on my shoulder, he jerked mefrom the trunk and fairly slung me over against the wall, and turning toFaye with his head thrown back he said, "Whisk! Whisk!" at the same timepointing to the trunk. 

The demand was imperious, and the unstudied poise of the powerfullybuilt Indian, so full of savage dignity, was magnificent. As I calmlythink of it now, the whole scene was grand. The rough room, with itslow walls of sand-bags and logs, the Indian princess in her picturesquedress of skins and beads, the fair army officer in his uniform ofblue, both looking in astonishment at the chief, whose square jaws andflashing eyes plainly told that he was accustomed to being obeyed, andexpected to be obeyed then!

Faye says that I missed part of the scene; that, backed up againstsand-bags and clinging to them on either side for support, stood aslender young woman with pigtail hanging down one shoulder, so terrifiedthat her face, although brown from exposure to sun and wind, had becomewhite and chalky. It is not surprising that my face turned white; theonly wonder is that the pigtail did not turn white, too!

It was not right for Faye to give liquor to an Indian, but what elsecould be done under the circumstances? There happened to be a flask ofbrandy in the trunk, but fortunately there was only a small quantitythat we had brought up for medicinal purposes, and it was precious, too, for we were far from a doctor. But Faye had to get it out for the chief, who had sat there smoking in such an innocent way, but who had all thetime been studying out where there might be hidden some "whisk!" Waukdrank almost all of it, Powder-Face seeming to derive more pleasure inseeing her drink his portion than in drinking it himself. Consequently, when she went out to mount her horse her steps were a little unsteady, over which the chief laughed heartily. 

It was with the greatest relief I saw them ride away. They certainly hadfurnished entertainment, but it was of a kind that would satisfy one fora long time. I was afraid they might come for dinner again the followingday, but they did not. 

Powder-Face thought that the pony Cheyenne was not a good enough horsefor me, so the morning after he was here an Indian, called Dog, appearedwith a very good animal, large and well gaited, that the chief had sentover, not as a present, but for a trade. 

We let poor Cheyenne go back to the Indians, a quantity of sugar, coffee, and such things going with him, and now I have a strawberry-roanhorse named Powder-Face. 

Chief Powder-Face, who is really not old, is respected by everyone, and has been instrumental in causing the Arapahoe nation to ceasehostilities toward white people. Some of the chiefs of lesser rank havemuch of the dignity of high-born savages, particularly Lone Wolf and hisson Big Mouth, both of whom come to see us now and then. Lone Wolf is nolonger a warrior, and of course no longer wears a scalp lock and stringsof wampum and beads, and would like to have you believe that he has everbeen the white man's friend, but I suspect that even now there mightbe brought forth an old war belt with hanging scalps that could tellof massacre, torture, and murder. Big Mouth is a war chief, and has thesame grand physique as Powder-Face and a personality almost as striking. His hair is simply splendid, wonderfully heavy and long and very glossy. His scalp lock is most artistic, and undoubtedly kept in order by asquaw. 

The picture of the two generations of chiefs is unique and rare. Itshows in detail the everyday dress of the genuine blanket Indians as wesee them here. Just how it was obtained I do not know, for Indiansdo not like a camera. We have daily visits from dozens of so-calledfriendly Indians, but I would not trust one of them. Many white peoplewho have lived among Indians and know them well declare that an Indianis always an Indian; that, no matter how fine the veneering civilizationmay have given him, there ever lies dormant the traits of the savage, ready to spring forth without warning in acts of treachery and fiendishcruelty. 

CIMARRON REDOUBT, January, 1873. 

IT was such a pleasant surprise yesterday when General Bourke drove upto the redoubt on his way to Camp Supply from dear old Fort Lyon. Hehas been ordered to relieve General Dickinson, and was taking downfurniture, his dogs, and handsome team. Of course there was an escort, and ever so many wagons, some loaded with tents and camp outfits. Weare rejoicing over the prospect of having an infantry officer in commandwhen we return to the post. The general remained for luncheon and seemedto enjoy the broiled buffalo steak very much. He said that now thereare very few buffalo in Colorado and Kansas, because of their wholesaleslaughter by white men during the past year. These men kill them for theskins only, and General Bourke said that he saw hundreds of carcasses onthe plains between Lyon and Dodge. They are boldly coming to the IndianTerritory now, and cavalry has been sent out several times to drive themfrom the reservation. 

If the Indians should attempt to protect their rights it would be calledan uprising at once, so they have to lie around on the sand hills andwatch their beloved buffalo gradually disappear, and all the time theyknow only too well that with them will go the skins that give themtepees and clothing, and the meat that furnishes almost all of theirsustenance. 

During the blizzard two weeks ago ten or twelve of these buffalo hunterswere caught out in the storm, and being unable to find their own campsthey wandered into Indian villages, each man about half dead fromexposure to the cold and hunger. All were suffering more or less fromfrozen feet and hands. In every case the Indians fed and cared for themuntil the storm was over, and then they told them to go--and go fastand far, or it would not be well with them. Faye says that it was trulynoble in the Indians to keep alive those men when they knew they hadbeen stealing so much from them. But Faye can always see more good inIndians than I can. Even a savage could scarcely kill a man when heappeals to him for protection!

There is some kind of excitement here every day--some pleasant, someotherwise--usually otherwise. The mail escort and wagon are here twonights during the week, one on the way to Fort Dodge, the other on thereturn trip, so we hear the little bits of gossip from each garrison. The long trains of army wagons drawn by mules that carry stores to thepost always camp near us one night, because of the water. 

But the most exciting times are when the big ox trains come along thatare taking oats and corn to the quartermaster for the cavalry horses andmules, for in these sacks of grain there is ever a possibility of liquorbeing found. The sergeant carefully punches the sacks from one end tothe other with a long steel very much like a rifle rammer; but so farnot a thing has been found, but this is undoubtedly because theyknow what to expect at this place now. Faye is always present at theinspection, and once I watched it a short distance away. 

When there are camps outside I always feel a little more protected fromthe Indians. I am kept awake hours every night by my uncontrollable fearof their getting on top of the parapet and cutting holes in the canvasover our very heads and getting into the room that way. A sentry issupposed to walk around the top every few minutes, but I have verylittle confidence in his protection. I really rely upon Hal more thanthe sentry to give warning, for that dog can hear the stealthy stepof an Indian when a long distance from him. And I believe he can smellthem, too. 

We bought a beautiful buffalo-calf robe for a bed for him, and thatnight I folded it down nicely and called him to it, thinking he would bedelighted with so soft and warm a bed. But no! He went to it because Icalled him and patted it, but put one foot on it he would not. He gavea little growl, and putting his tail up, walked away with great dignityand a look of having been insulted. 

Of course the skin smelled strong of the tepee and Indians. We sunnedand aired it for days, and Farrar rubbed the fur with camphor and otherthings to destroy the Indian odor, and after much persuading and anyamount of patience on our part, Hal finally condescended to use therobe. He now considers it the finest thing on earth, and keeps closewatch of it at all times. 

We have visits from Indians every day, and this variation from themonotony is not agreeable to me, but Faye goes out and has long powwowswith them. They do not hesitate to ask for things, and the more you givethe more you may. 

The other morning Faye saw a buffalo calf not far from the redoubt, anddecided to go for it, as we, also the men, were in need of fresh meat. So he started off on Powder-Face, taking only a revolver with him. Iwent outside to watch him ride off, and just as the calf disappearedover a little hill and he after it, an Indian rode down the bluff at theright, and about the same distance away as I thought Faye might be, andstarted in a canter straight across in the direction Faye had gone. Verysoon he, also, was back of the little hill and out of sight. 

I ran inside and called the sergeant, and was trying to explain thesituation to him as briefly as possible when he, without waiting for meto finish, got his rifle and cartridge belt, and ordering a coupleof men to follow, started off on a hard run in the direction I haddesignated. As soon as they reached the top of the hill they saw Faye, and saw also that the Indian was with him. The men went on over slowly, but stopped as soon as they got within rifle range of Faye, for ofcourse the Indian would never have attempted mischief when he knew thatthe next instant he would be riddled with bullets. The Indian was facingthe soldiers and saw them at once, but they were at Faye's back, so hedid not know they were there until he turned to come home. 

Faye says that the Indian was quite near before he saw him at all, as hehad not been thinking of Indians in his race after the little buffalo. He came up and said "How!" of course, and then by signs asked to seeFaye's revolver, which has an ivory handle with nickel barrel andtrimmings, all of which the Indian saw at once, and decided to make hisown without loss of time, and then by disarming Faye he would be masterof things generally. 

Faye pulled the pistol from its holster and held it out for the Indianto look at, but with a tight grip on the handle and finger on trigger, the muzzle pointed straight to his treacherous heart. This did notdisturb the Indian in the least, for he grasped the barrel and with atwist of the wrist tried to jerk it down and out of Faye's hand. Butthis he failed to do, so, with a sarcastic laugh, he settled himselfback on his pony to await a more favorable time when he could catch Fayeoff guard. He wanted that glistening pistol, and he probably wanted thefat pony also. And thus they sat facing each other for several minutes, the Indian apparently quite indifferent to pistols and all things, and Faye on the alert to protect himself against the first move oftreachery. 

It would have been most unsafe for Faye to have turned from the craftysavage, and just how long the heart-to-heart interview might have lastedor what would have happened no one can tell if the coming in sightof the soldiers with their long guns had not caused him to change histactics. After a while he grunted "How!" again, and, assuming an air ofgreat contempt for soldiers, guns, and shiny pistols, rode away and soondisappeared over the bluff. There was only the one Indian in sight, but, as the old sergeant said, "there might have been a dozen red devils justover the bluff!"

One never knows when the "red devils" are near, for they hide themselvesback of a bunch of sage brush, and their ponies, whose hoofs are nevershod, can get over the ground very swiftly and steal upon you almost asnoiselessly as their owners. It is needless to say that we did not havefresh buffalo that day! And the buffalo calf ran on to the herd whollyunconscious of his narrow escape. 

We expect to return to Camp Supply in a few days, and in many ways Ishall be sorry to leave this place. It is terrible to be so isolated, when one thinks about it, especially if one should be ill. I shall missMiss Dickinson in the garrison very much, and our daily rides together. General Dickinson and his family passed here last week on their way tohis new station. 

CAMP SUPPLY, INDIAN TERRITORY, February, 1873. 

UPON our return from the Cimarron we found a dear, clean house allready for us to move into. It was a delightful surprise, and after thewretched huts we have been living in ever since we came to this post, the house with its white walls and board floors seems like fairyland. Itis made of vertical logs of course, the same as the other quarters, butthese have been freshly chinked, and covered on the inside with canvas. General Bourke ordered the quartermaster to fix the house for us, and Iam glad that Major Knox was the one to receive the order, for I have notforgotten how disagreeable he was about the fixing up of our first househere. One can imagine how he must have fumed over the issuing of so muchcanvas, boards, and even the nails for the quarters of only a secondlieutenant!

Many changes have been made during the few weeks General Bourke has beenhere, the most important having been the separating of the white troopsfrom the colored when on guard duty. The officers and men of the coloredcavalry have not liked this, naturally, but it was outrageous to putwhite and black in the same little guard room, and colored sergeantsover white corporals and privates. It was good cause for desertion. Butall that is at an end now. General Dickinson is no longer commandingofficer, and best of all, the colored troops have been ordered toanother department, and the two troops of white cavalry that are torelieve them are here now and in camp not far from the post, waiting forthe barracks to be vacated. 

We have felt very brave since the camp has been established, and twodays ago several of us drove over to a Cheyenne village that is a mileor so up the creek. But soon after we got there we did not feel a bitbrave, for we had not been out of the ambulance more than five minutes, when one of their criers came racing in on a very wet pony, and rodelike mad in and out among the tepees, all the time screaming somethingat the top of his voice. 

Instantly there was a jabbering by all of them and great commotion. EachIndian talked and there seemed to be no one to listen. Several tepeeswere taken down wonderfully quick, and a number of ponies were hurriedin, saddled, and ridden away at race speed, a few squaws wailing as theywatched them go, guns in their hands. Other squaws stood around lookingat us, and showing intense hatred through their wicked eyes. It was soondiscovered by all of us that the village was really not attractive, andfour scared women came back to the garrison as fast as government mulescould bring them! What was the cause of so much excitement we willprobably never know--and of course we should not have gone there withoutan officer, and yet, what could one man have done against all thosesavages!

We were honored by a visit from a chief the other day. He was a Cheyennefrom the village, presumably, and his name was White Horse. He musthave been born a chief for he was young, very dignified, and verygood-looking, too, for an Indian. Of course his face was painted in ahideous way, but his leggings and clothing generally were far moretidy than those of most Indians. His chest was literally covered withpolished teeth of animals, beads, and wampum, arranged artistically ina sort of breastplate, and his scalp lock, which had evidently beenplaited with much care, was ornamented with a very beautiful longfeather. 

Fortunately Faye was at home when he came, for he walked right in, unannounced, except the usual "How!" Faye gave him a chair, and this heplaced in the middle of the room in a position so he could watch bothdoors, and then his rifle was laid carefully upon the floor at his rightside. He could speak his name, but not another word of English, so, thinking to entertain him, Faye reached for a rifle that was standing inone corner of the room to show him, as it was of a recent make. Althoughthe rifle was almost at the Indian's back the suspicious savage sawwhat Faye was doing, and like a flash he seized his own gun and laid itacross his knees, all the time looking straight at Faye to see what heintended to do next. Not a muscle of his race moved, but his eyes werewonderful, brilliant, and piercing, and plainly said, "Go ahead, I'mready!"

I saw the whole performance and was wondering if I had not better runfor assistance, when Faye laughed, and motioned the Indian to put hisrifle down again, at the same time pulling the trigger of his own toassure him that it was not loaded. This apparently satisfied him, but hedid not put his gun back on the floor, but let it rest across his kneesall the time he sat there. And that was for the longest time--and neveronce did he change his position, turn his head, or, as we could see, move an eyelid! But nevertheless he made one feel that it was notnecessary for him to turn his head--that it was all eyes, that he couldsee up and down and across and could read one's very thoughts, too. 

The Indian from whom we bought Powder-Face--his name is Dog, you willremember--has found us out, and like a dog comes every day for somethingto eat. He always walks right into the kitchen; if the door is closed heopens it. If he is not given things he stands around with the greatestpatience, giving little grunts now and then, and watches Farraruntil the poor soldier becomes worn out and in self-defense gives himsomething, knowing full well all the time that trouble is being storedup for the next day. The Indian never seems cross, but smiles ateverything, which is most unusual in a savage. 

With the white cavalry is a classmate of Faye's, Lieutenant Isham, and yesterday I went out to camp with him and rode his horse, a large, spirited animal. It was the horse's first experience with a side saddle, and at first he objected to the habit and jumped around and snortedquite a little, but he soon saw that I was really not a dangerous personand quieted down. 

As Lieutenant Isham and I were cantering along at a nice brisk gait wemet Faye, who was returning from the camp on Powder-Face, and it couldbe plainly seen that he disapproved of my mount. But he would not turnback with us, however, and we went on to camp without him. There issomething very fascinating about a military camp--it is always soprecise and trim--the little tents for the men pitched in long straightlines, each one looking as though it had been given especial attention, and with all things is the same military precision and neatness. It wasafternoon stables and we rode around to the picket lines to watch thehorses getting their grooming. 

When I got home Faye was quick to tell me that I would certainly bekilled if I continued to ride every untrained horse that came along! Nota very pleasant prospect for me; but I told him that I did not want tomortify him and myself, too, by refusing to mount horses that his ownclassmates, particularly those in the cavalry, asked me to ride, andthat I knew very well he would much prefer to see me on a spiritedanimal than a "gentle ladies' horse" that any inexperienced rider couldmanage. So we decided that the horse, after all, was not a viciousbeast, and I am to ride him again to-morrow. 

Last evening we gave a delightful little dance in the hall in honor ofthe officers and their wives who are to go, and the officers who havecome. We all wore our most becoming gowns, and anyone unacquainted witharmy life on the frontier would have been surprised to see what handsomedresses can be brought forth, even at this far-away post, when occasiondemands. There are two very pretty girls from the East visiting in thegarrison, and several of the wives of officers are young and attractive, and the mingling of the pretty faces and bright-colored dresses with thedark blue and gold of the uniforms made a beautiful scene. It is not inthe least surprising that girls become so silly over brass buttons. Eventhe wives get silly over them sometimes!

CAMP SUPPLY, INDIAN TERRITORY, April, 1873. 

IN the last mail Faye heard from his application for transfer to anothercompany, and the order will be issued as soon as the lieutenant in thatcompany has been promoted, which will be in a few weeks. This willtake us back to Fort Lyon with old friends, and Faye to a company whosecaptain is a gentleman. He was one of Faye's instructors at West Point. 

I have a new horse--and a lively one, too--so lively that I have notridden him yet. He was a present from Lieutenant Isham, and the way inwhich he happened to possess him makes a pretty little story. The troophad been sent out on a scout, and was on its way back to the post to bepaid, when one evening this pony trotted into camp and at once triedto be friendly with the cavalry horses, but the poor thing was sofrightfully hideous with its painted coat the horses would not permithim to come near them for some time. But the men caught him and broughthim on to the stables, where there was trouble at once, for almost everyman in the troop claimed ownership. So it was finally decided by thecaptain that as soon as the troop had been paid the horse should beraffled, that each man in that one troop could have the privilege ofbuying a chance at one dollar, and that the money should go in the troopfund. This arrangement delighted the men, as it promised something newin the way of a frolic. 

In due time the paymaster arrived, the men were paid, and then in a fewminutes there was brisk business going on over at the quarters ofthe troop! Every enlisted man in the troop--sergeants, corporals, andprivates, eighty-four in all--bought a chance, thus making a finesum for the fund. A private won the horse, of whom Lieutenant Ishamimmediately bought him and presented him to me. 

He is about fifteen hands high and not in the least of a pony build, butis remarkably slender, with fine head and large intelligent eyes. Justwhat his color is we do not know, for he is stained in red-brown stripesall over his body, around his legs, and on his face, but we think he isa light gray. When he wandered to camp, a small bell was tied aroundhis neck with a piece of red flannel, and this, with his having been socarefully stained, indicates almost conclusively that he was a pet. Someof the soldiers insist that he was a race pony, because he is not onlyvery swift, but has been taught to take three tremendous jumps at thevery beginning of his run, which gives him an immense advantage, butwhich his rider may sometimes fail to appreciate. These jumps are oftentaught the Indian race ponies. The horse is gentle with Faye and iscertainly graceful, but he is hard to hold and inclined to bolt, so Iwill not try him until he becomes more civilized. 

The Indians are very bold again. A few days ago Lieutenant Golden was into luncheon, and while we were at the table we saw several Kiowas rushacross the creek and stampede five or six horses that belonged to ourmilkman, who has a ranch just outside the garrison. In a few minutes anorderly appeared with an order for Lieutenant Golden and ten men to goafter them without delay, and bring the horses back. 

Of course he started at once, and chased those Indians all theafternoon, and got so close to them once or twice that they saw thenecessity of lightening the weight on their tired ponies, and threw offtheir old saddles and all sorts of things, even little bags of shot, butall the time they held on to their guns and managed to keep the stolenhorses ahead of them. They had extra ponies, too, that they swungthemselves over on when the ridden beasts began to lag a little. Whennight came on Lieutenant Golden was compelled to give up the chase, andhad to return to the post without having recovered one of the stolenhorses. 

One never knows here what dreadful things may come up any moment. Everything was quiet and peaceful when we sat down to luncheon, yet inless than ten minutes we saw the rush of the Indians and the stampede ofthe milkman's horses right from our dining-room window. The horses wereclose to the post too. Splendid cavalry horses were sent after them, but it requires a very swift horse to overtake those tough little Indianponies at any time, and the Kiowas probably were on their best ponieswhen they stampeded the horses, for they knew, undoubtedly, that cavalrywould soon be after them. 

DODGE CITY, KANSAS, June, 1873. 

WE reached this place yesterday, expecting to take the cars this morningfor Granada, but the servant who was to have come from Kansas City onthat train will not be here until to-morrow. When the time came to saygood-by, I was sorry to leave a number of the friends at Camp Supply, particularly Mrs. Hunt, with whom we stayed the last few days, while wewere packing. Everyone was at the ambulance to see us off--except thePhillips family. 

We were three days coming up, because of one or two delays the veryfirst day. One of the wagons broke down soon after we left the post, and an hour or so was lost in repairing it, and at Buffalo Creek we weredelayed a long time by an enormous herd of buffalo. It was a sight thatprobably we will never see again. The valley was almost black with thebig animals, and there must have been hundreds and hundreds of them oneither side of the road. They seemed very restless, and were constantlymoving about instead of grazing upon the buffalo grass, which isunusually fine along that valley, and this made us suspect that they hadbeen chased and hunted until the small bands had been driven togetherinto one big herd. Possibly the hunters had done this themselves, sothe slaughter could be the greater and the easier. It is remarkable thatsuch grand-looking beasts should have so little sense as to invariablycross the road right in front of moving teams, and fairly challengeone to make targets of them. It was this crossing of large numbers thatdetained us so long yesterday. 

When we got out about fifteen miles on the road, an Apache Indianappeared, and so suddenly that it seemed as if he must have sprung upfrom the ground. He was in full war dress--that is, no dress at allexcept the breech clout and moccasins--and his face and whole naked bodywere stained in many colors in the most hideous manner. In his scalplock was fastened a number of eagle feathers, and of course he wore twoor three necklaces of beads and wampum. There was nothing unusualabout the pony he was riding, except that it was larger and inbetter condition than the average Indian horse, but the one he wasleading--undoubtedly his war horse--was a most beautiful animal, one ofthe most beautiful I ever saw. 

The Apache evidently appreciated the horse, for he had stained only hisface, but this had been made quite as frightful as that of the Indian. The pony was of a bright cream color, slender, and with a perfect headand small ears, and one could see that he was quick and agile in everymovement. He was well groomed, too. The long, heavy mane had been partedfrom ears to withers, and then twisted and roped on either side withstrips of some red stuff that ended in long streamers, which were blownout in a most fantastic way when the pony was running. The long tailwas roped only enough to fasten at the top a number of strips of the redthat hung almost to the ground over the hair. Imagine all this savagehideousness rushing upon you--on a yellow horse with a mane of wavingred! His very presence on an ordinary trotting pony was enough to freezethe blood in one's veins. 

That he was a spy was plainly to be seen, and we knew also that his bandwas probably not far away. He seemed in very good spirits, asked for"tobac, " and rode along with us some distance--long enough to make acareful estimate of our value and our strength. Finally he left us anddisappeared over the hills. Then the little escort of ten men receivedorders from Faye to be on the alert, and hold themselves and theirrifles ready for a sudden attack. 

We rode on and on, hoping to reach the Cimarron Redoubt before dark, butthat had to be given up and camp was made at Snake Creek, ten miles theother side. Not one Indian had been seen on the road except the Apache, and this made us all the more uncomfortable. Snake Creek was where thetwo couriers were shot by Indians last summer, and that did not add toour feelings of security--at least not mine. We were in a little coulee, too, where it would have been an easy matter for Indians to have sneakedupon us. No one in the camp slept much that night, and most of the menwere walking post to guard the animals. And those mules! I never heardmules, and horses also, sneeze and cough and make so much unnecessarynoise as those animals made that night. And Hal acted like a crazydog--barking and growling and rushing out of the tent every two minutes, terrifying me each time with the fear that he might have heard thestealthy step of a murderous savage. 

Everyone lived through the night, however, but we were all glad to makean early start, so before daylight we were on the road. The old sergeantagreed with Faye in thinking that we were in a trap at the camp, andshould move on early. We did not stop at the Redoubt, but I saw as wepassed that the red curtains were still at the little window. 

It seems that we are not much more safe in this place than we were incamp in an Indian country. The town is dreadful and has the reputationof being one of the very worst in the West since the railroad has beenbuilt. They say that gamblers and all sorts of "toughs" follow a newroad. After breakfast this morning we started for a walk to give Hal alittle run, but when we got to the office the hotel proprietor told usthat the dog must be led, otherwise he would undoubtedly be stolen rightbefore our eyes. Faye said: "No one would dare do such a thing; I wouldhave him arrested. " But the man said there was no one here who wouldmake the arrest, as there certainly would be two or more revolvers toargue with first, and in any case the dog would be lost to us, for ifthe thief saw that he could not hold him the dog would undoubtedly beshot. Just imagine such a thing! So Hal was led by his chain, but helooked so abused and miserable, and I was so frightened and nervous, ourouting was short, and here we are shut up in our little room. 

We can see the car track from the window, and I wonder how it will seemto go over in a car, the country that we came across in wagons onlyone year ago. From Granada we will go to the post in an ambulance, adistance of forty or more miles. But a ride of fifty miles over theseplains has no terrors for me now. The horses, furniture, and otherthings went on in a box car this morning. It is very annoying to bedetained here so long, and I am a little worried about that girl. Thetelegram says she was too sick to start yesterday. 

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, June, 1873. 

IT has been impossible for me to write before, for I have been more thanbusy, both day and night, ever since we got here. The servant for whomwe waited at Dodge City, and who I had hoped would be a great assistanceto me in getting settled, came to us very ill--almost too ill to bebrought over from Granada. But we could not leave her there with no oneto take care of her, and of course I could not remain with her, so therewas nothing else to be done--we had to bring her along. We had acceptedMrs. Wilder's invitation to stay with them a few days until we could getsettled a little, but all that was changed when we got here, for we wereobliged to come directly to our own house, unpack camp bedding and themess chest, and do the best we could for ourselves and the sick girl. 

The post surgeon told us as soon as he had examined the girl that shehad tuberculosis in almost its last stage, and that she was threatenedwith double pneumonia! So you can imagine what I have been through inthe way of nursing, for there was no one in the garrison who would cometo assist me. The most unpleasant part of it all is, the girl is mostungrateful for all that is being done for her, and finds fault withmany things. She has admitted to the doctor that she came to us forher health; that as there are only two in the family, she thought therewould be so little for her to do she could ride horseback and be out ofdoors most of the time! What a nice arrangement it would have been--thisfine lady sitting out on our lawn or riding one of our horses, and Iin the kitchen preparing the dinner, and then at the end of the monthhumbly begging her to accept a little check for thirty dollars!

We have an excellent soldier cook, but the care of that miserable girlfalls upon me, and the terrible experience we passed through at DodgeCity has wholly unfitted me for anything of the kind. The second nightwe were there, about one o'clock, we were awakened by loud talking andsounds of people running; then shots were fired very near, and instantlythere were screams of agony, "I'm shot! I'm shot!" from some personwho was apparently coming across the street, and who fell directlyunderneath our window. We were in a little room on the second floor, andits one window was raised far up, which made it possible for us to hearthe slightest sound or movement outside. 

The shooting was kept up until after the man was dead, many of thebullets hitting the side of the hotel. It was simply maddening to haveto stay in that room and be compelled to listen to the moans and deathgurgle of that murdered man, and hear him cry, "Oh, my lassie, my poorlassie!" as he did over and over again, until he could no longer speak. It seemed as though every time he tried to say one word, there was thereport of a pistol. After he was really dead we could hear the fiendsrunning off, and then other people came and carried the body away. 

The shooting altogether did not last longer than five or ten minutes, and at almost the first shot we could hear calls all over the wretchedlittle town of "Vigilante! Vigilante!" and knew that the vigilantes weregathering, but before they could get together the murderous work hadbeen finished. All the time there had been perfect silence throughoutthe hotel. The proprietor told us that he got up, but that it would havebeen certain death if he or anyone else had opened a door. 

Hal was on the floor in a corner of our room, and began to growl afterthe very first scream, and I was terrified all the time for fear hewould go to the open window and attract the attention of those murderersbelow, who would undoubtedly have commenced firing at the window andperhaps have killed all of us. But the moans of the dying man frightenedthe dog awfully, and he crawled under the bed, where he stayed duringthe rest of the horrible night. The cause of all the trouble seems tohave been that a colored man undertook to carry in his wagon three orfour men from Dodge City to Fort Dodge, a distance of five miles, butwhen he got out on the road a short distance he came to the conclusion, from their talk, that they were going to the post for evil purposes, and telling them that he would take them no farther, he turned his teamaround to come back home. On the way back the men must have threatenedhim, for when he got in town he drove to the house of some coloredpeople who live on a corner across from the hotel and implored them tolet him in, but they were afraid and refused to open the door, for bythat time the men were shooting at him. 

The poor man ran across the street, leaving a trail of blood thatstreamed from his wounds, and was brutally killed under our window. Early the next morning, when we crossed the street to go to the cars, the darky's mule was lying on the ground, dead, near the corner of thehotel, and stuck on one long ear was the murdered man's hat. Soon afterwe reached Granada a telegram was received giving an account of theaffair, and saying also that in less than one half hour after the trainhad passed through, Dodge City was surrounded by troops of United Statescavalry from Fort Dodge, that the entire town was searched for themurderers, but that not even a trace of one had been discovered. 

When I got inside a car the morning after that awful, awful night, itwas with a feeling that I was leaving behind me all such things and thatby evening I would be back once more at our old army home and awayfrom hostile Indians, and hostile desperadoes too. But when I saw thatservant girl with the pale, emaciated face and flushed cheeks, so illshe could barely sit up, my heart went down like lead and Indians seemedsmall trials in comparison to what I saw ahead of me. 

Well, she will go in a few days, and then I can give the house someattention. The new furniture and china are all here, but nothing hasbeen done in the way of getting settled. The whole coming back has beencruelly disappointing, and I am so tired and nervous I am afraid of myown shadow. So after a while I think I will go East for a few weeks, which I know you will be glad to hear. 

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, August, 1873. 

WE have just come in from a drive to the Purgatoire with Colonel Knightbehind his handsome horses. It makes me sad, always, to go over thatfamiliar road and to scenes that are so closely associated with mylearning to ride and shoot when we were here before. The small tree thatwas my target is dead but still standing, and on it are several littlepieces of the white paper bull's eyes that Faye and Lieutenant Baldwintacked on it for me. 

We often see poor Tom. The post trader bought him after LieutenantBaldwin's death, so the dear horse would always have good care and notbe made to bring and carry for a cruel master. He wanders about as hechooses and is fat, but the coat that was once so silky and glossy isnow dull and faded, and the horse looks spiritless and dejected. PoorTom! The greyhound, Magic, still remembers their many, many huntstogether when the horse would try to outrun the dog, and the hound oftengoes out to make him little visits, and the sight is pathetic. Thatbig dog of the chaplain's is still here, and how the good man canconscientiously have him about, I cannot understand. 

Colonel Knight has two large dogs also, but they are shut in the stablemost of the time to guard his pair of valuable horses. The horses arenot particularly fast or spirited, but they are very beautiful andperfectly matched in color and gait. 

Ever since Hal has been old enough to run with a horse, he has alwaysgone with me riding or driving. So the first time we drove with ColonelKnight I called Hal to go with us and he ran out of the house and overthe fence with long joyful bounds, to be instantly pounced upon, androlled over into the acequia by the two big dogs of Colonel Knight'sthat I had not even heard of! Hal has splendid fighting blood and hasnever shown cowardice, but he is still a young dog and inexperienced, and no match for even one old fighter, and to have two notoriouslysavage, bloodthirsty beasts gnawing at him as though he was a bone wasterrible. But Hal apparently never thought of running from them, andafter the one howl of surprise gave his share of vicious growls andsnaps. But the old dogs were protected by their heavy hair, while Hal'sshort coat and fine skin were easily torn. 

We all rushed to his rescue, for it looked as though he would be torn inpieces, and when I saw a long cut in his tender skin I was frantic. Butfinally the two black dogs were pulled off and Hal was dragged out ofthe ditch and back to the house, holding back and growling all the time, which showed plainly he was not satisfied with the way the affair hadended. The drive that day I did not enjoy!

Hal was not torn so deeply as to have unsightly scars, for which I wasthankful. From that day on, however, he not only hated those dogs, but disliked the man who cares for them, and seemed to consider himresponsible for their very existence. And it was wonderful that heshould recognize Cressy's step on the ground as he passed at the side ofour house. Several times when he would be stretched out on the floor, to all appearances fast asleep, I have seen him open his eyes wide andgrowl when the man and dogs were passing, although it was perfectlyimpossible for him to have seen them. 

One morning about ten days ago when I was on the second floor, I heardan awful noise downstairs--whines, growls, and howls all so mingledtogether one would have thought there were a dozen dogs in the house. I ran down to see what could possibly be the matter, and found Hal at awindow in the dining room that looked out on the back yard, every hairon his brindled back standing straight up and each white tooth showing. Looking out I saw that Turk, the more savage of the two black dogs, wasin the yard and could not get out over the high board fence. Cressywas probably on guard that day, and sentry over the prisoners who hadbrought water. The dog must have followed him in and then managed to getleft. 

Hal looked up at me, and for one instant kept perfectly still, waitingto see what I would do. His big brown eyes were almost human in theirbeseeching, and plainly said, "You cannot have forgotten--you willsurely let me out!" And let him out I did. I opened the doors leadingto the yard, and almost pushing me over he rushed to the black dog withgreat leaps and the most blood-curdling growls, jumping straight overhim, then around him, then over him again and again, and so like awhirlwind, the poor black beast was soon crazy, for snap as fast as hemight, it was ever at the clear, beautiful air. Hal was always just outof reach. 

After he had worried the dog all he wanted to Hal proceeded to business. With a greyhound trick, he swung himself around with great force andknocked the big dog flat upon the ground, and holding him down with histwo paws he pulled out mouthful after mouthful of long hair, throwing itout of his mouth right and left. If the dog attempted to raise his bighead Hal was quick to give a wicked snap that made the head fall downagain. When I saw that Hal had actually conquered the dog and had provedthat he-was the splendid hound I had ever considered him to be, I toldWest to go out at once and separate them. But for the very first timeWest was slow--he went like a snail. It seemed that one of the dogs hadsnapped at his leg once, and I believe he would have been delighted ifHal had gnawed the dog flesh and bone. He pulled Hal in by his collarand opened the gate for Turk, and soon things were quite once more. 

All that day Hal's eyes were like stars, and one could almost see a grinon his mouth. He was ever on the alert, and would frequently look out onthe yard, wag his tail and growl. The strangest thing about it all is, that not once since that morning has he paid the slightest attention toCressy or the two dogs, except to growl a little when they have happenedto meet. Turk must have told his companion about the fight, for he, too, finds attractions in another direction when he sees Hal coming. 

Some of our friends have found pleasure in teasing me about my sportingtaste, private arena, and so on, but I do not mind so very much, sincethe fight brought about peace, and proved that Hal has plenty of pluck. Those two Knight dogs are looked upon as savage wolves by every motherin the garrison, and when it is known that they are out, mothers andnurses run to gather in their small people. 

Hal has developed a taste for hunting that has been giving troublelately, when he has run off with Magic and the other hounds. So now heis chained until after guard mounting, by which time the pack has gone. The signal officer of the department was here the other day when Fayeand men from the company were out signaling, and after luncheon I toldWest to go out to him on Powder-Face and lead King, so he could ridethe horse in, instead of coming in the wagon with the men. Late in theafternoon West came back and reported that he had been unable to findFaye, and then with much hesitation and choking he told me that he hadlost Hal!

He said that as they had gone up a little hill, they had surprised asmall band of antelope that were grazing rather near on the other side, and that the hound started after them like a streak, pulling one downbefore they had crossed the lowland, and then, not being satisfied, he had raced on again after the band that had disappeared over a hillfarther on. That was the last he saw of him. West said that he wantedto bring the dead antelope to the post, but could not, as both horsesobjected to it. 

My heart was almost broken over the loss of my dog, and I started for myown room to indulge in a good cry when, as I passed the front door thatwas open, I happened to look out, and there, squatted down on the walkto the gate was Hal! I ran out to pet him, but drew back in horror whenI saw the condition he was in. His long nose and all of his white chestwere covered with a thick coating of coarse antelope hair plastered inwith dried blood. The dog seemed too tired to move, and sat there witha listless, far-away look that made me wish he could tell all about hishunt, and if he had lost the second poor little antelope. West almostdanced from joy when he saw him, and lost no time in giving him a bathand putting him in his warm bed. Greyhounds are often great martyrs torheumatism, and Deacon, one of the pack, will sometimes howl from painafter a hunt. And the howl of a greyhound is far-reaching and somethingto be remembered. 

Very soon now I will be with you! Faye has decided to close the houseand live with the bachelors while I am away. This will be much morepleasant for him than staying here all alone. 

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, October, 1873. 

THE trip out was tiresome and seemed endless, but nothing worthmentioning happened until I got to Granada, where Faye met me with anambulance and escort wagon. It was after two o'clock in the morning whenthe train reached the station, and as it is the terminus of the road, every passenger left the car. I waited a minute for Faye to come in, butas he did not I went out also, feeling that something was wrong. 

Just as I stepped off the car, Mr. Davis, quartermaster's clerk, appeared and took my satchel, assuring me that Faye was right therewaiting for me. This was so very unlike Faye's way of doing things, thatat once I suspected that the real truth was not being told. But I wentwith him quickly through the little crowd, and on up the platform, andthen I saw Faye. He was standing at one corner of the building--allalone, and I recognized him instantly by the long light-blue overcoatand big campaign hat with brim turned up. 

And I saw also, standing on the corner of the platform in front of him, a soldier with rifle in hand, and on the end of it glistening in themoonlight was a long bayonet! I had lived with troops long enough toknow that the bayonet would not be there unless the soldier was a sentryguarding somebody or something. I naturally turned toward Faye, but washeld back by Mr. Davis, and that made me indignant, but Faye at oncesaid quietly and in a voice just loud enough for me to hear, "Get inthe ambulance and ask no questions!" And still he did not move fromthe corner. By this time I was terribly frightened and more and morepuzzled. Drawn up close to the farther side of the platform was anambulance, also an escort wagon, in which sat several soldiers, andhanding my trunk checks to Mr. Davis, I got, into the ambulance, myteeth chattering as though I had a chill. 

The very instant the trunks were loaded Faye and the sentry came, andafter ordering the corporal to keep his wagon and escort close to us, and telling me to drop down in the bottom of the ambulance if I hearda shot, Faye got on the ambulance also, but in front with the driver. Leaning forward, I saw that one revolver was in his hand and the otheron the seat by his side. In this way, and in perfect silence, we rodethrough the town and until we were well out on the open plain, when westopped just long enough for Faye to get inside, and a soldier from thewagon to take his seat by the driver. 

Then Faye told me of what had occurred to make necessary all theseprecautions. He had come over from Fort Lyon the day before, and hadbeen with Major Carroll, the depot quartermaster, during the afternoonand evening. The men had established a little camp just at the edge ofthe miserable town where the mules could be guarded and cared for. 

About nine o'clock Faye and Mr. Davis started out for a walk, but beforethey had gone far Faye remembered that he had left his pistols andcartridge belt on a desk in the quartermaster's office, and fearingthey might be stolen they went back for them. He put the pistols onunderneath his heavy overcoat, as the belt was quite too short to fastenoutside. 

Well, he and Mr. Davis walked along slowly in the bright moonlight pastthe many saloons and gambling places, never once thinking of danger, when suddenly from a dark passageway a voice said, "You are the man Iwant, " and bang! went a pistol shot close to Faye's head--so close, infact, that as he ducked his head down, when he saw the pistol pointed athim, the rammer slot struck his temple and cut a deep hole that at oncebled profusely. Before Faye could get out one of his own pistols fromunderneath the long overcoat, another shot was fired, and then awayskipped Mr. Davis, leaving Faye standing alone in the brilliantmoonlight. As soon as Faye commenced to shoot, his would-be assassincame out from the dark doorway and went slowly along the walk, takinggood care, however, to keep himself well in the shadow of the buildings. 

They went on down the street shooting back and forth at each other, Fayewondering all the time why he could not hit the man. Once he got him infront of a restaurant window where there was a bright light back ofhim, and, taking careful aim, he thought the affair could be ended rightthere, but the ball whizzed past the man and went crashing throughthe window and along the tables, sending broken china right and left. Finally their pistols were empty, and Faye drew out a second, at thesight of which the man started to run and disappeared in the shadows. 

As soon as the shooting ceased men came out from all sorts of places, and there was soon a little crowd around Faye, asking many questions, but he and Major Carroll went to a drug store, where his wounds could bedressed. For some time it was thought there must be a ball in the deephole in his temple. When Faye had time to think he understood why he haddone such poor shooting. He is an almost sure shot, but always holds hispistol in his left hand, and of course aims with his left eye. But thatnight his left eye was filled with blood the very first thing from thewound in his left temple, which forced him unconsciously to aim with hisright eye, which accounts for the wild shots. 

The soldiers heard of the affair in camp, and several came up on a runand stood guard at the drug store. A rumor soon got around that Oliverhad gone off to gather some of his friends, and they would soon be atthe store to finish the work. Very soon, however, a strange man came in, much excited, and said, "Lieutenant! Oliver's pals are getting readyto attack you at the depot as the train comes in, " and out he went. Thetrain was due at two o'clock A. M. , and this caused Faye four hours ofanxiety. He learned that the man who shot at him was "Billy Oliver, " ahorse thief and desperado of the worst type, and that he was the leaderof a band of horse thieves that was then in town. To be threatened bymen like those was bad enough in itself, but Faye knew that I wouldarrive on that train. That was the cause of so much caution when thetrain came in. There were several rough-looking men at the station, butif they had intended mischief, the long infantry rifles in the hands ofdrilled soldiers probably persuaded them to attend to their own affairs. A man told the corporal, however, that Oliver's friends had decided notto kill Faye at the station, but had gone out on horseback to meet himon the road. This was certainly misery prolonged. 

The mules were driven through the town at an ordinary gait, but when wegot on the plain they were put at a run, and for miles we came at thatpace. The little black shaved-tails pulled the ambulance, and I thinkthat for once they had enough run. The moonlight was wonderfully bright, and for a long distance objects could be seen, and bunches of sage bushand Spanish bayonet took the forms of horsemen, and naturally I sawdanger in every little thing we passed. 

One thing occurred that night that deserves mentioning. Some one toldthe soldiers that Oliver was hidden in a certain house, and one of them, a private, started off without leave, and all alone for that house. Whenhe got there the entire building was dark, not a light in it, exceptthat of the moon which streamed in through two small windows. But thegritty soldier went boldly in and searched every little room and everylittle corner, even the cellar, but not a living thing was found. It mayhave been brave, but it was a dreadful thing for the trooper to do, forhe so easily could have been murdered in the darkness, and Faye andthe soldiers never have known what had become of him. Colonel Bisselldeclares that the man shall be made a corporal upon the first vacancy. 

The man Oliver was in the jail at Las Animas last summer for stealinghorses. The old jail was very shaky, and while it was being mademore secure, he and another man--a wife murderer--were brought tothe guardhouse at this post. They finally took them back, and Oliverpromptly made his escape, and the sheriff had actually been afraid tore-arrest him. We have all begged Faye to get out a warrant for the man, but he says it would simply be a farce, that the sheriff would pay noattention to it. The whole left side of Faye's face is badly swollen andvery painful, and the wound in his ankle compels him to use a cane. Just how the man managed to shoot Faye in the ankle no one seems tounderstand. 

Granada must be a terrible place! The very afternoon Faye was there aMexican was murdered in the main street, but not the slightest attentionwas paid to the shooting--everything went right on as though it was aneveryday occurrence. The few respectable people are afraid even to tryto keep order. 

Dodge City used to be that way and there was a reign of terror in thetown, until finally the twelve organized vigilantes became desperateand took affairs in their own hands. They notified six of the leadingdesperadoes that they must be out of the place by a certain day andhour. Four went, but two were defiant and remained. When the specifiedhour had passed, twelve double-barreled shotguns were loaded withbuckshot, and in a body the vigilantes hunted these men down as theywould mad dogs and riddled each one through and through with the bigshot! It was an awful thing to do, but it seems to have been absolutelynecessary and the only way of establishing law and order. Our friendsat Fort Dodge tell us that the place is now quite decent, and that aman can safely walk in the streets without pistols and a belt full ofcartridges. 

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, October, 1873. 

ONE naturally looks for all sorts of thrilling experiences when outon the frontier, but to have men and things mix themselves up in amaddening way in one's very own house, as has recently been done inmine, is something not usually counted upon. To begin with, Mrs. Rae iswith us, and her coming was not only most unlocked for up to two daysago, but through a wretched mistake in a telegram she got here justtwenty-four hours before we thought she would arrive. Ordinarily thiswould have been a delightful surprise, but, unfortunately, things hadbegun to "mix!"

Faye had suffered so much from the wound in his head that very littleattention had been given the house since my return from the East, therefore it was not in the very best of order. It was closed during mytwo months' absence, as Faye had lived down with the bachelors. The veryday that Mrs. Rae came the quartermaster had sent a man to repair one ofthe chimneys, and plaster and dirt had been left in my room, the one Ihad intended Mrs. Rae to occupy. And then, to make matters just as badas possible, there was a sand storm late in the afternoon that had, ofcourse, sifted dust over all things. 

But this was not all! My nerves had not recovered from the shock atGranada, and had given out entirely that day just before dinner, andhad sent me to bed with an uncomfortable chill. Still, I was notdisheartened. Before I went East many things had been put away, but Westhad unpacked and polished the silver several days before, and the glasswas shining and the china closets in perfect order, all of which hadbeen attended to with my own hands. Besides, the wife of one of thesergeants was to come the next morning to dust and clean the littlehouse from top to bottom, so there was really nothing to worry about, as everything would be in order long before time for the stage to arrivethat would bring Mrs. Rae. 

But after the chill came a fever, and with the fever came dreams, most disturbing dreams, in which were sounds of crunching gravel, thenfar-away voices--voices that I seemed to have heard in another world. Adoor was opened, and then--oh! how can I ever tell you--in the hall cameFaye's mother! By that time dreams had ceased, and it was cruel realitythat had to be faced, and even now I wonder how I lived through themisery of that moment--the longing to throw myself out of the window, jump in the river, do anything, in fact, but face the mortification ofhaving her see the awful condition of her son's house!

Her son's house--that was just it. I did not care at all for myself, myonly thought was for Faye whose mother might find cause to pity him forthe delinquencies of his wife! First impressions are indelible, andit would be difficult to convince Mrs. Rae ever that the house was notalways dusty and untidy. How could she know that with pride I had everseen that our house, however rough it might have been, was clean andcheerful. And of what use would it be to arrange things attractivelynow? She would be justified in supposing that it was only in its companydress. 

I was weak and dizzy from fever and a sick heart, but I managed toget dressed and go down to do the best I could. West prepared a littlesupper, and we made things as comfortable as possible, considering thestate of affairs. Mrs. Rae was most lovely about everything--said sheunderstood it all. But that could not be, not until she had seen one ofour sand storms, from the dust of which it is impossible to protect athing. I have been wishing for a storm ever since, so Mrs. Rae could seethat I was not responsible for the condition of things that night. 

Now this was not all--far, far from it. On the way out in the cars, Mrs. Rae met the colonel of the regiment--a real colonel, who is called acolonel, too--who was also on his way to this post, and with him wasLieutenant Whittemore, a classmate of Faye's. Colonel Fitz-James wasvery courteous to Mrs. Rae, and when they reached Kit Carson he insistedupon her coming over with him in the ambulance that had been sent tomeet him. This was very much more comfortable than riding in the oldstage, so she gladly accepted, and to show her appreciation of thekindness, she invited the colonel, also Lieutenant Whittemore, to dinewith us the following evening!

Yes, there is still more, for it so happens that Colonel Fitz-Jamesis known to be an epicure, to be fussy and finical about all thingspertaining to the table, and what is worse takes no pains to disguiseit, and in consequence is considered an undesirable dinner guest bythe most experienced housekeepers in the regiment. All this I had oftenheard, and recalled every word during the long hours of that night asI was making plans for the coming day. The combination in its entiretycould not have been more formidable. There was Faye's mother, a splendidhousekeeper--her very first day in our house. His colonel and anabnormally sensitive palate--his very first meeting with each of us. His classmate, a young man of much wealth--a perfect stranger to me. Asoldier cook, willing, and a very good waiter, but only a plain everydaycook; certainly not a maker of dainty dishes for a dinner party. Andmy own experiences in housekeeping had been limited to log huts inoutlandish places. 

Every little thing for that dinner had to be prepared in our own house. There was no obliging caterer around the corner where a salad, an ice, and other things could be hurriedly ordered; not even one little marketto go to for fish, flesh, or fowl; only the sutler's store, where theirgreatest dainty is "cove" oysters! Fortunately there were some younggrouse in the house which I had saved for Mrs. Rae and which were justright for the table, and those West could cook perfectly. 

So with a head buzzing from quinine I went down in the morning, and withstubborn determination that the dinner should be a success, I proceededto carry out the plans I had decided upon during the night. 

The house was put in splendid order and the dinner prepared, and ColonelKnight was invited to join us. I attempted only the dishes that couldbe served well--nothing fancy or difficult--and the sergeant's wiferemained to assist West in the kitchen. It all passed off pleasantlyand most satisfactorily, and Colonel Fitz-James could not have been moreagreeable, although he looked long and sharply at the soldier when hefirst appeared in the dining room. But he said not a word; perhaps heconcluded it must be soldier or no dinner. I have been told severalnice things he said about that distracting dinner before leaving thegarrison. But it all matters little to me now, since it was not foundnecessary to take me to a lunatic asylum!

Mrs. Rae saw in a paper that Faye had been shot by a desperado, andwas naturally much alarmed, so she sent a telegram to learn what hadhappened, and in reply Faye telegraphed for her to come out, andfearing that he must be very ill she left Boston that very night. But weunderstood that she would start the next day, and this misinterpretationcaused my undoing--that and the sand storm. 

That man Oliver has at last been arrested and is now in the jail atLas Animas, chained with another man--a murderer--to a post in the darkcellar. This is because he has so many times threatened the jailer. Hesays that some day he will get out, and then his first act will be tokill the keeper, and the next to kill Lieutenant Rae. He also declaresthat Faye kicked him when he was in the guardhouse at the post. Ofcourse anyone with a knowledge of military discipline would know thisassertion to be false, for if Faye had done such a thing as that, hemight have been court-martialed. 

The sheriff was actually afraid to make the arrest the first time hewent over, because so many of Oliver's friends were in town, and so hecame back without him, although he saw him several times. The secondtrip, however, Oliver was taken off guard and was handcuffed and out ofthe town before he had a chance to rally his friends to his assistance. He was brought to Las Animas during the night to avoid any possibilityof a lynching. The residents of the little town are full of indignationthat the man should have attempted to kill an officer of this garrison. He is a horse thief and desperado, and made his escape from their jailseveral months back, so altogether they consider that the country canvery well do without him. I think so, too, and wish every hour in theday that the sheriff had been less cautious. Oliver cannot be trieduntil next May, when the general court meets, and I am greatlydistressed over this fact, for the jail is old and most insecure, and hemay get out at any time. The fear and dread of him is on my mind day andnight. 

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, December, 1873. 

EVERYONE in the garrison seems to be more or less in a state ofcollapse! The bal masque is over, the guests have departed, and all thatis left to us now are the recollections of a delightful party that gavefull return for our efforts to have it a success. 

We did not dream that so many invitations would be accepted at far-awayposts, that parties would come from Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley, FortDodge, and Fort Wallace, for a long ambulance ride was necessary fromeach place. But we knew of their coming in time to make preparationsfor all, so there was no confusion or embarrassment. Every house onthe officers' line was filled to overflowing and scarcely a corner leftvacant. 

The new hospital was simply perfect for an elaborate entertainment. The large ward made a grand ballroom, the corridors were charming forpromenading, and, yes, flirting, the dining room and kitchen perfect forthe supper, and the office and other small rooms were a nice size forcloak rooms. Of course each one of these rooms, big and small, had tobe furnished. In each dressing room was a toilet table fitted out withevery little article that might possibly be needed during the evening, both before and after the removal of masks. All this necessitatedmuch planning, an immense amount of work, and the stripping of our ownhouses. But there were a good many of us, and the soldiers were cheerfulassistants. I was on the supper committee, which really dwindled downto a committee of one at the very last, for I was left alone to put thefinishing touches to the tables and to attend to other things. The vaincreatures seemed more interested in their own toilets, and went home tobeautify themselves. 

The commanding officer kept one eye, and the quartermaster about a dozeneyes upon us while we were decorating, to see that no injury was doneto the new building. But that watchfulness was unnecessary, for the manyhigh windows made the fastening of flags an easy matter, as we drapedthem from the casing of one window to the casing of the next, whichcovered much of the cold, white walls and gave an air of warmth andcheeriness to the rooms. Accoutrements were hung everywhere, every bitof brass shining as only an enlisted man can make it shine, and the longinfantry rifles with fixed bayonets were "stacked" whereever they wouldnot interfere with the dancing. 

Much of the supper came from Kansas City--that is, the celery, fowls, and material for little cakes, ices, and so on--and the orchestraconsisted of six musicians from the regimental band at Fort Riley. Thefloor of the ballroom was waxed perfectly, but it is hoped by some ofus that much of the lightning will be taken from it before the hospitalcots and attendants are moved in that ward. 

Everybody was en masque and almost everyone wore fancy dress and someof the costumes were beautiful. The most striking figure in the rooms, perhaps, was Lieutenant Alden, who represented Death! He is very talland very slender, and he had on a skintight suit of dark-brown drilling, painted from crown to toe with thick white paint to represent theskeleton of a human being; even the mask that covered the entire headwas perfect as a skull. The illusion was a great success, but it madeone shiver to see the awful thing walking about, the grinning skulltowering over the heads of the tallest. And ever at its side was a reddevil, also tall, and so thin one wondered what held the bones together. This red thing had a long tail. The devil was Lieutenant Perkins, ofcourse. 

Faye and Doctor Dent were dressed precisely alike, as sailors, thedoctor even wearing a pair of Faye's shoes. They had been very sly aboutthe twin arrangement, which was really splendid, for they are just aboutthe same size and have hair very much the same color. But smart as theywere, I recognized Faye at once. The idea of anyone thinking I would notknow him!

We had queens and milkmaids and flower girls galore, and black starrynights and silvery days, and all sorts of things, many of them veryelegant. My old yellow silk, the two black lace flounces you gave me, and a real Spanish mantilla that Mrs. Rae happened to have with her, made a handsome costume for me as a Spanish lady. I wore almost all thejewelry in the house; every piece of my own small amount and muchof Mrs. Rae's, the nicest of all having been a pair of very largeold-fashioned "hoop" earrings, set all around with brilliants. My combwas a home product, very showy, but better left to the imagination. 

The dancing commenced at nine o'clock, and at twelve supper was served, when we unmasked, and after supper we danced again and kept on dancinguntil five o'clock! Even then a few of us would have been willingto begin all over, for when again could we have such a ballroom withperfect floor and such excellent music to dance by? But with the new daycame a new light and all was changed, much like the change of a balletwith a new calcium light, only ours was not beautifying, but most tryingto tired, painted faces; and seeing each other we decided that we couldnot get home too fast. In a few days the hospital will be turned over tothe post-surgeon, and the beautiful ward will be filled with ironcots and sick soldiers, and instead of delicate perfumes, the odor ofnauseous drugs will pervade every place. 

I have been too busy to ride during the past week, but am going out thisafternoon with the chaplain's young daughter, who is a fearlessrider, although only fourteen. King is very handsome now and his gaitdelightful, but he still requires most careful management. He ran awaywith me the other day, starting with those three tremendous strides, but we were out on a level and straight road, so nothing went wrong. Allthere was for me to do was to keep my seat. Lieutenant Perkins and MissCampbell were a mile or more ahead of us, and after he had passed themhe came down to a trot, evidently flattering himself that he had won arace, and that nothing further was expected of him. 

He jumps the cavalry hurdles beautifully--goes over like a deer, Halalways following directly back of him. Whatever a horse does that dogwants to do also. Last spring, when we came up from Camp Supply, heactually tried to eat the corn that dropped from King's mouth as hewas getting his supper one night in camp. He has scarcely noticedPowder-Face since the very day King was sent to me, but became devotedto the new horse at once. I wonder if he could have seen that the newhorse was the faster of the two!

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, May, 1874. 

THERE is such good news to send you to-day I can hardly write it fastenough. The Territorial Court has been in session, and yesterdaythat horse thief, Billy Oliver, was tried and sentenced to ten years'imprisonment in the penitentiary! The sheriff and a posse started forCanon City this morning with him and another prisoner, and I hope thathe will not make his escape on the way over. The sheriff told Fayeconfidentially the route he intended to take, which is not at all theone he is supposed to be going over, and threw out strong hints to theeffect that if he wanted to put an end to the man's vicious career therewould be no interference from him (the sheriff) or his posse. He eventold Faye of a lonesome spot where it could be accomplished easily andsafely!

This was a strange thing for a sheriff to do, even in this country ofdesperadoes, and shows what a fiend he considers Oliver to be. He saidthat the man was the leader of a gang of the lowest and boldest typeof villains, and that even now it would be safer to have him out of theway. Sheriffs are afraid of these men, and do not like to be obliged toarrest them. 

The day of the trial, and as Faye was about to go to the court room, acorporal came to the house and told him that he had just come from LasAnimas, where he had heard from a reliable source that many of Oliver'sfriends were in the town, and that it was their intention to kill Fayeas he came in the court room. He even described the man who was to dothe dreadful work, and he told Faye that if he went over without anescort he would certainly be killed. 

This was simply maddening, and I begged Faye to ask for a guard, but hewould not, insisting that there was not the least danger, that even adesperado would not dare shoot an army officer in Las Animas in a publicplace, for he knew he would be hung the next moment. That was all verywell, but it seemed to me that it would be better to guard against themurder itself rather than think of what would be done to the murderer. Iknew that the corporal would never have come to the house if he had notheard much that was alarming. 

So Faye went over without a guard, but did condescend to wear hisrevolvers. He says that the first thing he saw as he entered the courtroom were six big, brawny cavalrymen, each one a picked man, selectedfor bravery and determination. Of course each trooper was armed withlarge government revolvers and a belt full of cartridges. He also sawthat they were sitting near, and where they could watch every move ofa man who answered precisely to the corporal's description, and as hepassed on up through the crowd he almost touched him. His hair was longand hung down on his shoulders about a face that was villainous, and hewas "armed to the teeth. " There were other tough-looking men seated nearthis man, each one armed also. 

Colonel Bissell had heard of the threat to kill Faye, and ordered acorporal, the very man who searched so bravely through the dark housefor Oliver at Granada, and five privates to the court, with instructionsto shoot at once the first and every man who made the slightest move toharm Faye! Those men knew very well what the soldiers were there for, and I imagine that after one look at their weather-beaten faces, whichtold of many an Indian campaign, the villains decided that it would bebetter to keep quiet and let Oliver manage his own affairs. 

A sergeant and one or two privates were summoned by Oliver to givetestimony against Faye, but each one told the same story, and said mostemphatically that Faye had not done more than speak to the man in theline of duty, and as any officer would have done. Directly after guardmounting, and as the new guard marches up to the guardhouse, the oldguard is ordered out, also the prisoners, and the prisoners stand in themiddle of the line with soldiers at each end, and every man, enlistedman and prisoner, is required to stand up straight and in line. It wasat One of these times that Oliver claimed that Faye kicked him, whenhe was officer of the day. Faye and Major Tilford say that the man wasslouching, and Faye told him to stand up and take his hands out of hispockets. A small thing to murder an officer for, but I imagine that anysort of discipline to a man of his character was most distasteful. 

Of course Faye left the court room as soon as his testimony had beengiven. When the sentence was pronounced the judge requested all visitorsto remain seated until after the prisoner had been removed, which showedthat he was a little afraid of trouble, and knew the bitter feelingagainst the horse thief in the town. Several girls and young officersfrom the post were outside in an ambulance, and they commenced to cheerwhen told of the sentence, but the judge hurried a messenger out tothem with a request that they make no demonstration whatever. He is afearless and just judge, and it is a wonder that desperadoes have notkilled him long ago. 

Perhaps now I can have a little rest from the terrible fear that hasbeen ever with me day and night during the whole winter, that Oliverwould escape from the old jail and carry out his threat of doublemurder. He had made his escape once, and I feared that he might get outagain. But that post and chain must have been very securely fixed downin that cellar. 

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, June, 1874. 

BY this time you have my letter telling you that the regiment has beenordered to the Department of the Gulf. Since then we have heard that itis to go directly to Holly Springs, Mississippi, for the summer, wherea large camp is to be established. Just imagine what the suffering willbe, to go from this dry climate to the humidity of the South, and fromcool, thick-walled adobe buildings to hot, glary tents in the midstof summer heat! We will reach Holly Springs about the Fourth of July. Faye's allowance for baggage hardly carries more than trunks and a fewchests of house linen and silver, so we are taking very few things withus. It is better to give them away than to pay for their transportationsuch a long distance. 

Both horses have been sold and beautiful King has gone. The young manwho bought him was a stranger here, and knew absolutely nothing aboutthe horse except what some one in Las Animas had told him. He rode himaround the yard only once, and then jumping down, pulled from his pocketa fat roll of bills, counted off the amount for horse, saddle, andbridle, and then, without saying one word more than a curt "goodmorning, " he mounted the horse again and rode out of the yard andaway. I saw the whole transaction from a window--saw it as well ashot, blinding tears would permit. Faye thinks the man might have beena fugitive and wanted a fast horse to get him out of the country. Welearned not long ago, you know, that King had been an Indian race ponyowned by a half-breed named Bent. He sent word from Camp Supply that Iwas welcome to the horse if I could ride him! The chaplain has boughtPowder-Face, and I am to keep him as long as we are here. Hal will gowith us, for I cannot give up that dog and horses, too. 

Speaking of Hal reminds me of the awful thing that occurred here a fewdays ago. I have written often of the pack of beautiful greyhounds ownedby the cavalry officers, and of the splendid record of Magic--Hal'sfather--as a hunter, and how the dog was loved by Lieutenant Baldwinnext to his horse. 

But unless the dogs were taken on frequent hunts, they would steal offon their own account and often be away a whole day, perhaps until afterdark. The other day they went off this way, and in the afternoon, asLieutenant Alden was riding along by the river, he came to a scenethat made him positively ill. On the ground close to the water wasthe carcass of a calf, which had evidently been filled with poison forwolves, and near it on the bank lay Magic, Deacon, Dixie, and otherhounds, all dead or dying! Blue has bad teeth and was still gnawing atthe meat, and therefore had not been to the water, which causes almostinstant death in cases of poisoning by wolf meat. 

As soon as Lieutenant Alden saw that the other dogs were past doing for, he hurried on to the post with Blue, and with great difficulty saved herlife. So Hal and his mother are sole survivors of the greyhounds thathave been known at many of the frontier posts as fearless and tirelesshunters, and plucky fighters when forced to fight. Greyhounds willrarely seek a fight, a trait that sometimes fools other dogs and bringsthem to their Waterloo. When Lieutenant Alden told me of the death ofthe dogs, tears came in his eyes as he said, "I have shared my bedwith old Magic many a time!" And how those dogs will be missed at thebachelor quarters! When we came here last summer, I was afraid that theold hounds would pounce upon Hal, but instead of that they were mostfriendly and seemed to know he was one of them--a wanderer returned. 

ST. CHARLES HOTEL, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, September, 1877. 

LIFE in the Army is certainly full of surprises! At Pass Christianyesterday morning, Faye and I were sitting on the veranda reading thepapers in an indifferent sort of way, when suddenly Faye jumped up andsaid, "The Third has been ordered to Montana Territory!" At first Icould not believe him--it seemed so improbable that troops would be sentto such a cold climate at this season of the year, and besides, most ofthe regiment is at Pittsburg just now because of the great coal strike. But there in the Picayune was the little paragraph of half a dozenlines that was to affect our lives for years to come, and which had theimmediate power to change our condition of indolent content, into one ofthe greatest activity and excitement!

Faye went at once to the telegraph office and by wire gave up theremainder of his leave, and also asked the regimental adjutant iftransportation was being provided for officers' families. The distanceis so great, and the Indians have been so hostile in Montana during thepast two years, that we thought families possibly would not be permittedto go. 

After luncheon we packed the trunks, carefully separating things sothere would be no necessity for repacking if I could not go, and I canassure you that many an article was folded down damp with hot tears--thevery uncertainty was so trying. In the evening we went around tosay "good-by" to a few of the friends who have been so cordial andhospitable during the summer. Early this morning we came from PassChristian, and soon after we got here telegrams came for Faye, oneordering him to proceed to Pittsburg and report for duty, and anothersaying that officers' families may accompany the regiment. This wasglorious news to me. The fear and dread of having to be left behind hadmade me really ill--and what would have become of me if it had actuallycome to pass I cannot imagine. I can go--that is all sufficient forthe present, and we expect to leave for Pittsburg this evening at nineo'clock. 

The late start gives us a long day here with nothing to do. After awhile, when it is not quite so hot outside, we are going out to take afarewell look at some of our old haunts. Our friends are all out of thecity, and Jackson Barracks is too far away for such a warm day--besides, there is no one there now that we know. 

It seems quite natural to be in this dear old hotel, where all duringthe past winter our "Army and Navy Club" cotillons were danced every twoweeks. And they were such beautiful affairs, with two splendid militaryorchestras to furnish the music, one for the dancing and one to givechoice selections in between the figures. We will carry with us to thesnow and ice of the Rocky Mountains many, many delightful memories ofNew Orleans, where the French element gives a charm to everything. TheMardi-Gras parades, in which the regiment has each year taken sucha prominent part--the courtly Rex balls--the balls of Comus--thedelightful Creole balls in Grunewald Hall--the stately and exclusiveballs of the Washington Artillery in their own splendid hall--thecharming dancing receptions on the ironclad monitor Canonicus, also thewar ship Plymouth, where we were almost afraid to step, things wereso immaculate and shiny--and then our own pretty army fetes at JacksonBarracks--regimental headquarters--each and all will be remembered, everwith the keenest pleasure. 

But the event in the South that has made the deepest impression of alloccurred at Vicksburg, where for three weeks we lived in the same house, en famille and intimately, with Jefferson Davis! I consider that to havebeen a really wonderful experience. You probably can recall a little ofwhat I wrote you at the time--how we were boarding with his niece in hersplendid home when he came to visit her. 

I remember so well the day he arrived. He knew, of course, that anarmy officer was in the house, and Mrs. Porterfield had told us of hiscoming, so the meeting was not unexpected. Still, when we went down todinner that night I was almost shivering from nervousness, although theair was excessively warm. I was so afraid of something unpleasant comingup, for although Mrs. Porterfield and her daughter were women of cultureand refinement, they were also rebels to the very quick, and neverfailed at any time to remind one that their uncle was "President" Davis!And then, as we went in the large dining room, Faye in his very bluest, shiniest uniform, looked as if he might be Uncle Sam himself. 

But there was nothing to fear--nothing whatever. A tall, thin old mancame forward with Mrs. Porterfield to meet us--a courtly gentleman ofthe old Southern school--who, apparently, had never heard of the CivilWar, and who, if he noticed the blue uniform at all, did not take theslightest interest in what it represented. His composure was reallydisappointing! After greeting me with grave dignity, he turned to Fayeand grasped his hand firmly and cordially, the whole expression of hisface softening just a little. I have always thought that he wasdeeply moved by once again seeing the Federal Blue under such friendlycircumstances, and that old memories came surging back, bringing withthem the almost forgotten love and respect for the Academy--a love thatevery graduate takes to his grave, whether his life be one of honor orof disgrace. 

One could very easily have become sentimental, and fancied that he wasOld West Point, misled and broken in spirit, admitting in dignifiedsilence his defeat and disgrace to Young West Point, who, with UncleSam's shoulder straps and brass buttons, could be generously obliviousto the misguidance and treason of the other. We wondered many times ifJefferson Davis regretted his life. He certainly could not have beensatisfied with it. 

There was more in that meeting than a stranger would have known of. Inthe splendid dining room where we sat, which was forty feet in lengthand floored with tiles of Italian marble, as was the entire largebasement, it was impossible not to notice the unpainted casing ofone side of a window, and also the two immense patches of common grayplaster on the beautifully frescoed walls, which covered holes made bya piece of shell that had crashed through the house during the siegeof Vicksburg. The shell itself had exploded outside near the servants'quarters. 

Then, again, every warm evening after dinner, during the time he was atthe house, Jefferson Davis and Faye would sit out on the grand, marbleporch and smoke and tell of little incidents that had occurred at WestPoint when each had been a cadet there. At some of these times theywould almost touch what was left of a massive pillar at one end, that had also been shattered and cracked by pieces of shell from U. S. Gunboats, one piece being still imbedded in the white marble. 

For Jefferson Davis knew that Faye's father was an officer in the Navy, and that he had bravely and boldly done his very best toward the undoingof the Confederacy; and by his never-failing, polished courtesy tothat father's son--even when sitting by pieces of shell and patched-upwalls--the President of the Confederacy set an example of dignifiedself-restraint, that many a Southern man and woman--particularlywoman--would do well to follow. 

For in these days of reconstruction officers and their families are notalways popular. But at Pass Christian this summer we have received themost hospitable, thoughtful attention, and never once by word or deedwere we reminded that we were "Yank-Tanks, " as was the case at HollySprings the first year we were there. However, we did some finereconstruction business for Uncle Sam right there with those pertMississippi girls--two of whom were in a short time so thoroughlyreconstructed that they joined his forces "for better or for worse!"

The social life during the three years we have been in the South hasmost of the time been charming, but the service for officers has oftenbeen most distasteful. Many times they have been called upon to escortand protect carpetbag politicians of a very low type of manhood--menwho could never command one honest vote at their own homes in theNorth. Faye's company has been moved twenty-one times since we came fromColorado three years ago, and almost every time it was at the request ofthose unprincipled carpetbaggers. These moves did not always disturb us, however, as during most of the time Faye has been adjutant general ofthe District of Baton Rouge, and this kept us at Baton Rouge, but duringthe past winter we have been in New Orleans. 

Several old Creole families whose acquaintance we made in the city lastwinter, have charming old-style Southern homes at Pass Christian, wherewe have ever been cordially welcomed. It was a common occurrence for meto chaperon their daughters to informal dances at the different cottagesalong the beach, and on moonlight sailing parties on Mr. Payne'sbeautiful yacht, and then, during the entire summer, from the time wefirst got there, I have been captain of one side of a croquet team, Mr. Payne having been captain of the other. The croquet part was, of course, the result of Major Borden's patient and exacting teaching at BatonRouge. 

Mentioning Baton Rouge reminds me of my dear dog that was there almosta year with the hospital steward. He is now with the company at MountVer-non Barracks, Alabama, and Faye has telegraphed the sergeant to seethat he is taken to Pittsburg with the company. 

We are going out now, first of all to Michaud's for some of hisdelicious biscuit glace! Our city friends are all away still, so therewill be nothing for us to do but wander around, pour passer le tempsuntil we go to the station. 

MONONGAHELA HOUSE, PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, September, 1877. 

ONCE again we have our trunks packed for the long trip to Montana, andthis time I think we will go, as the special train that is to take usis now at the station, and baggage of the regiment is being hurriedlyloaded. Word came this morning that the regiment would start to-night, so it seems that at last General Sherman has gained his point. Forthree long weeks we have been kept here in suspense--packing and thenunpacking--one day we were to go, the next we were not to go, while thecommanding general and the division commander were playing "tug of war"with us. 

The trip will be long and very expensive, and we go from a hot climateto a cold one at a season when the immediate purchase of warm clothingis imperative, and with all this unexpected expense we have been forcedto pay big hotel bills for weeks, just because of a disagreement betweentwo generals that should have been settled in one day. Money is veryprecious to the poor Army at present, too, for not one dollar has beenpaid to officers or enlisted men for over three months! How officerswith large families can possibly manage this move I do not see--selltheir pay accounts I expect, and then be court martialed for having doneso. 

Congress failed to pass the army appropriation bill before it adjourned, consequently no money can be paid to the Army until the next session!Yet the Army is expected to go along just the same, promptly pay UncleSam himself all commissary and quartermaster bills at the end of eachmonth, and without one little grumble do his bidding, no matter what theextra expense may be. I wonder what the wise men of Congress, who weretoo weary to take up the bill before going to their comfortable homes--Iwonder what they would do if the Army as a body would say, "We aretired. Uncle, dear, and are going home for the summer to rest. You willhave to get along without us and manage the Indians and strikers thebest way you can. " This would be about as sensible as forcing the Armyto be paupers for months, and then ordering regiments from East to Westand South to North. Of course many families will be compelled to remainback, that might otherwise have gone. 

We are taking out a young colored man we brought up with us from HollySprings. He has been at the arsenal since we have been here, and Hal hasbeen with him. It is over one year since the dog saw me, and I am almostafraid he will not know me tonight at the station. Before we left PassChristian Faye telegraphed the sergeant to bring Hal with the companyand purchase necessary food for him on the way up. So, when the companygot here, bills were presented by several of the men, who claimed tohave bought meat for the dog, the sum total of which was nine dollarsfor the two days! We were so pleased to know that Hal had been so wellcared for. But the soldiers were welcome to the money and more with it, for we were so glad to have the dog with us again, safe and well. 

We have quite a Rae family now--Faye and I--a darky, a greyhound, andone small gray squirrel! It will be a hard trip for Billie, but I havemade for him a little ribbon collar and sewed securely to it a long tapewhich makes a fine "picket rope" that can be tied to various thingsin various places, and in this way he can be picketed and yet receiveexercise and air. 

We are to go almost straight north from the railroad for a distanceof over four hundred miles, and of course this will take several weeksunder the most favorable conditions. But you must not mind our goingso far away--it will be no farther than the Indian Territory, and theclimate of Montana must be very much better than it was at Camp Supply, and the houses must certainly be more comfortable, as the winters are solong and severe. I shall be so glad to have a home of my own again, andhave a horse to ride also. 

Faye has just come from the station and says that almost everything hasbeen loaded, and that we are really to start to-night at eight o'clock. This is cheering news, for I think that everyone is anxious to getto Montana, except the poor officers who cannot afford to take theirfamilies with them. 

CORINNE, UTAH TERRITORY, September, 1877. 

WE were almost one week coming out, but finally got here yesterdaymorning. Our train was a special, and having no schedule, we were oftensidetracked for hours at a time, to make way for the regular trains. Assoon as possible after we arrived, the tents were unpacked and put up, and it was amazing to see how soon there was order out of chaos. Thismorning the camp looks like a little white city--streets and all. Thereis great activity everywhere, as preparations have already commenced forthe march north. Our camp "mess" has been started, and we will be verycomfortable, I think, with a good soldier cook and Cagey to take care ofthe tents. I am making covers for the bed, trunk, and folding table, of dark-blue cretonne with white figures, which carries out the colorscheme of the folding chairs and will give a little air of cheerinessto the tent, and of the same material I am making pockets that can bepinned on the side walls of the tent, in which various things can betucked at night. These covers and big pockets will be folded and put inthe roll of bedding every morning. 

There are not enough ambulances to go around, so I had my choice betweenbeing crowded in with other people, or going in a big army wagon bymyself, and having had one experience in crowding, I chose the wagonwithout hesitation. Faye is having the rear half padded with straw andcanvas on the sides and bottom, and the high top will be of canvas drawnover "bows, " in true emigrant fashion. Our tent will be folded to forma seat and placed in the back, upon which I can sit and look out throughthe round opening and gossip with the mules that will be attached tothe wagon back of me. In the front half will be packed all of our campfurniture and things, the knockdown bed, mess-chest, two little stoves(one for cooking), the bedding which will be tightly rolled in canvasand strapped, and so on. Cagey will sit by the driver. There is not onespring in the wagon, but even without, I will be more comfortable thanwith Mrs. Hayden and three small children. They can have the ambulanceto themselves perhaps, and will have all the room. I thought of Billie, too. He can be picketed all the time in the wagon, but imagine thelittle fellow's misery in an ambulance with three restless children forsix or eight hours each day!

Hal is with us--in fact, I can hardly get away from the poor dog, he isso afraid of being separated from me again. When we got to the stationat Pittsburg he was there with Cagey, and it took only one quick glanceto see that he was a heart-broken, spirit-broken dog. Not one spark wasleft of the fire that made the old Hal try to pull me through an immenseplate-glass mirror, in a hotel at Jackson, Mississippi, to fight hisown reflection (the time the strange man offered one hundred and fiftydollars for him), and certainly he was not the hound that whipped thebig bulldog at Monroe, Louisiana, two years ago. He did not see me as Icame up back of him, and as he had not even heard my voice for overone year, I was almost childishly afraid to speak to him. But Ifinally said, "Hal, you have not forgotten your old friend?" He turnedinstantly, but as I put my hand upon his head there was no joyous boundor lifting of the ears and tail--just a look of recognition, then araising up full length of the slender body on his back legs, and puttinga forefoot on each of my shoulders as far over as he could reach, hegripped me tight, fairly digging his toe nails into me, and with hishead pressed close to my neck he held on and on, giving little lowwhines that were more like human sobs than the cry of a dog. Of course Ihad my arms around him, and of course I cried, too. It was so pitifullydistressing, for it told how keenly the poor dumb beast had sufferedduring the year he had been away from us. People stared, and soon therewas a crowd about us with an abundance of curiosity. Cagey explained thesituation, and from then on to train time, Hal was patted and petted andgiven dainties from lunch baskets. 

He was in the car next to ours, coming out, and we saw him often. Manytimes there were long runs across the plains, when the only thing tobe seen, far or near, would be the huge tanks containing water for theengines. At one of these places, while we were getting water. Cageyhappened to be asleep, and a recruit, thinking that Hal was ill-treatedby being kept tied all the time, unfastened the chain from his collarand led him from the car. 

The first thing the dog saw was another dog, and alas! a greyhoundbelonging to Ryan, an old soldier. The next thing he saw was the dear, old, beautiful plains, for which he had pined so long and wearily. Thetwo dogs had never seen each other before, but hounds are clannish andnever fail to recognize their own kind, so with one or two jumps by wayof introduction, the two were off and out of sight before anyone at thecars noticed what they were doing. I was sitting by the window in ourcar and saw the dogs go over the rolling hill, and saw also that a dozenor more soldiers were running after them. I told Faye what had happened, and he started out and over the hill on a hard run. Time passed, and wein the cars watched, but neither men nor dogs came back. Finally a longwhistle was blown from the engine, and in a short time the train beganto move very slowly. The officers and men came running back, butthe dogs were not with them! My heart was almost broken; to leave mybeautiful dog on the plains to starve to death was maddening. I wantedto be alone, so to the dressing room I went, and with face buried in aportiere was sobbing my very breath away when Mrs. Pierce, wife of MajorPierce, came in and said so sweetly and sympathetically: "Don't cry, dear; Hal is following the car and the conductor is going to stop thetrain. "

Giving her a hasty embrace, I ran back to the end of the last car, andsure enough, there was Hal, the old Hal, bounding along with tail highup and eyes sparkling, showing that the blood of his ancestors was stillin his veins. The conductor did not stop the train, simply because thesoldiers did not give him an opportunity. They turned the brakes andthen held them, and if a train man had interfered there would have beena fight right then and there. 

As soon as the train was stopped Faye and Ryan were the first to go forthe dogs, but by that time the hounds thought the whole affair great funand objected to being caught--at least Ryan's dog objected. The porterin our car caught Hal, but Ryan told him to let the dog go, that hewould bring the two back together. This was shrewd in Ryan, for hereasoned that Major Carleton might wait for an officer's dog, but neverfor one that belonged to only an enlisted man; but really it was theother way, the enlisted men held the brakes. The dogs ran back almosta mile to the water tank, and the conductor backed the train down afterthem, and not until both dogs were caught and on board could steam budgeit ahead. 

The major was in temporary command of the regiment at that time. He isa very pompous man and always in fear that proper respect will not beshown his rank, and when we were being backed down he went through ourcar and said in a loud voice: "I am very sorry Mrs. Rae, that youshould lose your fine greyhound, but this train cannot be detained anylonger--it must move on!" I said nothing, for I saw the two big men inblue at the brake in front, and knew Major Carleton would never orderthem away, much as he might bluster and try to impress us with hisimportance, for he is really a tender-hearted man. 

Poor Faye was utterly exhausted from running so long, and for some timeRyan was in a critical condition. It seems that he buried his wife quiterecently, and has left his only child in New Orleans in a convent, andthe greyhound, a pet of both wife and little girl, is all he has leftto comfort him. Everyone is so glad that he got the dog. Hal was notunchained again, I assure you, until we got here, but poor Cagey almostkilled himself at every stopping place running up and down with the dogto give him a little exercise. 

It is really delightful to be in a tent once more, and I am anticipatingmuch pleasure in camping through a strange country. A large wagontrain of commissary stores will be with us, so we can easily add toour supplies now and then. It is amazing to see the really jolly moodeveryone seems to be in. The officers are singing and whistling, and wecan often hear from the distance the boisterous laughter of the men. Andthe wives! there is an expression of happy content on the face of eachone. We know, if the world does not, that the part we are to takeon this march is most important. We will see that the tents are madecomfortable and cheerful at every camp; that the little dinner after theweary march, the early breakfast, and the cold luncheon are each andall as dainty as camp cooking will permit. Yes, we are sometimes called"camp followers, " but we do not mind--it probably originated with someenvious old bachelor officer. We know all about the comfort and cheerthat goes with us, and then--we have not been left behind!

RYAN'S JUNCTION, IDAHO TERRITORY, October, 1877. 

WE are snow-bound, and everyone seems to think we that we will becompelled to remain here several days. It was bright and sunny when thecamp was made yesterday, but before dark a terrible blizzard came up, and by midnight the snow was deep and the cold intense. As long as weremain inside the tents we are quite comfortable with the little conicalsheet-iron stoves that can make a tent very warm. And the snow that hadbanked around the canvas keeps out the freezing-wind. We have everythingfor our comfort, but such weather does not make life in camp at allattractive. 

Faye just came in from Major Pierce's tent, where he says he saw a funnysight. They have a large hospital tent, on each side of which is a rowof iron cots, and on the cots were five chubby little children--one amere baby--kicking up their little pink feet in jolly defiance of theirpatient old mammy, who was trying to keep them covered up. The tent waswarm and cozy, but outside, where the snow was so deep and the coldso penetrating, one could hardly have believed that these small peoplecould have been made so warm and happy. But Mrs. Pierce is a wonderfulmother! Major Pierce was opposed to bringing his family on this longmarch, to be exposed to all kinds of weather, but Mrs. Pierce had noidea of being left behind with two days of car and eight days of theworst kind of stage travel between her husband and herself; so, like asensible woman, she took matters in her own hands, and when we reachedChicago, where she had been visiting, there at the station was thesmiling Mrs. Pierce with babies, governess, nurses, and trunks, allsplendidly prepared to come with us--and come they all did. After themajor had scolded a little and eased his conscience, he smiled as muchas the other members of the family. 

The children with us seem to be standing the exposure wonderfully well. One or two were pale at first, but have become rosy and strong, althoughthere is much that must be very trying to them and the mothers also. Thetents are "struck" at six sharp in the morning, and that means that wehave to be up at four and breakfast at five. That the bedding must berolled, every little thing tucked away in trunks or bags, the mess chestpacked, and the cooking stove and cooking utensils not only made readyto go safely in the wagon, but they must be carried out of the tentsbefore six o'clock. At that time the soldiers come, and, when the buglesounds, down go the tents, and if anything happens to be left inside, ithas to be fished out from underneath the canvas or left there until thetent is folded. The days are so short now that all this has to be donein the darkness, by candle or lantern light, and how mothers can gettheir small people up and ready for the day by six o'clock, I cannotunderstand, for it is just all I can manage to get myself and the tentready by that time. 

We are on the banks of a small stream, and the tents are evidentlypitched directly upon the roosting ground of wild geese, for during thesnowstorm thousands of them came here long after dark, making the mostdreadful uproar one ever heard, with the whirring of their big wings andconstant "honk! honk!" of hundreds of voices. They circled around solow and the calls were so loud that it seemed sometimes as if theywere inside the tents. They must have come home for shelter and becomeconfused and blinded by the lights in the tents, and the loss of theirground. We must be going through a splendid country for game. 

I was very ill for several days on the way up, the result ofmalaria--perhaps too many scuppernong grapes at Pass Christian, andjolting of the heavy army wagon that makes a small stone seem the sizeof a boulder. One morning I was unable to walk or even stand up, andFaye and Major Bryant carried me to the wagon on a buffalo robe. All ofthat day's march Faye walked by the side of my wagon, and that allowedhim no rest whatever, for in order to make it as easy for me aspossible, my wagon had been placed at the extreme end of the long line. The troops march fifty minutes and halt ten, and as we went much slowerthan the men marched, we would about catch up with the column at eachrest, just when the bugle would be blown to fall in line again, and thenon the troops and wagons would go, Faye was kept on a continuous tramp. I still think that he should have asked permission to ride on the wagon, part of the day at least, but he would not do so. 

One evening when the camp was near a ranch, I heard Doctor Gordon tellFaye outside the tent that I must be left at the place in the morning, that I was too ill to go farther! I said not a word about having heardthis, but I promised myself that I would go on. The dread of being leftwith perfect strangers, of whom I knew nothing, and where I could notpossibly have medical attendance, did not improve my condition, but feargave me strength, and in the morning when camp broke I assured DoctorGordon that I was better, very much better, and stuck to it with so muchpersistence that at last he consented to my going on. But during manyhours of the march that morning I was obliged to ride on my hands andknees! The road was unusually rough and stony, and the jolting I couldnot endure, sitting on the canvas or lying on the padded bottom of thewagon. 

It so happened that Faye was officer of the day that day, and ColonelFitz-James, knowing that he was under a heavy strain with a sick wife inaddition to the long marches, sent him one of his horses to ride--a veryfine animal and one of a matched team. At the first halt Faye missedHal, and riding back to the company saw he was not with the men, so hewent on to my wagon, but found that I was shut up tight, Cagey asleep, and the dog not with us. He did not speak to either of us, but kept onto the last wagon, where a laundress told him that she saw the dog goingback down the road we had just come over. 

The wagon master, a sergeant, had joined Faye, riding a mule, and thetwo rode on after the dog, expecting every minute to overtake him. Butthe recollection of the unhappy year at Baton Rouge with the hospitalsteward was still fresh in Hal's memory, and the fear of anotherseparation from his friends drove him on and on, faster and faster, andkept him far ahead of the horses. When at last Faye found him, he wassitting by the smoking ashes of our camp stove, his long nose pointedstraight up, giving the most blood-curdling howls of misery and woepossible for a greyhound to give, and this is saying much. The poordog was wild with delight when he saw Faye, and of course there wasno trouble in bringing him back; he was only too glad to have his oldfriend to follow. He must have missed Faye from the company in themorning, and then failing to find me in the shut-up wagon, had gone backto camp for us. This is all easily understood, but how did that houndfind the exact spot where our tent had been, even the very ashes of ourstove, on that large camp ground when he has no sense of smell?

I wondered all the day why I did not see Faye and when the stop forluncheon passed and he had not come I began to worry, as much as I couldthink of anything beyond my own suffering. Late in the afternoon wereached the camp for the night, and still Faye had not come and noone could tell me anything about him. And I was very, very ill! DoctorGordon was most kind and attentive, but neither he nor other friendscould relieve the pain in my heart, for I felt so positive thatsomething was wrong. 

Just as our tent had been pitched Faye rode up, looking weary andworried, said a word or two to me, and then rode away again. He soonreturned, however, and explained his long absence by telling me brieflythat he had gone back for the dog. But he was quiet and distrait, anddirectly after dinner he went out again. When he came back he told meall about everything that had occurred. 

Under any circumstances, it would have been a dreadful thing for him tohave been absent from the command without permission, but when officerof the day it was unpardonable, and to take the colonel's horse with himmade matters all the worse. And then the wagon master was liable to havebeen called upon at any time, if anything had happened, or the commandhad come to a dangerous ford. Faye told me how they had gone back forthe dog, and so on, and said that when he first got in camp he rodeimmediately to the colonel's tent, turned the horse over to an orderly, and reported his return to the colonel, adding that if the horse wasinjured he would replace him. Then he came to his own tent, fullyexpecting an order to follow soon, placing him under arrest. 

But after dinner, as no order had come, he went again to see the coloneland told him just how the unfortunate affair had come about, how he hadfelt that if the dog was not found it might cost me my life, as I was sodevoted to the dog and so very ill at that time. The colonel listenedto the whole story, and then told Faye that he understood it all, thatundoubtedly he would have done the same thing! I think it was grandin Colonel Fitz-James to have been so gentle and kind--not one word ofreproach did he say to Faye. Perhaps memories of his own wife came tohim. The colonel may have a sensitive palate that makes him unpopularwith many, but there are two people in his regiment who know that he hasa heart so tender and big that the palate will never be considered againby them. Of course the horse was not injured in the least. 

We are on the stage road to Helena, and at this place there is a forkthat leads to the northwest which the lieutenant colonel and fourcompanies will take to go to Fort Missoula, Montana. The colonel, headquarters, and other companies are to be stationed at Helenaduring the winter. We expect to meet the stage going south about noonto-morrow, and you should have this in eight days. Billie squirrel hasa fine time in the wagon and is very fat. He runs off with bits of myluncheon every day and hides them in different places in the canvas, tohis own satisfaction at least. One of the mules back of us has becomemost friendly, and will take from my hand all sorts of things to eat. 

Poor Hal had a fit the other day, something like vertigo, after havingchased a rabbit. Doctor Gordon says that he has fatty degeneration ofthe heart, caused by having so little exercise in the South, but that hewill probably get over it if allowed to run every day. But I do not likethe very idea of the dog having anything the matter with his heart. Itwas so pathetic to have him stagger to the tent and drop at my feet, dumbly confident that I could give him relief. 

CAMP NEAR HELENA, MONTANA TERRITORY, November, 1877. 

THE company has been ordered to Camp Baker, a small post nearly sixtymiles farther on. We were turned off from the Helena road and the restof the command at the base of the mountains, and are now about ten milesfrom Helena on our way to the new station, which, we are told, is awretched little two-company post on the other side of the Big Beltrange of mountains. I am awfully disappointed in not seeing something ofHelena, and very, very sorry that we have to go so far from our friendsand to such an isolated place, but it is the company's turn for detachedservice, so here we are. 

The scenery was grand in many places along the latter part of the march, and it is grand here, also. We are in a beautiful broad valley withsnow-capped mountains on each side. From all we hear we conclude theremust be exceptionally good hunting and fishing about Camp Baker, andthere is some consolation in that. The fishing was very good at severalof our camps after we reached the mountains, and I can assure youthat the speckled trout of the East and these mountain trout are notcomparable, the latter are so far, far superior. The flesh is white andvery firm, and sometimes they are so cold when brought out of the waterone finds it uncomfortable to hold them. They are good fighters, too, and even small ones give splendid sport. 

One night the camp was by a beautiful little stream with high banks, andhere and there bunches of bushes and rocks--an ideal home for trout, soI started out, hoping to catch something--with a common willow pole andordinary hook, and grasshoppers for bait. Faye tells everybody that Ihad only a bent pin for a hook, but of course no one believes him. MajorStokes joined me and we soon found a deep pool just at the edge ofcamp. His fishing tackle was very much like mine, so when we saw CaptainMartin coming toward us with elegant jointed rod, shining new reel, anda camp stool, we felt rather crestfallen. Captain Martin passed on andseated himself comfortably on the bank just below us, but Major Stokesand I went down the bank to the edge of the pool where we were compelledto stand, of course. 

The water was beautifully clear and as soon as everybody and everythingbecame quiet, we saw down on the bottom one or two trout, then moreappeared, and still more, until there must have been a dozen or sobeautiful fish in between the stones, each one about ten inches long. But go near the hooks they would not, neither would they rise to CaptainMartin's most tempting flies--for he, too, saw many trout, from where hesat. We stood there a long time, until our patience was quite exhausted, trying to catch some of those fish, sometimes letting the current takethe grasshoppers almost to their very noses, when finally Major Stokeswhispered, "There, Mrs. Rae there, try to get that big fellow!" Now aswe had all been most unsuccessful with the little "fellows, " I had nohope whatever of getting the big one, still I tried, for he certainlywas a beauty and looked very large as he came slowly along, carefullyavoiding the stones. Before I had moved my bait six inches, there wasa flash of white down there, and then with a little jerk I hooked thatfish--hooked him safely. 

That was very, very nice, but the fish set up a terrible fight thatwould have given great sport with a reel, but I did not have a reel, andthe steep bank directly back of me only made matters worse. I saw thattime must not be wasted, that I must not give him a chance to slackenthe line and perhaps shake the hook off, so I faced about, and puttingthe pole over my shoulder, proceeded to climb the bank of four orfive feet, dragging the flopping fish after me! Captain Martin laughedheartily, but instead of laughing at the funny sight, Major Stokesjumped to my assistance, and between us we landed the fish up on thebank. It was a lovely trout--by far the largest we had seen, and MajorStokes insisted that we should take him to the commissary scales, wherehe weighed over three and one half pounds!

The jumping about of my big trout ruined the fishing, of course, in thatpart of the stream for some time, so, with a look of disgust for thingsgenerally, Captain Martin folded his rod and camp stool and returnedto his tent. I had the trout served for our dinner, and, having beenso recently caught, it was delicious. These mountain trout are verydelicate, and if one wishes to enjoy their very finest flavor, theyshould be cooked and served as soon as they are out of the water. Ifkept even a few hours this delicacy is lost--a fact we have discoveredfor ourselves on the march up. 

The camp to-night is near the house of a German family, and I am writingin their little prim sitting room, and Billie squirrel is with me andvery busy examining' things generally. I came over to wait whilethe tents were being pitched, and was received with such cordialhospitality, and have found the little room so warm and comfortable thatI have stayed on longer than I had intended. Soon after I came my kindhostess brought in a cup of most delicious coffee and a little pitcherof cream--real cream--something I had not tasted for six weeks, and shealso brought a plate piled high with generous pieces of German cinnamoncake, at the same time telling me that I must eat every bit of it--thatI looked "real peaked, " and not strong enough to go tramping around withall those men! When I told her that it was through my own choice thatI was "tramping, " that I enjoyed it she looked at me with genuine pity, and as though she had just discovered that I did not have good commonsense. 

We start on early in the morning, and it will take two three days tocross the mountains. The little camp of one company looks lonesome afterthe large regimental camp we have been with so long. The air is reallywonderful, so clear and crisp and exhilarating. It makes me long fora good horse, and horses we intend to have as soon as possible. We areanticipating so much pleasure in having a home once more, even if itis to be of logs and buried in snow, perhaps, during the winter. Halis outside, and his beseeching whines have swelled to awful howls thatremind me of neglected duties in the tent. 

CAMP BAKER, MONTANA TERRITORY, November, 1877. 

IT was rather late in the afternoon yesterday when we got to thispost, because of a delay on the mountains. But this did not causeinconvenience to anyone--there was a vacant set of quarters thatLieutenant Hayden took possession of at once for his family, and wherewith camp outfit they can be comfortable until the wagons are unloaded. Faye and I are staying with the commanding officer and his wife. ColonelGardner is lieutenant colonel of the --th Infantry, and has a mostenviable reputation as a post commander. As an officer, we have notseen him yet, but we do know that he can be a most charming host. Hehas already informed Faye that he intends to appoint him adjutant andquartermaster of the post. 

We are in a little valley almost surrounded by magnificent, heavilytimbered mountains, and Colonel Gardner says that at any time one canfind deer, mountain sheep, and bear in these forests, adding that thereare also mountain lions and wild cats! The scenery on the road fromHelena to Camp Baker was grand, but the roads were dreadful, most of thetime along the sides of steep mountains that seemed to be one enormouspile of big boulders in some places and solid rock in others. Theseroads have been cut into the rock and are scarcely wider than the wagontrack, and often we could look almost straight down seventy-five feet, or even more, on one side, and straight up for hundreds of feet on theother side. 

And in the canons many of the grades were so steep that the wheels ofthe wagons had to be chained in addition to the big brakes to preventthem from running sideways, and so off the grade. I rode down one ofthese places, but it was the last as well as the first. Every timethe big wagon jolted over a stone--and it was jolt over stones allthe time--it seemed as if it must topple over the side and roll to thebottom; and then the way the driver talked to the mules to keep themstraight, and the creaking and scraping of the wagons, was enough tofrighten the most courageous. 

In Confederate Gulch we crossed a ferry that was most marvelous. A heavysteel cable was stretched across the river--the Missouri--and fastenedsecurely to each bank, and then a flat boat was chained at each end tothe cable, but so it could slide along when the ferryman gripped thecable with a large hook, and gave long, hard pulls. Faye says that thevery swift current of the stream assisted him much. 

The river runs through a narrow, deep canon where the ferry is, and atthe time we crossed everything was in dark shadow, and the water lookedblack, and fathoms deep, with its wonderful reflections. The grandeur ofthese mountains is simply beyond imagination; they have to be seen tobe appreciated, and yet when seen, one can scarcely comprehend theirimmensity. We are five hundred miles from a railroad, with endlesschains of these mountains between. All supplies of every description arebrought up that distance by long ox trains--dozens of wagons in a train, and eight or ten pairs of oxen fastened to the one long chain that pullsthree or four heavily loaded wagons. We passed many of these trains onthe march up, and my heart ached for the poor patient beasts. 

We are to have one side of a large double house, which will give us asmany rooms as we will need in this isolated place. Hal is in the housenow, with Cagey, and Billie is there also, and has the exclusive run ofone room. The little fellow stood the march finely, and it is all owingto that terrible old wagon that was such a comfort in some ways, butcaused me so much misery in others. These houses must be quite warm;they are made of large logs placed horizontally, and the inner walls areplastered, which will keep out the bitter cold during the winter. Thesmallest window has an outside storm window. 

CAMP BAKER, MONTANA TERRITORY, December, 1877. 

THIS post is far over in the Belt Mountains and quite cut off from theoutside world, and there are very few of us here, nevertheless the dayspass wonderfully fast, and they are pleasant days, also. And then wehave our own little excitements that are of intense interest to us, evenif they are never heard of in the world across the snow and ice. 

The Rae family was very much upset two days ago by the bad behavior ofmy horse Bettie, when she managed to throw Faye for the very first timein his life! You know that both of our horses, although raised near thisplace, were really range animals, and were brought in and broken for us. The black horse has never been very satisfactory, and Faye has a battlewith him almost every time he takes him out, but Bettie had been lovelyand behaved wonderfully well for so young a horse, and I have been sopleased with her and her delightful gaits--a little single foot and easycanter. 

The other morning Faye was in a hurry to get out to a lumber camp and, as I did not care to go, he decided to ride my horse rather than wastetime by arguing with the black as to which road they should go. Benalways thinks he knows more about such things than his rider. Well, Kelly led Bettie up from the corral and saddled and bridled her, andwhen Faye was ready to start I went out with him to give the horse a fewlumps of sugar. She is a beautiful animal--a bright bay in color--withperfect head and dainty, expressive ears, and remarkably slender legs. 

Faye immediately prepared to mount; in fact, bridle in hand, had hisleft foot in the stirrup and the right was over the horse, when up wentMiss Bet's back, arched precisely like a mad cat's, and down inbetween her fore legs went her pretty nose, and high up in the air wenteverything--man and beast--the horse coming down on legs as rigidand unbending as bars of steel, and then--something happened to Faye!Nothing could have been more unexpected, and it was all over in asecond. 

Kelly caught the bridle reins in time to prevent the horse from runningaway, and Faye got up on his feet, and throwing back his best West Pointshoulders, faced the excited horse, and for two long seconds he and MissBet looked each other square in the eye. Just what the horse thought noone knows, but Kelly and I remember what Faye said! All desire to laugh, however, was quickly crushed when I heard Kelly ordered to lead thehorse to the sutler's store, and fit a Spanish bit to her mouth, and totake the saddle off and strap a blanket on tight with a surcingle, for Iknew that a hard and dangerous fight between man and horse was about tocommence. Faye told Cagey to chain Hal and then went in the house, soonreturning, however, without a blouse, and with moccasins on his feet andwith leggings. 

When Kelly returned he looked most unhappy, for he loves horses andhas been so proud of Bettie. But Faye was not thinking of Kelly andproceeded at once to mount, having as much fire in his eyes as the horsehad in hers, for she had already discovered that the bit was not to herliking. As soon as she felt Faye's weight, up went her back again, but down she could not get her head, and the more she pushed down, theharder the spoon of the bit pressed against the roof of her mouth. Thismade her furious, and as wild as when first brought from the range. 

She lunged and lunged--forward and sideways--reared, and of course triedto run away, but with all the vicious things her little brain couldthink of, she could not get the bit from her mouth or Faye from herback. So she started to rub him off--doing it with thought and in themost scientific way. She first went to the corner of our house, thentried the other corner of that end, and so she went on, rubbing upagainst every object she saw--house, tree, and fence--even going up thesteps at the post trader's. That I thought very smart, for the bitwas put in her mouth there, and she might have hoped to find some kindfriend who would take it out. 

It required almost two hours of the hardest kind of riding to conquerthe horse, and to teach her that just as long as she held her head upand behaved herself generally, the bit would not hurt her. She finallygave in, and is once more a tractable beast, and I have ridden hertwice, but with the Spanish bit. She is a nervous animal and will alwaysbe frisky. It has leaked out that the morning she bucked so viciously, a cat had been thrown upon her back at the corral by a playful soldier, just before she had been led up. Kelly did not like to tell this of acomrade. It was most fortunate that I had decided not to ride at thattime, for a pitch over a horse's head with a skirt to catch on thepommel is a performance I am not seeking. And Bettie had been such adear horse all the time, her single foot and run both so swift andeasy. Kelly says, "Yer cawn't feel yerse'f on her, mum. " Faye isquartermaster, adjutant, commissary, signal officer, and has otherpositions that I cannot remember just now, that compel him to be at hisown office for an hour every morning before breakfast, in addition tothe regular office hours during the day. The post commander is up andout at half past six every workday, and Sundays I am sure he is a mostunhappy man. But Faye gets away for a hunt now and then, and the otherday he started off, much to my regret, all alone and with only a rifle. I worry when he goes alone up in these dense forests, and when anofficer goes with him I am so afraid of an accident, that one may shootthe other. It is impossible to take a wagon, or even ride a horse amongthe rocks and big boulders. There are panthers and wild cats and wolvesand all sorts of fearful things up there. The coyotes often come downto the post at night, and their terrible, unearthly howls drive the dogsalmost crazy--and some of the people, too. 

I worried about Faye the other morning as usual, and thought of all thedreadful things that could so easily happen. And then I tried to forgetmy anxiety by taking a brisk ride on Bettie, but when I returned I foundthat Faye had not come, so I worried all the more. The hours passed andstill he was away, and I was becoming really alarmed. At last there wasa shout at a side door, and running out I found Faye standing up verytall and with a broad smile on his face, and on the ground at his feetwas an immense white-tail deer! He said that he had walked miles on themountain but had failed to find one living thing, and had finally comedown and was just starting to cross the valley on his way home, whenhe saw the deer, which he fortunately killed with one shot at very longrange. He did not want to leave it to be devoured by wolves while hecame to the corral for a wagon, so he dragged the heavy thing all theway in. And that was why he was gone so long, for of course he wasobliged to rest every now and then. I was immensely proud of thesplendid deer, but it did not convince me in the least that it was safefor Faye to go up in that forest alone. Of course Faye has shot otherdeer, and mountain sheep also, since we have been here, but this was thefirst he had killed when alone. 

Of all the large game we have ever had--buffalo, antelope, black-taildeer, white-tail deer--the mountain sheep is the most delicious. Themeat is very tender and juicy and exceedingly rich in flavor. It is very"gamey, " of course, and is better after having been frozen or hung fora few days. These wary animals are most difficult to get, for they areseldom found except on the peaks of high mountains, where the many bigrocks screen them, so when one is brought in, it is always with greatpride and rejoicing. There are antelope in the lowlands about here, butnone have been brought in since we came to the post. The ruffed grouseand the tule hens are plentiful, and of course nothing can be moredelicious. 

And the trout are perfect, too, but the manner in which we get them thisfrozen-up weather is not sportsmanlike. There is a fine trout streamjust outside the post which is frozen over now, but when we wish a fewnice trout for dinner or breakfast. Cagey and I go down, and with ahatchet he will cut a hole in the ice through which I fish, and usuallycatch all we want in a few minutes. The fish seem to be hungry and risequickly to almost any kind of bait except flies. They seem to know thatthis is not the fly season. The trout are not very large, about eightand ten inches long, but they are delicate in flavor and very delicious. 

Cagey is not a wonderful cook, but he does very well, and I think thatI would much prefer him to a Chinaman, judging from what I have seen ofthem here. Mrs. Conrad, wife of Captain Conrad, of the --th Infantry, had one who was an excellent servant in every way except in the mannerof doing the laundry work. He persisted in putting the soiled linen inthe boiler right from the basket, and no amount of talk on the part ofMrs. Conrad could induce him to do otherwise. Monday morning Mrs. Conradwent to the kitchen and told him once more that he must look the linenover, and rub it with plenty of water and soap before boiling it. Theheathen looked at her with a grin and said, "Allee light, you no likeemy washee, you washee yousel', " and lifting the boiler from the stove heemptied its entire steaming contents out upon the floor! He then went tohis own room, gathered up his few clothes and bedding, and started off. He knew full well that if he did not leave the reservation at once hewould be put off after such a performance. 

CAMP BAKER, MONTANA TERRITORY, February, 1878. 

HOME seems very cozy and attractive after the mountains of snow and icewe crossed and re-crossed on our little trip to Helena. The bitter coldof those canons will long be remembered. But it was a delightful changefrom the monotonous life in this out-of-the-way garrison, even if we didalmost freeze on the road, and it was more than pleasant to be with oldfriends again. 

The ball at the hall Friday evening was most enjoyable, and it wassimply enchanting to dance once more to the perfect music of thedear old orchestra. And the young people in Helena are showing theirappreciation of the good music by dancing themselves positively thinthis winter. The band leader brought from New Orleans the Creole musicthat was so popular there, and at the ball we danced Les Varietes fourtimes; the last was at the request of Lieutenant Joyce, with whom Ialways danced it in the South. It is thoroughly French, bringing in thewaltz, polka, schottische, mazurka, and redowa. Some of those Creolegirls were the personification of grace in that dance. 

We knew of the ball before leaving home, and went prepared for it, buthad not heard one word about the bal masque to be given by "The ArmySocial Club" at Mrs. Gordon's Tuesday evening. We did not have onething with us to assist in the make-up of a fancy dress; nevertheless wedecided to attend it. Faye said for me not to give him a thought, thathe could manage his own costume. How I did envy his confidence in manand things, particularly things, for just then I felt far from equal tomanaging my own dress. 

I had been told of some of the costumes that were to be worn by friends, and they were beautiful, and the more I heard of these things, themore determined I became that I would not appear in a domino! So Mondaymorning I started out for an idea, and this I found almost immediatelyin a little shop window. It was only a common pasteboard mask, butnevertheless it was a work of art. The face was fat and silly, anddroll beyond description, and to look at the thing and not laugh wasimpossible. It had a heavy bang of fiery red hair. I bought it withoutdelay, and was wondering where I could find something to go with it inthat little town, when I met a friend--a friend indeed--who offered mesome widths of silk that had been dyed a most hideous shade of green. 

I gladly accepted the offer, particularly as this friend is in deepmourning and would not be at the ball to recognize me. Well, I made thisreally awful silk into a very full skirt that just covered my ankles, and near the bottom I put a broad band of orange-colored cambric--thestiff and shiny kind. Then I made a Mother Hubbard apron of whitepaper-cambric, also very stiff and shiny, putting a big full ruche ofthe cambric around neck, yoke, and bottom of sleeves. For my head I madea large cap of the white cambric with ruche all around, and fastened iton tight with wide strings that were tied in a large stiff bow under thechin. We drew my evening dress up underneath both skirt and apronand pinned it securely on my shoulders, and this made me stout andshapeless. Around this immense waist and over the apron was drawn a widesash of bright pink, glossy cambric that was tied in a huge bow at theback. But by far the best of all, a real crown of glory, was a pigtailof red, red hair that hung down my back and showed conspicuously on thewhite apron. This was a loan by Mrs. Joyce, another friend in mourning, and who assisted me in dressing. 

We wanted the benefit of the long mirror in the little parlor of thehotel, so we carried everything there and locked the door. And thenthe fun commenced! I am afraid that Mrs. Joyce's fingers must have beenbadly bruised by the dozens of pins she used, and how she laughed at me!But if I looked half as dreadful as my reflection in the mirror I musthave been a sight to provoke laughter. We had been requested to givenames to our characters, and Mrs. Joyce said I must be "A CountryGirl, " but it still seems to me that "An Idiot" would have been moreappropriate. 

I drove over with Major and Mrs. Carleton. The dressing rooms werecrowded at Mrs. Gordon's, so it was an easy matter to slip away, give mylong cloak and thick veil to a maid, and return to Mrs. Carleton beforeshe had missed me, and it was most laughable to see the dear lady goin search for me, peering in everyone's face. But she did not find me, although we went down the stairs and in the drawing-room together, andneither did one person in those rooms recognize me during the evening. Lieutenant Joyce said he knew to whom the hair belonged, but beyond thatit was all a mystery. 

That evening will never be forgotten, for, as soon as I saw that no oneknew me, I became a child once more, and the more the maskers laughedthe more I ran around. When I first appeared in the rooms there was ageneral giggle and that was exhilarating, so off I went. After a timeColonel Fitz-James adopted me and tagged around after me every place; Isimply could not get rid of the man. I knew him, of course, and Ialso knew that he was mistaking me for some one else, which made hisattentions anything but complimentary. I told him ever so many timesthat he did not know me, but he always insisted that it was impossiblefor him to be deceived, that he would always know me, and so on. He wasacting in a very silly manner--quite too silly for a man of his yearsand a colonel of a regiment, and he was keeping me from some very nicedances, too, so I decided to lead him a dance, and commenced a rareflirtation in cozy corners and out-of-the-way places. I must admit, though, that all the pleasure I derived from it was when I heard thesmothered giggles of those who saw us. The colonel was in a domino andhad not tried to disguise himself. 

We went in to supper together, and I managed to be almost the last oneto unmask, and all the time Colonel Fitz-James, domino removed, wasstanding in front of me, and looking down with a smile of sereneexpectancy. The colonel of a regiment is a person of prominence, therefore many people in the room were watching us, not one suspecting, however, who I was. So when I did take off the mask there was a shout:"Why, it is Mrs. Rae, " and "Oh, look at Mrs. Rae, " and several friendscame up to us. Well, I wish you could have seen the colonel's face--themingled surprise and almost horror that was expressed upon it. Of coursethe vain man had placed himself in a ridiculous position, chasing aroundand flirting with the wife of one of his very own officers--a secondlieutenant at that! It came out later that he, and others also, hadthought that I was a Helena girl whom the colonel admires very much. It was rather embarrassing, too, to be told that the girl was sittingdirectly opposite on the other side of the room, where she was watchingus with two big, black eyes. And then farther down I saw Faye alsolooking at us--but then, a man never can see things from a woman's viewpoint. 

The heat and weight of the two dresses had been awful, and as soon asI could get away, I ran to a dressing room and removed the cambric. Butthe pins! There seemed to be thousands of them. Some of the costumeswere beautiful and costly, also. Mrs. Manson, a lovely little woman ofHelena, was "A Comet. " Her short dress of blue silk was studded withgold stars, and to each shoulder was fastened a long, pointed train ofyellow gauze sprinkled with diamond dust. An immense gold star with adiamond sunburst in the center was above her forehead, and around herneck was a diamond necklace. Mrs. Palmer, wife of Colonel Palmer, was"King of Hearts, " the foundation a handsome red silk. Mrs. Spenceradvertised the New York Herald; the whole dress, which was flouncedto the waist, was made of the headings of that paper. Major Blair wasrecognized by no one as "An American citizen, " in plain evening dress. Icould not find Faye at all, and he was in a simple red domino, too. 

I cannot begin to tell you of the many lovely costumes that seemed mostwonderful to me, for you must remember that we were far up in the RockyMountains, five hundred miles from a railroad! I will send you a copyof the Helena paper that gives an account of the ball, in which you willread that "Mrs. Rae was inimitable--the best sustained character in therooms. " I have thought this over some, and I consider the complimentdoubtful. 

We remained one day longer in Helena than we had expected for thebal masque; consequently we were obliged to start back the very nextmorning, directly after breakfast, and that was not pleasant, for wewere very tired. The weather had been bitter cold, but during the nighta chinook had blown up, and the air was warm and balmy as we came acrossthe valley. When we reached the mountains, however, it was freezingagain, and there was glassy ice every place, which made driving over thegrades more dangerous than usual. In many places the ambulance wheelshad to be "blocked, " and the back and front wheels of one side chainedtogether so they could not turn, in addition to the heavy brake, andthen the driver would send the four sharp-shod mules down at a swingingtrot that kept the ambulance straight, and did not give it time to sliparound and roll us down to eternity. 

There is one grade on this road that is notoriously dangerous, anddreaded by every driver around here because of the many accidents thathave occurred there. It is cut in the side of a high mountain and hasthree sharp turns back and forth, and the mountain is so steep, it isimpossible to see from the upper grade all of the lower that leads downinto the canon called White's Gulch. This one mountain grade is a mileand a half long. But the really dangerous place is near the middle turn, where a warm spring trickles out of the rocks and in winter forms thickice over the road; and if this ice cannot be broken up, neither man norbeast can walk over, as it is always thicker on the inner side. 

I was so stiffened from the overheating and try-to-fool dancing at Mrs. Gordon's, it was with the greatest difficulty I could walk at all on theslippery hills, and was constantly falling down, much to the amusementof Faye and the driver. But ride down some of them I would not. AtCanon Ferry, where we remained over night, the ice in the Missouri wascracked, and there were ominous reports like pistol shots down in thecanon below. At first Faye thought it would be impossible to come over, but the driver said he could get everything across, if he could come atonce. Faye walked over with me, and then went back to assist the driverwith the mules that were still on the bank refusing to step upon theice. But Faye led one leader, and the driver lashed and yelled at all ofthem, and in this way they crossed, each mule snorting at every step. 

There were the most dreadful groans and creakings and loud reportsduring the entire night, and in the morning the river was clear, exceptfor a few pieces of ice that were still floating down from above. TheMissouri is narrow at Canon Ferry, deep and very swift, and it isa dreadful place to cross at any time, on the ice, or on the cableferryboat. They catch a queer fish there called the "ling. " It has threesides, is long and slender, and is perfectly blind. They gave us somefor supper and it was really delicious. 

We found everything in fine order upon our return, and it was veryevident that Cagey had taken good care of the house and Hal, but Billiegrayback had taken care of himself. He was given the run of my room, butI had expected, of course, that he would sleep in his own box, as usual. But no, the little rascal in some way discovered the warmth of theblankets on my bed, and in between these he had undoubtedly spent mostof the time during our absence, and there we found him after a longsearch, and there he wants to stay all the time now, and if anyonehappens to go near the bed they are greeted with the fiercest kind ofsmothered growls. 

The black horse has been sold, and Faye has bought another, a sorrel, that seems to be a very satisfactory animal. He is not as handsome asBen, nor as fractious, either. Bettie is behaving very well, but isstill nervous, and keeps her forefeet down just long enough to getherself over the ground. She is beautiful, and Kelly simply adores herand keeps her bright-red coat like satin. Faye can seldom ride with mebecause of his numerous duties, and not one of the ladies rides here, so I have Kelly go, for one never knows what one may come across on theroads around here. They are so seldom traveled, and are little more thantrails. 

CAMP BAKER, MONTANA TERRITORY, March, 1878. 

THE mail goes out in the morning, and in it a letter must be sent toyou, but it is hard--hard for me to write--to have to tell you that mydear dog, my beautiful greyhound, is dead--dead and buried! It seems socruel that he should have died now, so soon after getting back to hisold home, friends, and freedom. On Tuesday, Faye and Lieutenant Lomaxwent out for a little hunt, letting Hal go with them, which was unusual, and to which I objected, for Lieutenant Lomax is a notoriously poor shotand hunter, and I was afraid he might accidentally kill Hal--mistake himfor a wild animal. So, as they went down our steps I said, "Please donot shoot my dog!" much more in earnest than in jest, for I felt thathe would really be in danger, as it would be impossible to keep him withthem all the time. 

As they went across the parade ground, rifles over their shoulders, Haljumped up on Faye and played around him, expressing his delight at beingallowed to go on a hunt. He knew what a gun was made for just as well asthe oldest hunter. That was the last I saw of my dog! Faye returned longbefore I had expected him, and one quick glance at his troubled facetold me that something terrible had happened. I saw that he was unhurtand apparently well, but--where was Hal? With an awful pain in my heartI asked, "Did Lieutenant Lomax shoot Hal?" After a second's hesitationFaye said "No; but Hal is dead!" It seemed too dreadful to be true, andat first I could not believe it, for it had been only such a short timesince I had seen him bounding and leaping, evidently in perfect health, and oh, so happy!

No one in the house even thought of dinner that night, and poor blackCagey sobbed and moaned so loud and long Faye was obliged to ask himto be quiet. For hours I could not listen to the particulars. Fayesays that they had not gone out so very far when he saw a wild cat somedistance away, and taking careful aim, he shot it, but the cat, insteadof falling, started on a fast run. Hal was in another direction, butwhen he heard the report of the rifle and saw the cat running, hestarted after it with terrific speed and struck it just as the cat fell, and then the two rolled over and over together. 

He got up and stood by Faye and Lieutenant Lomax while they examined thecat, and if there was anything wrong with him it was not noticed. Butwhen they turned to come to the post, dragging the dead cat after them, Faye heard a peculiar sound, and looking back saw dear Hal on the groundin a fit much like vertigo. He talked to him and petted him, thinking hewould soon be over it--and the plucky dog did get up and try to follow, but went down again and for the last time The swift run and excitementcaused by encountering an animal wholly different from anything he hadever seen before was too great a strain upon the weak heart. 

Before coming to the house Faye had ordered a detail out to bury him, with instructions to cover the grave with pieces of glass to keep thewolves away. The skin and head of the cat, which was really a lynx, arebeing prepared for a rug, but I do not see how I can have the thing inthe house, although the black spots and stripes with the white make thefur very beautiful. The ball passed straight through the body. 

The loneliness of the house is awful, and at night I imagine that I hearhim outside whining to come in. Many a cold night have I been up two andthree times to straighten his bed and cover him up. His bed was the skinof a young buffalo, and he knew just when it was smooth and nice, andthen he would almost throw himself down, with a sigh of perfect content. If I did not cover him at once, he would get up and drop down again, and there he would stay hours at a time with the fur underneath andover him, with just his nose sticking out. He suffered keenly from theintense cold here because his hair was so short and fine. And then hewas just from the South, too, where he was too warm most of the time. 

It makes me utterly wretched to think of the long year he was away fromus at Baton Rouge. But what could we have done? We could not have hadhim with us, in the very heart of New Orleans, for he had already beenstolen from us at Jackson Barracks, a military post!

With him passed the very last of his blood, a breed of greyhounds thatwas known in Texas, Kansas, and Colorado as wonderful hunters, alsoremarkable for their pluck and beauty of form. Hal was a splendidhunter, and ever on the alert for game. Not one morsel of it would heeat, however, not even a piece of domestic fowl, which he seemed to lookupon as game. Sheep he considered fine game, and would chase themevery opportunity that presented itself. This was his one bad trait, anexpensive one sometimes, but it was the only one, and was overbalancedmany times by his lovable qualities that made him a favorite with all. Every soldier in the company loved him and was proud of him, and wouldhave shared his dinner with the dog any day if called upon to do so. 

NATIONAL HOTEL, HELENA, MONTANA TERRITORY, May, 1878. 

TO hear that we are no longer at Camp Baker will be a surprise, butyou must have become accustomed to surprises of this kind long ago. Regimental headquarters, the companies that have been quartered at theHelena fair grounds during the winter, and the two companies from CampBaker, started from here this morning on a march to the Milk Rivercountry, where a new post is to be established on Beaver Creek. It isto be called Fort Assiniboine. The troops will probably be in camp untilfall, when they will go to Fort Shaw. 

We had been given no warning whatever of this move, and had less thantwo days in which to pack and crate everything. And I can assure youthat in one way it was worse than being ranked out, for this time therewas necessity for careful packing and crating, because of the roughmountain roads the wagons had to come over. But there were no accidents, and our furniture and boxes are safely put away here in a governmentstorehouse. 

At the time the order came, Faye was recorder for a board of surveythat was being held at the post, and this, in addition to turning overquartermaster and other property, kept him hard at work night and day, so the superintendence of all things pertaining to the house andcamp outfit fell to my lot. The soldiers were most willing andmost incompetent, and it kept me busy telling them what to do. Themess-chest, and Faye's camp bedding are always in readiness for ordinaryoccasions, but for a camp of several months in this climate, where itcan be really hot one day and freezing cold the next, it was necessaryto add many more things. Just how I managed to accomplish so much inso short a time I do not know, but I do know that I was up and packingevery precious minute the night before we came away, and the nightseemed very short too. But everything was taken to the wagons in verygood shape, and that repaid me for much of the hard work and greatfatigue. 

And I was tired--almost too tired to sit up, but at eight o'clock I gotin an ambulance and came nearly forty miles that one day! Major Stokesand Captain Martin had been on the board of survey, and as they werestarting on the return trip to Helena, I came over with them, which notonly got me here one day in advance of the company, but saved Faye thetrouble of providing for me in camp on the march from Camp Baker. Weleft the post just as the troops were starting out. Faye was ridingBettie and Cagey was on Pete. 

I brought Billie, of course, and at Canon Ferry I lost that squirrel!After supper I went directly to my room to give him a little run andto rest a little myself, but before opening his box I looked about forplaces where he might escape, and seeing a big crack under one of thedoors, covered it with Faye's military cape, thinking, as I did so, thatit would be impossible for a squirrel to crawl through such a narrowplace. Then I let him out. Instead of running around and shying atstrange objects as he usually does, he ran straight to that cape, andafter two or three pulls with his paws, flattened his little graybody, and like a flash he and the long bushy tail disappeared! I was endeshabille, but quickly slipped on a long coat and ran out after him. 

Very near my door was one leading to the kitchen, and so I went onthrough, and the very first thing stumbled over a big cat! This made memore anxious than ever, but instead of catching the beast and shuttingit up, I drove it away. In the kitchen, which was dining room also, satthe two officers and a disagreeable old man, and at the farther end wasa woman washing dishes. I told them about Billie and begged them to keepvery quiet while I searched for him. Then that old man laughed. That wasquite too much for my overtaxed nerves, and I snapped out that I failedto see anything funny. But still he laughed, and said, "Perhaps youdon't, but we do. " I was too worried and unhappy to notice what hemeant, and continued to look for Billie. 

But the little fellow I could not find any place in the house oroutside, where we looked with a lantern. When I returned to my room Idiscovered why the old man laughed, for truly I was a funny sight. I hadthought my coat much longer than it really was--that is all I am willingto say about it. I was utterly worn out, and every bone in my bodyseemed to be rebelling about something, still I could not sleep, butlistened constantly for Billie. I blamed myself so much for not havingshut up the cat and fancied I heard the cat chasing him. 

After a long, long time, it seemed hours, I heard a faint noise like ascratch on tin, and lighting a lamp quickly, I went to the kitchen andthen listened. But not a sound was to be heard. At the farther end abank had been cut out to make room for the kitchen, which gave it a dirtwall almost to the low ceiling, and all across this wall were many rowsof shelves where tins of all sorts and cooking utensils were kept, andjust above the top shelf was a hole where the cat could go out on thebank. I put the lamp back of me on the table and kept very still andlooked all along the shelves, but saw nothing of Billie. Finally, Iheard the little scratch again, and looking closely at some large tinswhere I thought the sound had come from, I saw the little squirrel. He was sitting up in between two of the pans that were almost his owncolor, with his head turned one side, and "hands on his heart, " watchingme inquisitively with one black eye. 

He was there and apparently unharmed, but to catch him was anothermatter. I approached him in the most cautious manner, talking and cooingto him all the time, and at last I caught him, and the little fellow wasso glad to be with friends once more, he curled himself in my hands, and put two little wet paws around a thumb and held on tight. It wasraining, and he was soaking wet, so he must have been out of doors. Itwould have been heartbreaking to have been obliged to come away withoutfinding that little grayback, and perhaps never know what became ofhim. I know where my dear dog is, and that is bad enough. We heard justbefore leaving the post that men of the company had put up a board atHal's grave with his name cut in it. We knew that they loved him andwere proud of him, but never dreamed that any one of them would show somuch sentiment. Faye has taken the horses with him and Cagey also. 

The young men of Helena gave the officers an informal dance last night. At first it promised to be a jolly affair, but finally, as the eveningwore on, the army people became more and more quiet, and at the lastit was distressing to see the sad faces that made dancing seem a farce. They are going to an Indian country, and the separation may be long. Iexpect to remain here for the present, but shall make every effort toget to Benton after a while, where I will be nearly one hundred andfifty miles nearer Faye. The wife of the adjutant and her two littlechildren are in this house, and other families of officers are scatteredall over the little town. 

COSMOPOLITAN HOTEL, HELENA, MONTANA TERRITORY, August, 1878. 

YOU will see that at last I decided to move over to this hotel. I madea great mistake in not coming before and getting away from the crossold housekeeper at the International, who could not be induced byentreaties, fees, or threats, to get the creepy, crawly things out ofmy room. How I wish that every one of them would march over to hersome fine night and keep her awake as they have kept me. It made me sounhappy to leave Mrs. Hull there with a sick child, but she would notcome with me, although she must know it would be better for her and theboy to be here, where everything is kept so clean and attractive. Thereare six wives of officers in the house, among them the wife of GeneralBourke, who is in command of the regiment. She invited me to sit at hertable, and I find it very pleasant there. She is a bride and almost astranger to us. 

The weather has been playing all sorts of pranks upon us lately, and wehardly know whether we are in the far North or far South. For twoweeks it was very warm, positively hot in this gulch, but yesterdaywe received a cooling off in the form of a brisk snowstorm that lastednearly two hours. Mount Helena was white during the rest of the day, andeven now long streaks of snow can be seen up and down the peak. But asnowstorm in August looked very tame after the awful cloud-burst thatcame upon us without warning a few days before, and seemed determined towash the whole town down to the Missouri River. 

It was about eleven o'clock, and four of us had gone to the shops tolook at some pretty things that had just been brought over from a boatat Fort Benton by ox train. Mrs. Pierce and Mrs. Hull had stopped at agrocery next door, expecting to join Mrs. Joyce and me in a few minutes. But before they could make a few purchases, a few large drops of rainbegan to splash down, and there was a fierce flash of lightning anddeafening thunder, then came the deluge! Oceans of water seemed to becoming down, and before we realized what was happening, things in thestreet and things back of the store were being rushed to the valleybelow. 

All along the gulch runs a little stream that comes from the canon abovethe town. The stream is tiny and the bed is narrow. On either side ofit are stores with basements opening out on these banks. Well, in analarmingly short time that innocent-looking little creek had becomea roaring, foaming black river, carrying tables, chairs, washstands, little bridges--in fact everything it could tear up--along with itto the valley. Many of these pieces of furniture lodged against thecarriage bridge that was just below the store where we were, making adangerous dam, so a man with a stout rope around his waist went in thewater to throw them out on the bank, but he was tossed about like acork, and could do nothing. Just as they were about to pull him in thebridge gave way, and it was with the greatest difficulty he was keptfrom being swept down with the floating furniture. He was dragged backto our basement in an almost unconscious condition, and with many cutsand bruises. 

The water was soon in the basements of the stores, where it did muchdamage. The store we were in is owned by a young man--one of the beauxof the town--and I think the poor man came near losing his mind. Herushed around pulling his hair one second, and wringing his hands thenext, and seemed perfectly incapable of giving one order, or assistinghis clerks in bringing the dripping goods from the basement. Very unlikethe complacent, diamond-pin young man we had danced with at the balls!

The cloud-burst on Mount Helena had caused many breaks in the enormousditches that run around the mountain and carry water to the mines on theother side. No one can have the faintest conception of how terrible acloud-burst is until they have been in one. It is like standing underan immense waterfall. At the very beginning we noticed the wagon of acountryman across the street with one horse hitched to it. The horse wastied so the water from an eaves trough poured directly upon his back, and not liking that, he stepped forward, which brought the powerfulstream straight to the wagon. 

Unfortunately for the owner, the wagon had been piled high with allsorts of packages, both large and small, and all in paper or paper bags. One by one these were swept out, and as the volume of water increased inforce and the paper became wet and easily torn, their contents went inevery direction. Down in the bottom was a large bag of beans, andwhen the pipe water reached this, there was a white spray resembling ageyser. Not one thing was left in that wagon--even sacks of potatoes andgrain were washed out! It is a wonder that the poor horse took it all aspatiently as he did. 

During all this time we had not even heard from our friends next door;after a while, however, we got together, but it was impossible to returnto the hotel for a long time, because of the great depth of water in thestreet. Mrs. Pierce, whose house is on the opposite side of the ravine, could not get to her home until just before dark, after a temporarybridge had been built across the still high stream. Not one bridgewas left across the creek, and they say that nothing has been left atChinatown--that it was washed clean. Perhaps there is nothing to beregretted in this, however, except that any amount of dirt has beenpiled up right in the heart of Helena. The millionaire residents seemto think that the great altitude and dry atmosphere will prevent any illeffects of decaying debris. 

We went to the assay building the other day to see a brick of gold takenfrom the furnace. The mold was run out on its little track soon after wegot there, and I never dreamed of what "white heat" really means, untilI saw the oven of that awful furnace. We had to stand far across theroom while the door was open, and even then the hot air that shot outseemed blasting. The men at the furnace were protected, of course. Thebrick mold was in another mold that after a while was put in cold water, so we had to wait for first the large and then the small to be openedbefore we saw the beautiful yellow brick that was still very hot, but wewere assured that it was then too hard to be in danger of injury. Itwas of the largest size, and shaped precisely like an ordinary buildingbrick, and its value was great. It was to be shipped on the stage thenext morning on its way to the treasury in Washington. 

It is wonderful that so few of those gold bricks are stolen from thestage. The driver is their only protector, and the stage route isthrough miles and miles of wild forests, and in between huge boulderswhere a "hold-up" could be so easily accomplished. 

CAMP ON MARIAS RIVER, MONTANA TERRITORY, September, 1878. 

AN old proverb tells us that "All things come to him who waits, " butI never had faith in this, for I have patiently waited many times forthings that never found me. But this time, after I had waited and waitedthe tiresome summer through, ever hoping to come to Fort Benton, andwhen I was about discouraged, "things come, " and here I am in camp withFaye, and ever so much more comfortable than I would have been at thelittle old hotel at Benton. 

There are only two companies here now--all the others having gone withregimental headquarters to Fort Shaw--otherwise I could not be here, forI could not have come to a large camp. Our tents are at the extreme endof the line in a grove of small trees, and next to ours is the doctor's, so we are quite cut off from the rest of the camp. Cagey is here, andFaye has a very good soldier cook, so the little mess, including thedoctor, is simply fine. I am famished all the time, for everythingtastes so delicious after the dreadful hotel fare. The two horses arehere, and I brought my saddle over, and this morning Faye and I had adelightful ride out on the plain. But how I did miss my dear dog! He wasalways so happy when with us and the horses, and his joyous bounds andlittle runs after one thing and another added much to the pleasure ofour rides. 

Fort Benton is ten miles from camp, and Faye met me there with anambulance. I was glad enough to get away from that old stage. It wasone of the jerky, bob-back-and-forth kind that pitches you off the seatevery five minutes. The first two or three times you bump heads with thepassenger sitting opposite, you can smile and apologize with some grace, but after a while your hat will not stay in place and your head becomessensitive, and finally, you discover that the passenger is the mostdisagreeable person you ever saw, and that the man sitting beside you isinconsiderate and selfish, and really occupying two thirds of the seat. 

We came a distance of one hundred and forty miles, getting fresh horsesevery twenty miles or so. The morning we left Helena was glorious, and Iwas half ashamed because I felt so happy at coming from the town, whereso many of my friends were in sorrow, but tried to console myself withthe fact that I had been ordered away by Doctor Gordon. There weremany cases of typhoid fever, and the rheumatic fever that has made Mrs. Sargent so ill has developed into typhoid, and there is very little hopefor her recovery. 

The driver would not consent to my sitting on top with him, so I hadto ride inside with three men. They were not rough-looking at all, andtheir clothes looked clean and rather new, but gave one the impressionthat they had been made for other people. Their pale faces told thatthey were "tenderfeet, " and one could see there was a sad lacking ofbrains all around. 

The road comes across a valley the first ten or twelve miles, andthen runs into a magnificent canon that is sixteen miles long, calledPrickly-Pear Canon. As I wrote some time ago, everything is brought upto this country by enormous ox trains, some coming from the railroad atCorinne, and some that come from Fort Benton during the Summer, havingbeen brought up by boat on the Missouri River. In the canons thesetrains are things to be dreaded. The roads are very narrow and thegrades often long and steep, with immense boulders above and below. 

We met one of those trains soon after we entered the canon, and at thetop of a grade where the road was scarcely wider than the stage itselfand seemed to be cut into a wall of solid rock. Just how we were to passthose huge wagons I did not see. But the driver stopped his horses andtwo of the men got out, the third stopping on the step and holding on tothe stage so it was impossible for me to get out, unless I went outthe other door and stood on the edge of an awful precipice. The driverlooked back, and not seeing me, bawled out, "Where is the lady?" "Getthe lady out!" The man on the step jumped down then, but the driverdid not put his reins down, or move from his seat until he had seen mesafely on the ground and had directed me where to stand. 

In the meantime some of the train men had come up, and, as soon as thestage driver was ready, they proceeded to lift the stage--trunks andall--over and on some rocks and tree tops, and then the four horses wereled around in between other rocks, where it seemed impossible for themto stand one second. There were three teams to come up, each consistingof about eight yoke of oxen and three or four wagons. It made me almostill to see the poor patient oxen straining and pulling up the gradethose huge wagons so heavily loaded. The crunching and groaning of thewagons, rattling of the enormous cable chains, and the creaking of theheavy yokes of the oxen were awful sounds, but above all came the yellsof the drivers, and the sharp, pistol-like reports of the long whipsthat they mercilessly cracked over the backs of the poor beasts. It wasmost distressing. 

After the wagons had all passed, men came back and set the stage onthe road in the same indifferent way and with very few words. Each manseemed to know just what to do, as though he had been training for yearsfor the moving of that particular stage. The horses had not stirred andhad paid no attention to the yelling and cracking of whips. While comingthrough the canons we must have met six or seven of those trains, everyone of which necessitated the setting in mid-air of the stage coach. Itwas the same performance always, each man knowing just what to do, anddoing it, too, without loss of time. Not once did the driver put downthe reins until he saw that "the lady" was safely out and it was everwith the same sing-song, "balance to the right, " voice that he askedabout me--except once, when he seemed to think more emphasis was needed, when he made the canon ring by yelling, "Why in hell don't you get thelady out!" But the lady always got herself out. Rough as he was, I feltintuitively that I had a protector. We stopped at Rock Creek for dinner, and there he saw that I had the best of everything, and it was the sameat Spitzler's, where we had supper. 

We got fresh horses at The Leavings, and when I saw a strange driver onthe seat my heart sank, fearing that from there on I might not havethe same protection. We were at a large ranch--sort of an inn--and justbeyond was Frozen Hill. The hill was given that name because a number ofyears ago a terrible blizzard struck some companies of infantry whileon it, and before they could get to the valley below, or to a place ofshelter, one half of the men were more or less frozen--some losing legs, some arms. They had been marching in thin clothing that was more orless damp from perspiration, as the day had been excessively hot. Theseblizzards are so fierce and wholly blinding, it is unsafe to move a stepif caught out in one on the plains, and the troops probably lost theirbearings as soon as the storm struck them. 

It was almost dark when we got in the stage to go on, and I thought itrather queer that the driver should have asked us to go to the corral, instead of his driving around to the ranch for us. Very soon we wereseated, but we did not start, and there seemed to be something wrong, judging by the way the stage was being jerked, and one could feel, too, that the brake was on. One by one those men got out, and just as thelast one stepped down on one side the heads of two cream-colored horsesappeared at the open door on the other side, their big troubled eyeslooking straight at me. 

During my life on the frontier I have seen enough of native horses toknow that when a pair of excited mustang leaders try to get inside astage, it is time for one to get out, so I got out! One of those menpassengers instantly called to me, "You stay in there!" I asked, "Why?""Because it is perfectly safe, " said a second man. I was very indignantat being spoken to in this way and turned my back to them. The drivergot the leaders in position, and then looking around, said to me thatwhen the balky wheelers once started they would run up the hill "likethe devil, " and I would surely be left unless I was inside the stage. 

I knew that he was telling the truth, and if he had been the first manto tell me to get in the coach I would have done so at once, but it sohappened that he was the fourth, and by that time I was beginning tofeel abused. It was bad enough to have to obey just one man, whenat home, and then to have four strange men--three of them idiots, too--suddenly take upon themselves to order me around was not to beendured. I had started on the trip with the expectation of taking careof myself, and still felt competent to do so. Perhaps I was very tired, and perhaps I was very cross. At all events I told the driver I wouldnot get in--that if I was left I would go back to the ranch. So I stayedoutside, taking great care, however, to stand close to the stage door. 

The instant I heard the loosening of the brake I jumped up on the step, and catching a firm hold each side of the door, was about to step inwhen one of those men passengers grabbed my arm and tried to jerk meback, so he could get in ahead of me! It was a dreadful thing for anyoneto do, for if my hands and arms had not been unusually strong fromriding hard-mouthed horses, I would undoubtedly have been thrownunderneath the big wheels and horribly crushed, for the four horses weregoing at a terrific gait, and the jerky was swaying like a live thing. As it was, anger and indignation gave me extra strength and I scrambledinside with nothing more serious happening than a bruised head. But thatman! He pushed in back of me and, not knowing the nice little ways ofjerkies, was pitched forward to the floor with an awful thud. But aftera second or so he pulled himself up on his seat, which was oppositemine, and there we two sat in silence and in darkness. I noticed thenext morning that there was a big bruise on one side of his face, at thesight of which I rejoiced very much. 

It was some distance this side of the hill when the driver stopped hishorses and waited for the two men who had been left. They seemed muchexhausted when they came up, but found sufficient breath to abuse thedriver for having left them; but he at once roared out, "Get in, Itell you, or I'll leave you sure enough!" That settled matters, and westarted on again. Very soon those men fell asleep and rolled off theirseats to the floor, where they snored and had bad dreams. I was jammedin a corner without mercy, and of course did not sleep one second duringthe long wretched night. Twice we stopped for fresh horses, and at bothplaces I walked about a little to rest my cramped feet and limbs. Atbreakfast the next morning I asked the driver to let me ride on top withhim, which he consented to, and from there on to Benton I had peace andfresh air--the glorious air of Montana. 

Yesterday--the day after I got here--I was positively ill from the awfulshaking up, mental as well as physical, I received on that stage ride. We reached Benton at eleven. Faye was at the hotel with an ambulancewhen the stage drove up, and it was amusing to look at the faces ofthose men when they saw Faye in his uniform, and the government outfit. We started for camp at once, and left them standing on the hotel porchwatching us as we drove down the street. It is a pity that such mencannot be compelled to serve at least one enlistment in the Army, and bedrilled into something that resembles a real man. But perhaps recruitingofficers would not accept them. 

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, October, 1878. 

MY stay at the little town of Sun River Crossing was short, for whenI arrived there the other day in the stage from Benton, I found a noteawaiting me from Mrs. Bourke, saying that I must come right on to FortShaw, so I got back in the stage and came to the post, a distance offive miles, where General Bourke was on the lookout for me. He is incommand of the regiment as well as the post, as Colonel Fitz-James isstill in Europe. Of course regimental headquarters and the band arehere, which makes the garrison seem very lively to me. The band is outat guard mounting every pleasant morning, and each Friday evening thereis a fine concert in the hall by the orchestra, after which we have alittle dance. The sun shines every day, but the air is cool and crispand one feels that ice and snow are not very far off. 

The order for the two companies on the Marias to return to the MilkRiver country was most unexpected. That old villain Sitting Bull, chiefof the Sioux Indians, made an official complaint to the "Great Father"that the half-breeds were on land that belonged to his people, and werekilling buffalo that were theirs also. So the companies have been sentup to arrest the half-breeds and conduct them to Fort Belknap, and tobreak up their villages and burn their cabins. The officers disliked theprospect of doing all this very much, for there must be many women andlittle children among them. Just how long it will take no one can tell, but probably three or four weeks. 

And while Faye is away I am staying with General and Mrs. Bourke. Icannot have a house until he comes, for quarters cannot be assignedto an officer until he has reported for duty at a post. There are twocompanies of the old garrison here still, and this has caused muchdoubling up among the lieutenants--that is, assigning one set ofquarters to two officers--but it has been arranged so we can be byourselves. Four rooms at one end of the hospital have been cut off fromthe hospital proper by a heavy partition that has been put up at theend of the long corridor, and these rooms are now being calcimined andpainted. They were originally intended for the contract surgeon. We willhave our own little porch and entrance hall and a nice yard back of thekitchen. It will all be so much more private and comfortable in everyway than it could possibly have been in quarters with another family. 

It is delightful to be in a nicely furnished, well-regulated house oncemore. The buildings are all made of adobe, and the officers' quartershave low, broad porches in front, and remind me a little of the housesat Fort Lyon, only of course these are larger and have more rooms. Thereare nice front yards, and on either side of the officers' walk is arow of beautiful cottonwood trees that form a complete arch. They arewatered by an acequia that brings water from Sun River several milesabove the post. The post is built along the banks of that river but Ido not see from what it derived its name, for the water is muddy all thetime. The country about here is rather rolling, but there are two largebuttes--one called Square Butte that is really grand, and the other isCrown Butte. The drives up and down the river are lovely, and I thinkthat Bettie and I will soon have many pleasant mornings together onthese roads. After the slow dignified drives I am taking almost everyday, I wonder how her skittish, affected ways will seem to me!

I am so glad to be with the regiment again--that is, with old friends, although seeing them in a garrison up in the Rocky Mountains is verydifferent from the life in a large city in the far South! Four companiesare still at Fort Missoula, where the major of the regiment is incommand. Our commanding officer and his wife were there also during thewinter, therefore those of us who were at Helena and Camp Baker, feelthat we must entertain them in some way. Consequently, now that everyoneis settled, the dining and wining has begun. Almost every day there isa dinner or card party given in their honor, and several very delightfulluncheons have been given. And then the members of the old garrison, according to army etiquette, have to entertain those that have justcome, so altogether we are very gay. The dinners are usually quiteelegant, formal affairs, beautifully served with dainty china andhandsome silver. The officers appear at these in full-dress uniform, andthat adds much to the brilliancy of things, but not much to the comfortof the officers, I imagine. 

Everyone is happy in the fall, after the return of the companies fromtheir hard and often dangerous summer campaign, and settles down for thewinter. It is then that we feel we can feast and dance, and it is then, too, that garrison life at a frontier post becomes so delightful. Weare all very fond of dancing, so I think that Faye and I will give acotillon later on. In fact, it is about all we can do while living inthose four rooms. 

We have Episcopal service each alternate Sunday, when the Rev. Mr. Clarkcomes from Helena, a distance of eighty-five miles, to hold one servicefor the garrison here and one at the very small village of Sun River. And once more Major Pierce and I are in the same choir. Doctor Gordonplays the organ, and beautifully, too. For some time he was organist ina church at Washington, and of course knows the service perfectly. Ourstar, however, is a sergeant! He came to this country with an operatroupe, but an attack of diphtheria ruined his voice for the stage, sohe enlisted! His voice (barytone) is still of exquisite quality, andjust the right volume for our hall. 

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, January, 1879. 

THERE has been so much going on in the garrison, and so much for me toattend to in getting the house settled, I have not had time towrite more than the note I sent about dear little Billie. I miss himdreadfully, for, small as he was, he was always doing something cunning, always getting into mischief. He died the day we moved to this house, and it hurts even now when I think of how I was kept from caring for himthe last day of his short life. And he wanted to be with me, too, forwhen I put him in his box he would cling to my fingers and try to getback to me. It is such a pity that we ever cracked his nuts. His lowerteeth had grown to perfect little tusks that had bored a hole in theroof of his mouth. As soon as that was discovered, we had them cut off, but it was too late--the little grayback would not eat. 

We are almost settled now, and Sam, our Chinese cook, is doingsplendidly. At first there was trouble, and I had some difficulty inconvincing him that I was mistress of my own house and not at all afraidof him. Cagey has gone back to Holly Springs. He had become utterlyworthless during the summer camp, where he had almost nothing to do. 

Our little entertainment for the benefit of the mission here was awonderful success. Every seat was occupied, every corner packed, and wewere afraid that the old theater might collapse. We made eighty dollars, clear of all expenses. The tableaux were first, so the small peoplecould be sent home early. Then came our pantomime. Sergeant Thompsonsang the words and the orchestra played a soft accompaniment that madethe whole thing most effective. Major Pierce was a splendid Villikins, and as Dinah I received enough applause to satisfy anyone, but thecurtain remained down, motionless and unresponsive, just because Ihappened to be the wife of the stage manager!

The prison scene and Miserere from Il Trovatore were beautiful. SergeantMann instructed each one of the singers, and the result was far beyondour expectations. Of course the fine orchestra of twenty pieces was agreat addition and support. Our duet was not sung, because I was seizedwith an attack of stage fright at the last rehearsal, so Sergeant Mannsang an exquisite solo in place of the duet, which was ever so muchnicer. I was with Mrs. Joyce in one scene of her pantomime, "JohnSmith, " which was far and away the best part of the entertainment. Mrs. Joyce was charming, and showed us what a really fine actress she is. Theenlisted men went to laugh, and they kept up a good-natured clapping andlaughing from first to last. 

It was surprising that so many of the Sun River and ranch people came, for the night was terrible, even for Montana, and the roads must havebeen impassable in places. Even here in the post there were great driftsof snow, and the path to the theater was cut through banks higher thanour heads. It had been mild and pleasant for weeks, and only two nightsbefore the entertainment we had gone to the hall for rehearsal withfewer wraps than usual. We had been there about an hour, I think, whenthe corporal of the guard came in to report to the officer of the day, that a fierce blizzard was making it impossible for sentries to walkpost. His own appearance told better than words what the storm was. Hehad on a long buffalo coat, muskrat cap and gauntlets, and the fur fromhis head down, also heavy overshoes, were filled with snow, and at eachend of his mustache were icicles hanging. He made a fine, soldierlypicture as he brought his rifle to his side and saluted. The officerof the day hurried out, and after a time returned, he also smotheredin furs and snow. He said the storm was terrific and he did not see howmany of us could possibly get to our homes. 

But of course we could not remain in the hall until the blizzard hadceased, so after rehearsing a little more, we wrapped ourselves up aswell as we could and started for our homes. The wind was blowing athurricane speed, I am sure, and the heavy fall of snow was being carriedalmost horizontally, and how each frozen flake did sting! Those of uswho lived in the garrison could not go very far astray, as the fenceswere on one side and banks of snow on the other, but the light snow hadalready drifted in between and made walking very slow and difficult. Weall got to our different homes finally, with no greater mishap thana few slightly frozen ears and noses. Snow had banked up on the floorinside of our front door so high that for a few minutes Faye and Ithought that we could not get in the house. 

Major Pierce undertook to see Mrs. Elmer safely to her home at thesutler's store, and in order to get there they were obliged to cross awide space in between the officers' line and the store. Nothing could beseen ten feet from them when they left the last fence, but they triedto get their bearings by the line of the fence, and closing their eyes, dashed ahead into the cloud of blinding, stinging snow. Major Piercehad expected to go straight to a side door of the store, but the awfulstrength of the wind and snow pushed them over, and they struck a cornerof the fence farthest away--in fact, they would have missed the fencealso if Mrs. Elmer's fur cape had not caught on one of the pickets, andgone out on the plains to certain death. Bright lights had been placedin the store windows, but not one had they seen. These storms kill somany range cattle, but the most destructive of all is a freeze after achinook, that covers the ground with ice so it is impossible for themto get to the grass. At such times the poor animals suffer cruelly. Weoften hear them lowing, sometimes for days, and can easily imagine thatwe see the starving beasts wandering on and on, ever in search of anuncovered bit of grass. The lowing of hundreds of cattle on a coldwinter night is the most horrible sound one can imagine. 

Cold as it is, I ride Bettie almost every day, but only on the highground where the snow has been blown off. We are a funny sight sometimeswhen we come in--Bettie's head, neck, and chest white with her frozenbreath, icicles two or three inches long hanging from each side of herchin, and my fur collar and cap white also. I wear a sealskin cap withbroad ear tabs, long sealskin gauntlets that keep my hands and armswarm, and high leggings and moccasins of beaver, but with the furinside, which makes them much warmer. A tight chamois skin waistunderneath my cadet-cloth habit and a broad fur collar completes ariding costume that keeps me warm without being bungling. I found asealskin coat too warm and heavy. 

No one will ride now and they do not know what fine exercise they aremissing. And I am sure that Bettie is glad to get her blood warm onceduring the twenty-four hours. Friends kindly tell me that some day Iwill be found frozen out on the plains, and that the frisky Bettiewill kill me, and so on. I ride too fast to feel the cold, and Bettie Ienjoy--all but the airs she assumes inside the post. Our house is nearthe center of the officers' line, and no matter which way I go or whatI do, that little beast can never be made to walk one step until we getout on the road, but insists upon going sideways, tossing her head, and giving little rears. It looks so affected and makes me feel veryfoolish, particularly since Mrs. Conger said to me the other day: "Whydo you make your horse dance that way--he might throw you. " I then askedher if she would not kindly ride Bettie a few times and teach her tokeep her feet down. But she said it was too cold to go out!

We have much more room in this house than we had in the hospital, andare more comfortable every way. Almost every day or evening there issome sort of an entertainment--german, dinner, luncheon, or card party. I am so glad that we gave the first cotillon that had ever been givenin the regiment, for it was something new on the frontier; thereforeeveryone enjoyed it. Just now the garrison seems to have gone cotilloncrazy, and not being satisfied with a number of private ones, a germanclub has been organized that gives dances in the hall every two weeks. So far Faye has been the leader of each one. With all this pleasure, thesoldiers are not being neglected. Every morning there are drills and afunny kind of target practice inside the quarters, and of course thereare inspections and other things. 

FORT ELLIS, MONTANA TERRITORY, January, 1879. 

IT is still cold, stinging cold, and we are beginning to thinkthat there was much truth in what we were told on our way over lastfall--that Fort Ellis is the very coldest place in the whole territory. For two days the temperature was fifty below, and I can assure youthat things hummed! The logs of our house made loud reports like pistolshots, and there was frost on the walls of every room that were not nearroaring fires. No one ventures forth such weather unless compelled todo so, and then, of course, every precaution is taken to guard againstfreezing. In this altitude one will freeze before feeling the cold, asI know from experience, having at the present time two fiery red ears ofenormous size. They are fiery in feeling, too, as well as in color. 

The atmosphere looks like frozen mist, and is wonderful, and almost atany time between sunrise and sunset a "sun dog" can be seen with itsscintillating rainbow tints, that are brilliant yet exquisitely delicatein coloring. Our houses are really very warm--the thick logs areplastered inside and papered, every window has a storm sash and everyroom a double floor, and our big stoves can burn immense logs. Butnotwithstanding all this, our greatest trial is to keep things to eat. Everything freezes solid, and so far we have not found one edible thatis improved by freezing. It must be awfully discouraging to a cook tofind on a biting cold morning, that there is not one thing in the housethat can be prepared for breakfast until it has passed through thethawing process; that even the water in the barrels has become solid, round pieces of ice! All along the roof of one side of our house areimmense icicles that almost touch the snow on the ground. These are areminder of the last chinook!

But only last week it was quite pleasant--not real summery, but warmenough for one to go about in safety. Faye came down from the saw-millone of those days to see the commanding officer about something and toget the mail. When he was about to start back, in fact, was telling megood-by, I happened to say that I wished I could go, too. Faye said:"You could not stand the exposure, but you might wear my little furcoat" Suggesting the coat was a give-in that I at once took advantageof, and in precisely twenty minutes Charlie, our Chinese cook, had beentold what to do, a few articles of clothing wrapped and strapped, andI on Bettie's back ready for the wilds. An old soldier on a big corralhorse was our only escort, and to his saddle were fastened our variousbags and bundles. 

Far up a narrow valley that lies in between two mountain ranges, thegovernment has a saw-mill that is worked by twenty or more soldiersunder the supervision of an officer, where lumber can be cut when neededfor the post. One of these ranges is very high, and Mount Bridger, firstof the range and nearest Fort Ellis, along whose base we had to go, hassnow on its top most of the year. Often when wind is not noticeable atthe post, we can see the light snow being blown with terrific forcefrom the peak of this mountain for hundreds of yards in a perfectlyhorizontal line, when it will spread out and fall in a magnificent sprayanother two or three hundred feet. 

The mill is sixteen miles from Fort Ellis, and the snow was verydeep--so deep in places that the horses had difficulty in getting theirfeet forward, and as we got farther up, the valley narrowed into aravine where the snow was even deeper. There was no road or even trailto be seen; the bark on trees had been cut to mark the way, but farastray we could not have gone unless we had deliberately ridden up theside of a mountain. The only thing that resembled a house along thesixteen miles was a deserted cabin about half way up, and which onlyaccentuated the awful loneliness. 

Bettie had been standing in the stable for several days, and that, withthe biting cold air in the valley, made her entirely too frisky, and shewas very nervous, too, over the deep snow that held her feet down. Wewent Indian file--I always in the middle--as there were little gradesand falling-off places all along that were hidden by the snow, and I wascautioned constantly by Faye and Bryant to keep my horse in line. Thesnow is very fine and dry in this altitude, and never packs as it doesin a more moist atmosphere. 

When we had ridden about one half the distance up we came to a littlehill, at the bottom of which was known to be a bridge that crossed thedeep-cut banks of one of those mountain streams that are dry elevenmonths of the year and raging torrents the twelfth, when the snow melts. It so happened that Faye did not get on this bridge just right, so downin the light snow he and Pete went, and all that we could see of themwere Faye's head and shoulders and the head of the horse with the awfulbulging eyes! Poor Pete was terribly frightened, and floundered aboutuntil he nearly buried himself in snow as he tried to find somethingsolid upon which to put his feet. 

I was just back of Faye when he went down, but the next instant I hadretreated to the top of the hill, and had to use all the strength in myarms to avoid being brought back to the post. When Bettie saw Pete godown, she whirled like a flash and with two or three bounds was ontop of the hill again. She was awfully frightened and stood close toBryant's horse, trembling all over. Poor Bryant did not know what to door which one to assist, so I told him to go down and get the lieutenantup on the bank and I would follow. Just how Faye got out of hisdifficulty I did not see, for I was too busy attending to my ownaffairs. Bettie acted as though she was bewitched, and go down to thebridge she would not. Finally, when I was about tired out, Faye said wemust not waste more time there and that I had better ride Pete. 

So I dismounted and the saddles were changed, and then there was moretrouble. Pete had never been ridden by a woman before, and thinking, perhaps, that his sudden one-sidedness was a part of the bridgeperformance, at once protested by jumps and lunges, but he soon quieteddown and we started on again. Bettie danced a little with Faye, butthat was all. She evidently remembered her lost battle with him at CampBaker. 

It was almost dark when we reached the saw-mill, and as soon as itbecame known that I was with the "lieutenant" every man sprang up fromsome place underneath the snow to look at me, and two or three ran overto assist Bryant with our things. It was awfully nice to know that I wasa person of importance, even if it was out in a camp in the mountainswhere probably a woman had never been before. The little log cabin builtfor officers had only the one long room, with large, comfortable bunk, two tables, chairs, a "settle" of pine boards, and near one end of theroom was a box stove large enough to heat two rooms of that size. By thetime my stiffened body could get inside, the stove had been filled tothe top with pine wood that roared and crackled in a most cheerful andinviting manner. 

But the snow out there! I do not consider it advisable to tell the exacttruth, so I will simply say that it was higher than the cabin, but thatfor some reason it had left an open space of about three feet all aroundthe logs, and that gave us air and light through windows which had beenthoughtfully placed unusually high. The long stable, built againsta bank, where the horses and mules were kept, was entirely buriedunderneath the snow, and you would never have dreamed that there wasanything whatever there unless you had seen the path that had beenshoveled down to the door. The cabin the men lived in, I did not see atall. We were in a ravine where the pine forest was magnificent, but onecould see that the trees were shortened many feet by the great depth ofsnow. 

Our meals were brought to us by Bryant from the soldiers' mess, and asthe cook was only a pick-up, they were often a mess indeed, but everyeffort was made to have them nice. The day after we got there the cookevidently made up his mind that some recognition should be shown ofthe honor of my presence in the woods, so he made a big fat pie for mydinner. It was really fat, for the crust must have been mostly of lard, and the poor man had taken much pains with the decorations of twistedrings and little balls that were on the top. It really looked very niceas Bryant set it down on the table in front of me, with an air that themost dignified of butlers might have envied, and said, "Complimentsof the cook, ma'am!" Of course I was, and am still, delighted with theattention from the cook, but for some reason I was suspicious of thatpie, it was so very high up, so I continued to talk about it admiringlyuntil after Bryant had gone from the cabin, and then I tried to cut it!The filling--and there was an abundance--was composed entirely of big, hard raisins that still had their seeds in. The knife could not cutthem, so they rolled over on the table and on the floor, much likemarbles. I scooped out a good-sized piece as well as I could, gatheredup the runaway raisins, and then--put it in the stove. 

And this I did at every dinner while I was there, almost trembling eachtime for fear Bryant would come in and discover how the pie was beingdisposed of. It lasted long, for I could not cut off a piece for Faye, as Bryant had given us to understand in the beginning that the chefd'oeuvre was for me only. 

Nothing pleases me more than to have the enlisted men pay me somelittle attention, and when the day after the pie a beautiful little graysquirrel was brought to me in a nice airy box, I was quite overcome. He is very much like Billie in size and color, which seems remarkable, since Billie was from the far South and this little fellow from the farNorth. I wanted to take him out of the box at once, but the soldier saidhe would bite, and having great respect for the teeth of a squirrel, Ilet him stay in his prison while we were out there. 

The first time I let him out after we got home he was frantic, andjumped on the mantel, tables, and chairs, scattering things right andleft. Finally he started to run up a lace window curtain back of thesewing machine. On top of the machine was a plate of warm cookiesthat Charlie had just brought to me, and getting a sniff of those thesquirrel stopped instantly, hesitated just a second, and then over hejumped, took a cookie with his paws and afterwards held it with histeeth until he had settled himself comfortably, when he again took itin his paws and proceeded to eat with the greatest relish. After he hadeaten all he very well could, he hid the rest back of the curtain inquite an at-home way. There was nothing at all wonderful in all this, except that the squirrel was just from the piney woods where warm sugarcakes are unknown, so how did he know they were good to eat?

I was at the saw-mill four days, and then we all came in together and onbob sleds. There were four mules for each sleigh, so not much attentionwas paid to the great depth of snow. Both horses knew when we got tothe bridge and gave Bryant trouble. Every bit of the trail out hadbeen obliterated by drifting snow, and I still wonder how these animalsrecognized the precise spot when the snow was level in every place. 

We found the house in excellent order, and consider our new Chinamana treasure. A few days before Faye went to the mill I made some Bostonbrown bread. I always make that myself, as I fancy I can make it verygood, but for some reason I was late in getting it on to steam thatday, so when I went to the kitchen to put it in the oven I found amuch-abused Chinaman. When he saw what I was about to do he became veryangry and his eyes looked green. He said, "You no put him in l'oven. "I said, "Yes, Charlie, I have to for one hour. " He said, "You no careworkman, you sploil my dee-nee, you get some other boy. "

Now Charlie was an excellent servant and I did not care to lose him, butto take that bread out was not to be considered. I would no longer havebeen mistress of my own house, so I told him quietly, "Very well, " andclosed the oven door with great deliberation. The dinner was a littlebetter than usual, and I wondered all the time what the outcome wouldbe. I knew that he was simply piqued because I had not let him make thebread. After his work was all done he came in and said, with a smilethat was almost a grin, "I go now--I send 'nother boy, " and go he did. But the "other boy" came in time to give us a delicious breakfast, andeverything went on just the same as when old Charlie was here. He is inBozeman and comes to see us often. 

This Charlie takes good care of my chickens that are my pride anddelight. There are twenty, and every one is snow white; some have heavyround topknots. I found them at different ranches. It is so cold herethat chicken roosts have to be covered with strips of blanket and madeflat and broad, so the feathers will cover the chickens' feet, otherwisethey will be frozen. It is a treat to have fresh eggs, and withouthaving to pay a dollar and a half per dozen for them. That is the pricewe have paid for eggs almost ever since we came to the Territory. 

FORT ELLIS, MONTANA TERRITORY, June, 1880. 

EVERYTHING is packed and on the wagons--that is, all but the camp outfitwhich we will use on the trip over--and in the morning we will starton our way back to Fort Shaw. With the furniture that belongs to thequarters and the camp things, we were so comfortable in our own housewe decided that there was no necessity to go to Mrs. Adams's, exceptfor dinner and breakfast, although both General and Mrs. Adams have beenmost hospitable and kind. 

The way these two moves have come about seems very funny to me. Fayewas ordered over here to command C Company when it was left without anofficer, because he was senior second lieutenant in the regiment andentitled to it. The captain of this company has been East on recruitingservice, and has just been relieved by Colonel Knight, captain of Faye'scompany at Shaw; as that company is now without an officer, the seniorsecond lieutenant has to return and command his own company. Thisrecognition of a little rank has been expensive to us, and disagreeabletoo. The lieutenants are constantly being moved about, often detailsthat apparently do not amount to much but which take much of their smallsalary. 

The Chinaman is going with us, for which I am most thankful, and at hisrequest we have decided to take the white chickens. Open boxes have beenmade specially for them that fit on the rear ends of the wagons, andwe think they will be very comfortable--but we will certainly look likeemigrants when on the road. The two squirrels will go also. The men ofthe company have sent me three squirrels during the winter. The dearestone of all had been injured and lived only a few days. The flyingsquirrel is the least interesting and seems stupid. It will lie aroundand sleep during the entire day, but at dark will manage to get on somehigh perch and flop down on your shoulder or head when you least expectit and least desire it, too. The little uncanny thing cannot fly, really, but the webs enable it to take tremendous leaps. I expectthat it looks absurd for us to be taking across the country a smallmenagerie, but the squirrels were presents, and of course had to go, andthe chickens are beautiful, and give us quantities of eggs. Besides, ifwe had left the chickens, Charlie might not have gone, for he feeds themand watches over them as if they were his very own, and looks very crossif the striker gives them even a little corn. 

Night before last an unusually pleasant dancing party was given byCaptain McAndrews, when Faye and I were guests of honor. It was such asurprise to us, and so kind in Captain McAndrews to give it, for he is abachelor. Supper was served in his own quarters, but dancing was in thevacant set adjoining. The rooms were beautifully decorated with flags, and the fragrant cedar and spruce. Mrs. Adams, wife of the commandingofficer, superintended all of the arrangements and also assisted inreceiving. The supper was simply delicious--as all army suppers are--andI fancy that she and other ladies of the garrison were responsible forthe perfect salads and cakes. 

The orchestra was from Bozeman, so the music was very good. Quite aparty of young people also, many of them friends of ours, came up fromBozeman, which not only swelled the number of guests, but gave life tothe dance, for in a small garrison like this the number of partners islimited. The country about here is beautiful now; the snow is meltingon the mountains, and there is such a lovely green every place, I almostwish that we might have remained until fall, for along the valleys andthrough the canons there are grand trails for horseback riding, whileFort Shaw has nothing of the kind. 

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, July, 1880. 

WE are with the commanding officer and his wife for a few days while ourhouse is being settled. Every room has just been painted and tinted andlooks so clean and bright. The Chinaman, squirrels, and chickens arethere now, and are already very much at home, and Charlie is delightedthat the chickens are so much admired. 

The first part of the trip over was simply awful! The morning wasbeautiful when we left Ellis--warm and sunny--and everybody came to seeus oft. We started in fine spirits, and all went well for ten or twelvemiles, when we got to the head waters of the Missouri, where the threesmall rivers, Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison join and make the one bigriver. The drive through the forest right there is usually delightful, and although we knew that the water was high in the Gallatin by FortEllis, we were wholly unprepared for the scene that confronted us whenwe reached the valley. Not one inch of ground could be seen--nothingbut the trees surrounded; by yellow, muddy water that showed quite acurrent. 

The regular stage road has been made higher than the ground because ofthese July freshets, when the snow is melting on the mountains, but itwas impossible to keep on it, as its many turns could not be seen, and it would not have helped much either, as the water was deep. Theambulance was in the lead, of course, so we were in all the excitementof exploring unseen ground. The driver would urge the mules, and if theleaders did not go down, very good--we would go on, perhaps a few yards. If they did go down enough to show that it was dangerous that way, hewould turn them in another direction and try there. Sometimes it wasnecessary almost to turn around in order to keep upon the higherground. In this way mules and drivers worked until four o'clock inthe afternoon, the dirty water often coming up over the floor of theambulance, and many times it looked as if we could not go on one stepfarther without being upset in the mud and water. 

But at four we reached an island, where there was a small house and astable for the stage relay horses, and not far beyond was another islandwhere Faye decided to camp for the night. It was the only thing hecould have done. He insisted upon my staying at the house, but I finallyconvinced him that the proper place for me was in camp, and I went onwith him. The island was very small, and the highest point above watercould not have been over two feet. Of course everything had to beupon it--horses, mules, wagons, drivers, Faye and I, and the two smallsquirrels, and the chickens also. In addition to our own travelingmenagerie there were native inhabitants of that island--millions andmillions of mosquitoes, each one with a sharp appetite and sharp sting. We thought that we had learned all about vicious mosquitoes while in theSouth, but the Southern mosquitoes are slow and caressing in comparisonto those Montana things. 

It was very warm, and the Chinaman felt sorry for the chickens shut upin the boxes, where fierce quarrels seemed to be going on all the time. So after he had fed them we talked it over, and decided to let themout, as they could not possibly get away from us across the big body ofwater. There were twenty large chickens in one big box, and twenty-sevensmall ones that had been brought in a long box by themselves. Well, Charlie and one of the men got the boxes down and opened them. At oncethe four or five mother hens clucked and scratched and kept on cluckinguntil the little chicks were let out, when every one of them ran to itsown mother, and each hen strutted off with her own brood. That is theabsolute truth, but is not all. When night came the chickens went backto their boxes to roost--all but the small ones. Those were left outsidewith their mothers, and just before daylight Charlie raised a greatcommotion when he put them up for the day's trip. 

When we were about ready to start in the morning, a man came over fromthe house and told Faye that he would pilot us through the rest of thewater, that it was very dangerous in places, where the road had beenbuilt up, and if a narrow route was not carefully followed, a team wouldgo down a bank of four or five feet. He had with him just the skeletonof a wagon--the four wheels with two or three long boards on top, drawnby two horses. So we went down in the dirty water again, that seemed toget deeper and deeper as we splashed on. 

Now and then I could catch a glimpse of our pilot standing up on theboards very much like a circus rider, for the wagon wheels were twistingaround over the roots of trees and stones, in a way that requiredcareful balancing on his part. We got along very well until about noon, when a soldier came splashing up on a mule and told Faye that one of thewagons had turned over! That was dreadful news and made me most anxiousabout the trunks and chests, and the poor chickens, too, all of whichmight be down under the water. 

They got the ambulance under some trees, unfastened the mules and ledthem away, leaving me alone, without even the driver. The soldier hadthoughtfully led up Pete for Faye to ride back, and the mules wereneeded to assist in pulling the wagon up. Fortunately the wagon wascaught by a tree and did not go entirely over, and it so happened, too, that it was the one loaded more with furniture than anything else, sonot much damage was done. 

Our pilot had left us some time before, to hurry on and get anypassengers that might come in the stage that runs daily between Helenaand Bozeman. As soon as I began to look around a little after I was leftalone in the ambulance, I discovered that not so very far ahead was anopening in the trees and bushes, and that a bit of beautiful dry landcould be seen. I was looking at it with longing eyes when suddenlysomething came down the bank and on into the water, and not beingparticularly brave, I thought of the unprotected position I was in. Butthe terrible monster turned out to be our pilot, and as he came nearer, I saw that he had something on the wagon--whether men or women or merebags of stuff I could not tell. 

But in time he got near enough for me to see that two men were withhim--most miserable, scared tourists--both standing up on the seesawingboards, the first with arms around the pilot's neck, and the second withhis arms around him. They were dressed very much alike, each onehaving on his head an immaculate white straw hat, and over his coata long--very long--linen duster, and they both had on gloves! Theirtrousers were pulled up as high as they could get them, giving a finedisplay of white hose and low shoes. The last one was having additionalwoe, for one leg of his trousers was slipping down, and of course it wasimpossible for him to pull it up and keep his balance. Every turn ofthe wheels the thick yellow water was being spattered on them, and I canimagine the condition they were in by the time they reached the littleinn on the island. The pilot thought they were funny, too, for when hepassed he grinned and jerked his head back to call my attention to them. He called to know what had happened to me, and I told him that I was aderelict, and he would ascertain the cause farther on. 

After a while--it seemed hours to me--Faye and the wagons came up, andin time we got out of the awful mess and on dry land. It was the Fourthof July, and we all wished for a gun or something that would make a loudnoise wherewith we could celebrate--not so much the day as ourrejoicing at getting out of the wilderness. The men were in a deplorablecondition, wet and tired, for no one had been able to sleep the nightbefore because of the vicious mosquitoes and the stamping of the pooranimals. So, when Faye saw one of the drivers go to a spring for water, and was told that it was a large, fine spring, he decided to camp rightthere and rest before going farther. 

But rest we could not, for the mosquitoes were there also, and almostas bad as they had been on the island, and the tents inside were coveredwith them as soon as they were pitched. If there is a person who thinksthat a mosquito has no brain, and is incapable of looking ahead, thatperson will soon learn his mistake if ever he comes to the MissouriRiver, Montana! The heat was fierce, too, and made it impossible for usto remain in the tents, so we were obliged, after all, to sit out underthe trees until the air had cooled at night sufficiently to chill themosquitoes. 

The chickens were let out at every camp, and each time, without fail, they flew up to their boxes on the wagons. Charlie would put in littletemporary roosts, that made them more comfortable, and before daylightevery morning he would gather up the little ones and the mothers andput them in the crates for the day. He is willing and faithful, but hasqueer ideas about some things. Just as I was getting in the ambulancethe second morning on the trip, I heard a crunching sound and thenanother, and looking back, I saw the Chinaman on top of the mess chestwith head bent over and elbows sticking out, jumping up and down withall his strength. 

I ran over and told him not to do so, for I saw at once what was thematter. But he said, "He velly blig--he no go downee--me flixee him, "and up and down he went again, harder than ever. After a lengthyargument he got down, and I showed him once more how to put the thingsin so the top would shut tight. There were a good many pieces of brokenchina, and these Charlie pitched over in the water with a grin thatplainly said, "You see--me flixee you!" Of course the soldiers saw itall and laughed heartily, which made Charlie very angry, and gave him afine opportunity to express himself in Chinese. The rest of the trip waspleasant, and some of the camps were delightful, but I am afraid that Ino longer possess beautiful white chickens--my Chinaman seems to be theowner of all, big and small. 

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, August, 1880. 

THE company has been ordered to "proceed without delay" to FortMaginnis, a post that is just being established, and to assist anothercompany in building temporary log quarters. The other company will gofrom Fort Missoula, and has to remain at the new post during the winter, but Faye's company will return here in November. We were all ready to goto the Yellowstone Park next week with General and Mrs. Bourke, but thisorder from Department Headquarters upsets everything. The company wasdesignated there, and go it must, although Faye has been at Fort Shawonly six weeks. He has command, of course, as Colonel Knight is East onrecruiting service, and the first lieutenant is abroad. 

General and Mrs. Bourke could not understand at first why I would notgo with them to the park, just the same, but I understood perfectly, andsaid at once that I would go to Maginnis with Faye. For, to go in onedirection where there is only a weekly mail, and Faye to go in anotherdirection where there is no mail at all, and through an Indian country, was not to be considered one second. I was half afraid that thecommanding officer might forbid my going with Faye, as he could havedone, but he did not, and when he saw that I could not be persuaded tochange my mind, an ambulance was ordered to go with the command, so Ican have a shelter when it storms, for I shall ride Bettie on the trip. 

The distance over is one hundred and fifty miles right across mountainsand valleys, and there will be only a faint trail to guide us, and I amanticipating great delight in such a long horseback ride through a wildcountry. We will have everything for our comfort, too. Faye will be incommand, and that means much, and a young contract surgeon, who has beenrecently appointed, will go with us, and our Chinese cook will go also. I have always wanted to take a trip of this kind, and know that itwill be like one long picnic, only much nicer. I never cared for realpicnics--they always have so much headache with them. We have verylittle to do for the march as our camp outfit is in unusually finecondition. After Charlie's "flixee" so much mess-chest china, Faye hadmade to order a complete set for four people of white agate ware withblue bands. We have two sets of plates, vegetable dishes, cups andsaucers, egg cups, soup plates, and a number of small pieces. The platesand dishes, also platters, can be folded together, and consequentlyrequire very little room, and it is a great comfort to know that thesethings are unbreakable, and that we will not be left without plates forthe table when we get in the wilds, and the ware being white looks verynice, not in the least like tin. It came yesterday, just in time. 

The two squirrels I carried to the woods and turned loose. I couldnot take them, and I would not leave them to be neglected perhaps. The"Tiger" was still a tiger, and as wild and fierce as when he came fromthe saw-mill, and was undoubtedly an old squirrel not to be taught newtricks. The flying thing was wholly lacking in sense. I scattered poundsof nuts all about and hope that the two little animals will not suffer. The Chinaman insisted upon our taking those chickens! He goes outevery now and then and gives them big pans of food and talks to them inChinese with a voice and expression that makes one almost want to weep, because the chickens have to be left behind. 

We are to start on the eighteenth, and on the nineteenth we had expectedto give a dinner--a very nice one, too. I am awfully sorry that we couldnot have given it before going away, for there are so many things todo here during the winter. The doctor has had no experience whatever incamp life, and we are wondering how he will like it. He looks like a manwho would much prefer a nice little rocking-chair in a nice little room. 

CAMP NEAR JUNOT'S, IN THE JUDITH BASIN, August, 1880. 

THIS will be left at a little trading store as we pass to-morrowmorning, with the hope that it will soon be taken on to Benton andposted. 

So far, the trip has been delightful, and every bit as nice as I hadanticipated. The day we left the post was more than hot--it was simplyscorching; and my whole face on the right side, ear and all, wasblistered before we got to the ferry. Just now I am going through aprocess of peeling which is not beautifying, and is most painful. 

Before we had come two miles it was discovered that a "washer" waslacking on one of the wheels of a wagon, and a man was sent back on amule to get one. This caused a delay and made Faye cross, for it reallywas inexcusable in the wagon master to send a wagon out on a trip likethis in that condition. The doctor did not start with the command, butrode up while we were waiting for the man with the washer. The soldierswere lounging on the ground near the wagons, talking and laughing; butwhen they saw the doctor coming, there was perfect silence over there, and I watched and listened, curious to see what effect the funny sightwould have upon them. First one sat up, then another, and some stoodup, then some one of them giggled, and that was quite enough to starteveryone of them to laughing. They were too far away for the laughingand snickering to be disrespectful, or even to be noticed much, but Iknew why they laughed, for I laughed too. 

The doctor did not present a military appearance. He is the verysmallest man I ever saw, and he was on a government horse that is knownby its great height--sixteen hands and two inches, I believe--and thelittle man's stirrups were about half way down the horse's sides, and his knees almost on the horse's back. All three of us are wearingofficers' white cork helmets, but the doctor's is not a success, beingever so much too large for his small head, consequently it had tiltedback and found a resting place on his shoulders, covering his ears andthe upper part of his already hot face. For a whip he carried a littleswitch not much longer than his gauntlets, and which would have puzzledthe big horse, if struck by it. With it all the little man could notride, and as his government saddle was evidently intended for a bigperson, he seemed uncertain as to which was the proper place to sit--thepommel, the middle, or the curved back. All during that first day'smarch the soldiers watched him. I knew this, although we were at thehead of the column--for every time he would start his horse up a littleI could hear smothered laughter back of us. 

It was late when we finally got across the Missouri on the funnyferryboat, so we camped for the night on this side near the ferryman'shouse. It was the doctor's first experience in camp, and of course hedid not know how to make himself comfortable. He suffered from theheat, and became still warmer by rushing up and down fanning himselfand fighting mosquitoes. Then after dinner he had his horse saddled, a soldier helped him to mount, and he rode back and forth bobbing allsorts of ways, until Faye could stand it no longer and told him to showsome mercy to the beast that had carried him all day, and would have todo the same for days to come. 

Most of the camps have been in beautiful places--always by some clearstream where often there was good trout fishing. In one or two of thesewe found grayling, a very gamey fish, that many epicures consider moredelicate than the trout. We have a fine way of keeping fish for thefollowing day. As soon as possible after they have been caught we packthem in long, wet grass and put them in a cool spot, and in this waythey will keep remarkably fresh. 

We have had an abundance of game, too--all kinds of grouse and prairiechicken, and the men killed one antelope. The Chinaman thought thatFaye shot quite too many birds, and began to look cross when they werebrought in, which annoyed me exceedingly, and I was determined to stopit. So one evening, after Faye had taken some young chicken to the cooktent, I said to the doctor, "Come with me, " and going over to the tentI picked up the birds and went to some trees near by, and handing thedoctor one, asked him to help me pick them, at the same time commencingto pull the feathers out of one myself. The poor doctor looked as thoughhe was wishing he had made a specialty of dementia, and stood like agoose, looking at the chicken. Charlie soon became very restless--wentinside the tent, and then came out, humming all the time. Finally hegave in, and coming over to us, fairly snatched the birds from me andsaid, "Me flixee him, " and carried the whole bunch back of his tentwhere we could not see him. Since that evening Charlie has been the mostdelighted one in camp when Faye has brought birds in. 

All the way we have had only a faint trail to follow, and often eventhat could not be seen after we had crossed a stream. At such placesFaye, the doctor, and I would spread out and search for it. As Bettieand I were always put in the middle, we were usually the finders. Oneday we came up a hill that was so steep that twelve mules had to behitched to each wagon in order to get it up. Another day we went downa hill where the trail was so sidling, that the men had to fasten bigropes to the upper side of each wagon to hold it right side up as it wasdrawn down. Another day we made only a few miles because of the deep-cutbanks of a narrow little stream that wound around and across a valley, and which we had to cross eight times. At every crossing the banks hadto be sloped off and the bed built up before the wagons could be drawnover. Watching all this has been most entertaining and the whole trip ismaking a man of the doctor. 

To-night we are in camp in the Judith Basin and by the Judith River--abeautiful stream, and by far the largest we have seen on the march. Andjust across the river from us is a stockade, very high and very large, with heavy board gate that was closed as we came past. We can see theroof of the cabin inside, and a stovepipe sticking up through it. Fayesays that he has just heard that the place is a nest of horse thieves ofthe boldest and most daring type, and that one of them is coming to seehim this evening! He was told all this by the Frenchman, Junot, who hasa little trading store a mile or so from here. 

Faye and the doctor rode over there as soon as the tents had beenpitched, to ascertain if the company from Missoula had passed. Our trailand the one from the Bitter Root valley fork there. The company passedseveral days ago, so we will go on in the morning; otherwise we wouldhave been obliged to wait for it. 

I had to stay here all alone as Faye would not consent to my going withhim. He gave me one of his big pistols, and I had my own small one, and these I put on a table in the tent, after they had gone, and thenfastened the tent flaps tight and sat down to await events. But the tentsoon became stifling, and it occurred to me that it was foolish to shutmyself up so I could not see whatever might come until it was right uponme, so putting my pistol in my pocket and hiding the other, I opened thetent and went out. The first thing I saw was a fishing pole with lineand fly, and that I took, and the next was the first sergeant watchingme. I knew then that Faye had told him to take care of me. 

I went over to tell him that I was going for a fish, and then on down tothe beautiful river, whose waters are green and very much the color ofthe Niagara River. I cast the fly over on the water, and instantly alarge fish came up, took the fly, and went down again so easily andgracefully that he scarcely made a ripple on the water until he feltthe pull of the line. That was when I forgot everything connected withcamp--Faye, horse thieves, and Indians! I had no reel, of course, andgetting the big fish out of the water was a problem, for I was standingon a rather high and steep bank. It jumped and jerked in a way that mademe afraid I might be pulled down instead of my pulling the fish up, so Ibegan to draw him in, and then up, hand over hand, not daring tobreathe while he was suspended in the air. It called for every bit of mystrength, as the shiny thing was so heavy. But I got him; and his lengthwas just twice the width of my handkerchief--a splendid salmon trout. I laid it back of a rock in the shade, and went on down the stream, casting my one fly, and very soon I caught another trout of preciselythe same size as the first, and which I landed the same way, too. I putit by the rock with the other. 

I kept on down the river, whipping it with my lucky fly every few steps, but I caught no more fish, neither did I get a rise, but I did not mindthat, for I had the two beauties, and I was having a grand time too. Ihad caught both large fish without assistance and with a common willowpole. All that serenity was upset, however, when I heard my name calledwith such a roar that I came near jumping over the bank to save myselffrom whatever was after me, but the "What are you doing so far fromcamp?" came just in time to stop me. 

It was Faye, of course, and he was cross because I had gone so faralone, and had, in a way, disregarded his instructions--had done as Ipleased after he had left me alone. I wanted to go to Junot's, thereforewas not one bit sorry that I had frightened him, and said not a wordto his sputtering about the danger from Indians and horse thieves as westarted back to camp. After we had gone a little distance up I said, "Ileft something by that rock. " I tried to lift the big fish to show him, but they were too heavy, and I had to hold up one at a time as Isaid, "This is Mr. Indian and this Mr. Horse Thief!" Faye was almostspeechless over my having caught two such large trout, and startedto camp with them at such a pace I had to run, almost, to keep up. Hethought of something of great importance to say to the first sergeant, simply because he wanted to show them to the company. Some beautifultrout have been brought in by the enlisted men who went up the river, and I am so glad, for now they will have such a nice supper. 

The horse thieves undoubtedly knew this country well, when they selectedthis valley for their hiding place. They have an abundance of deliciousfish the year round at their very door, and there is any amount ofgame near, both furred and feathered, and splendid vegetables theycan certainly raise, for they have just sent Faye a large grain sackoverflowing with tender, sweet corn, new beets, turnips, cabbage, andpotatoes. These will be a grand treat to us, as our own vegetables gaveout several days ago. But just think of accepting these things from aband of desperadoes and horse thieves! Their garden must be inside theimmense stockade, for there is nothing of the kind to be seen outside. They probably keep themselves in readiness for a long siege by sheriffand posse that may come down upon them at any time without warning. Andall the time they know that if ever caught stealing horses, their trialwill last just as long as it will take to drag them to a tree that has agood strong branch. 

Charlie says that he is a mason and reads every evening in a book thatis of his own printing. It is really wonderful. Every evening afterdinner he sits out in front of his tent with a large silk handkerchiefover his head, and perhaps another with which to fight the ever-presentmosquitoes, and reads until dark. He is the only literary person in thecommand and we are quite proud of him. He is a great comfort to Faye andme, for his cooking is delicious. The doctor has a camp appetite now andis not as finicky as when we started on the trip. 

FORT MAGINNIS, MONTANA TERRITORY, September, 1880. 

IT is almost one week since we got here, but I have not written beforeas no mail has been sent out. I hope that the letter left with Junot hasbeen received, also the two or three notes that were given to horsemenwe met on their way to Fort Benton. 

At first, Faye did not tell me all that he knew about those horsethieves in the Judith Basin, but it finally came out that the trader, Junot, had told him a most blood-curdling tale of events to come. He haddeclared most positively that the desperadoes were planning to attackthe command, the very next morning while crossing the Judith Mountains, with a hope, of course, of getting the animals. He also told Faye thatone of them would be in camp that evening to ask permission to go withhim to Maginnis. Faye said the whole story was absurd, particularlythe attack, as those horse thieves would never dare attack governmenttroops. Besides, he had over fifty good men with him, and probably therewere only ten or twelve horse thieves. So not much attention was paid towhat the old Frenchman had said. 

But after dinner, when we were sitting outside and Faye and the doctorwere smoking, a man came around the corner of the tent with long, swinging strides, and was in our midst before we had dreamed of anyonebeing near. He spoke to Faye courteously, and declining a chair, droppeddown full length on the ground, with elbows in the grass and chin on thepalms of his hands. His feet were near the tent and his face out, whichplaced him in a fine position to observe everything in the camp withoutanyone seeing that he was doing so, especially as his eyes were screenedby a soft, broad-brimmed hat. It was impossible to see their color, ofcourse. 

He was young--not over twenty-eight or thirty--and handsome, with a facethat was almost girlish in its fairness. His hair was neatly cut, and sowas his light mustache, and his smooth face showed that he had recentlyshaved. He was tall and lithe, and from his chin to his toes was dressedin fine buckskin--shirt, trousers, leggings, and moccasins--and aroundhis neck was tied a blue cotton handkerchief, new and clean. That theman could be a horse thief, an outlaw, seemed most incredible. 

He talked very well, too, of the country and the game, and we wereenjoying the change in our usual after-dinner camp conversation, whensuddenly up he jumped, and turning around looked straight at Faye, andthen like a bomb came the request to be allowed to go with him to FortMaginnis! He raised the brim of his hat, and there seemed to be a lookof defiance in his steel-blue eyes. But Faye had been expecting this, and knowing that he was more than a match for the villain, he got upfrom his camp stool leisurely, and with great composure told the man:"Certainly, I will be very glad to have some one along who knowsthe trail so well. " To be told that he knew the trail must have beendisconcerting to the man, but not one word did he say in reference toit. 

After he had gone, Faye went over to the company, where he remained sometime, and I learned later that he had been giving the first sergeantcareful instructions for the next day. I could not sleep that nightbecause of horrible dreams--dreams of long, yellow snakes with fieryeyes crawling through green grass. I have thought so many times since ofhow perfectly maddening it must have been to those horse thieves to havetwenty-two nice fat mules and three horses brought almost within theshadow of their very own stockade, and yet have it so impossible togather them in!

At the appointed time the buckskin-man appeared the following morningon a beautiful chestnut horse with fancy bridle and Mexican saddle, andwith him came a friend, his "pal" he told Faye, who was much older andwas a sullen, villainous-looking man. Both were armed with rifles andpistols, but there was nothing remarkable in that; in this country itis a necessity. We started off very much as usual, except that Faye keptrather close to the "pal, " which left Bettie and me alone most of thetime, just a little at one side. I noticed that directly back of thehorse thieves walked a soldier, armed with rifle and pistol, and Fayetold me that night that he was one of the best sharpshooters in theArmy, and that he was back of those men with orders to shoot them downlike dogs if they made one treacherous move. The buckskin man was one ofthe most graceful riders I ever saw, and evidently loved his fine mount, as I saw him stroke his neck several times--and the man himself wascertainly handsome. 

Faye had told me that I must not question anything he might tell meto do, so after we had crossed the valley and gone up the mountains alittle distance he called to me in a voice unnecessarily loud, that Imust be tired riding so far, and had better get in the ambulance fora while. I immediately dismounted, and giving the bridle rein to asoldier, I waited for the ambulance to come up. As I got in, I felt thatperhaps I was doing the first act in an awful tragedy. The horsemen andwagons had stopped during the minute or two I was getting in, but I sawsoldiers moving about, and just as soon as I was seated I looked out tosee what was going on. 

A splendid old sergeant was going to the front with four soldiers, whomI knew were men to be trusted, each one with rifle, bayonet, and beltfull of cartridges, and then I saw that some of the plans for that day'strip had not been told to me. The men were placed in front of everyone, four abreast, and Faye at once told the thieves that under no conditionsmust one ever get in front of the advance guard. How they must havehated it all--four drilled soldiers in front of them and a sharpshooterback of them, and all the time treated by Faye as honored guests!

There were four men at the rear of the wagons, and the posting of theserear and advance guards, and placing men on either side of the wagons, had been done without one order from Faye, so my dismounting must havebeen the signal for the sergeant to carry out the orders Faye had givenhim the night before. Not by one turn of the head did those outlaws showthat they noticed those changes. 

In that way we crossed the range. We met a dozen or more men of the veryroughest type, each one heavily armed. They were in parties of two andthree, and Faye thinks that a signal was passed between one of them andthe "pal. " But there was no attack as had been predicted! What mighthave taken place, however, if Faye had not been prepared, no one cantell. Certainly part of Junot's story had been carried out--the horsethief came to the tent and came with us to Maginnis, and it was notbecause he wanted the protection of the troops. Faye insists that anattack was never thought of, but as he was responsible for governmentproperty, including the animals, he had to make preparation to protectthem. Of course those men wanted only the animals. We passed many placeson the divide that were ideal for an ambush--bluffs, huge boulders, andprecipices--everything perfect for a successful hold up. 

The men came on to the post with us, and were in camp two nights withthe soldiers. The second day from the Judith, we stopped for luncheonnear a small stream where there were a great many choke-cherry bushes, and "Buckskin Joe"*--that was his name--brought large bunches ofthe cherries to me. His manner showed refinement, and I saw that hiswonderful eyes could be tender as well as steely. Perhaps he had sistersat the old home, and perhaps, too, I was the first woman he had seenin months to remind him of them. I shall always believe that he is fromgood people some place East, that his "dare-devil" nature got him intosome kind of trouble there, and that he came to this wild country tohide from Justice. The very morning after we got here, not long afterour breakfast, he appeared at our tent with a fine young deer slungacross the back of his horse, which he presented to us. He had justkilled it. It was most acceptable, as there was no fresh meat in camp. He and his "pal" stayed around that day and night, and then quietlydisappeared. Not one of the soldiers, even, saw them go. 

*About six years after this occurrence, there was a graphic accountin the Western papers of the horrible death of "Buckskin Joe, " whowas known as one of the most daring and slippery horse thieves in theTerritory. After evading arrest many times, he was finally hunted downby a sheriff's posse, when his fiendish fighting excited the admirationof those who were killing him. A bullet broke one of his legs, andhe went down, but he kept on shooting--and so fast that no one daredapproach him. And when the forearm of his pistol hand was shattered, hegrasped the pistol with the other hand and continued to shoot, evenwhen he could not sit up, but had to hold himself up by the elbow of hisbroken arm. He was finally killed, fairly riddled with bullets. He knew, of course, all the time what his fate would be if taken alive, and hechose the cold lead instead of the end of a rope. 

It was pleasant to meet our old friends here. Colonel Palmer is incommand, and I was particularly glad to see them. After Mrs. Palmer hadembraced me she held me off a little and said: "What have you been doingto your face? my, but you are ugly!" The skin on the blistered side haspeeled off in little strips, leaving the new skin very white in betweenthe parched brown of the old, so I expect I do resemble a zebra or anIndian with his war paint on. The post, which is only a camp as yet, is located at the upper end of a beautiful valley, and back of us is acanon and mountains are on both sides. Far down the valley is a largeIndian village, and we can distinctly see the tepees, and often hear the"tom-toms" when the Indians dance. There are other Indian camps near, and it is not safe to go far from the tents without an escort. It seemsto be a wonderful country for game--deer, grouse, and prairie chicken. Twice we have seen deer come down from the mountains and drink from thestream just below the post. Bettie and I have scared up chicken everytime we have taken little runs around the camp, and Faye has shot largebags of them. They are not as great a treat to us as to our friends, forwe had so many on the way over. 

We have two wall tents, one for sitting room and one for bedroom, and infront a "fly" has been stretched. Our folding camp furniture makes thetents very comfortable. Back of these is the mess, or dining tent, andback of that is the cook tent. Charlie has a small range now, whichkeeps him squeaking or half singing all the time. One morning, beforewe got this stove from the quartermaster, breakfast was late, very late. The wind was blowing a gale, and after waiting and waiting, we concludedthat Charlie must be having trouble with the little sheet-iron campstove. So Faye went back to see what was the matter. He returnedlaughing, and said he had found a most unhappy Chinaman; that Charliewas holding the stove down with a piece of wood with one hand, and withthe other was trying to keep the breakfast on the stove. 

You know the stovepipe goes up through a piece of tin fastened in theroof of the tent, which is slanting, and when the canvas catches thewind and flops up and down and every other way, the stovepipe naturallyhas to go with it. The wind was just right that morning to flopeverything--canvas, pipe, stove, and breakfast, too--particularly thedelicate Saratoga chips Charlie had prepared for us, and which, Fayesaid, were being blown about like yellow rose leaves. The poor littleheathen was distracted, but when he saw Faye he instantly became ageneral and said at once, "You hole-ee him--me takee bleckfus. " So Fayehaving a desire for breakfast, held down the stove while Charlie gotthings together. The Saratoga chips were delicate and crisp and lookednice, too, but neither the doctor nor I asked Faye if they were some ofthe "rose leaves" or just plain potatoes from a dish!

Charlie is splendid and most resourceful. Very near our tent is a smallstream of cold, clear water, and on one side of this he has made alittle cave of stones through which the water runs, and in this hekeeps the butter, milk, and desserts that require a cool place. He ispottering around about something all the time. There is just one poorcow in the whole camp, so we cannot get much milk--only one pint eachday--but we consider ourselves very fortunate in getting any at all. Ibrought over fourteen dozen eggs, packed in boxes with salt. We are tostart back the first of November, so after we got here I worked out alittle problem in mathematics, and found that the eggs would last byusing only two each day. But Charlie does better than this; he willmanage to get along without eggs for a day or two, and will thensurprise us with a fine omelet or custard. But he keeps an exact accountand never exceeds his allowance. 

The doctor is still with us, and shows no inclination to join theofficers' mess that has just been started. He seems to think that he isone of the family, and would be greatly surprised, and hurt probably, ifhe should discover that we would rather be alone. 

FORT MAGINNIS, MONTANA TERRITORY, September, 1880. 

THERE is a large village of Cree Indians in the valley below, and forseveral days they were a great nuisance in the garrison. One brightmorning it was discovered that a long line of them had left their tepeesand were coming in this direction. They were riding single file, ofcourse, and were chanting and beating "tom-toms" in a way to make one'sblood feel frozen. I was out on one of the little hills at the time, riding Bettie, and happened to be about the first to see them. I startedfor the post at once at a fast gait and told Faye and Colonel Palmerabout them, but as soon as it was seen that they were actually coming tothe post, I rode out again about as fast as I had come in, and went to abit of high ground where I could command a view of the camp, and at thesame time be screened by bushes and rocks. And there I remained untilthose savages were well on their way back to their own village. 

Then I went in, and was laughed at by everyone, and assured by some thatI had missed a wonderful sight. The Crees are Canadian Indians and arehere for a hunt, by permission of both governments. They and the Siouxare very hostile to each other; therefore when four or five Siouxswooped down upon them a few days ago and drove off twenty of theirponies, the Crees were frantic. It was an insult not to be put upwith, so some of their best young warriors were sent after them. Theyrecaptured the ponies and killed one Sioux. 

Now an Indian is shrewd and wily! The Sioux had been a thief, thereforethe Crees cut off his right hand, fastened it to a long pole with thefingers pointing up, and with much fuss and feathers--particularlyfeathers--brought it to the "White Chief, " to show him that the good, brave Crees had killed one of the white man's enemies! The leadingIndian carried the pole with the hand, and almost everyone of those thatfollowed carried something also--pieces of flags, or old tin pans orbuckets, upon which they beat with sticks, making horrible noises. EachIndian was chanting in a sing-song, mournful way. They were dressedmost fancifully; some with red coats, probably discarded by the Canadianpolice, and Faye said that almost everyone had on quantities of beadsand feathers. 

Bringing the hand of a dead Sioux was only an Indian's way of beggingfor something to eat, and this Colonel Palmer understood, so great tincups of hot coffee and boxes of hard-tack were served to them. Then theydanced and danced, and to me it looked as though they intended to dancethe rest of their lives right on that one spot. But when they saw thatany amount of furious dancing would not boil more coffee, they stopped, and finally started back to their village. 

Faye tells me that as he was going to his tent from the dancing, henoticed an Indian who seemed to be unusually well clad, his moccasinsand leggings were embroidered with beads and he was wrapped in abright-red blanket, head as well as body. As he passed him a voice saidin the purest English, "Lieutenant, can you give me a sear spring for myrifle?" The only human being near was that Indian, wrapped closely ina blanket, with only his eyes showing, precisely as one would expect tosee a hostile dressed. Faye said that it gave him the queerest kind of asensation, as though the voice had come from another world. He asked theIndian where he had learned such good English and technical knowledgeof guns, and he said at the Carlisle school. He said also that he wasa Piegan and on a visit to some Cree friends. This was one of the manyproofs that we have had, that no matter how good an education the Indianmay receive, he will return to his blanket and out-of-the-pot way ofliving just as soon as he returns to his people. It would be foolish toexpect anything different. 

But those Cree Indians! The coffee had been good, very good, and theywanted more, so the very next morning they brought to Colonel Palmeran old dried scalp lock, scalp of "White Chief's enemy, " with the sameceremony as they had brought the hand. Then they sat around his tent andwatched him, giving little grunts now and then until in desperation heordered coffee for them, after which they danced. The men gave them bitsof tobacco too. Well, they kept this performance up three or four days, each day bringing something to Colonel Palmer to make him think they hadkilled a Sioux. This became very tiresome; besides, the soldiers werebeing robbed of coffee, so Colonel Palmer shut himself in his tent andrefused to see them one day, and an orderly told them to go away andmake no noise. They finally left the post looking very mournful, the mensaid. I told Colonel Palmer that he might better have gone out on thehills as I did; that it was ever so much nicer than being shut up in atent. 

Bettie is learning to rear higher and higher, and I ride Pete now. Thelast time I rode her she went up so straight that I slipped back in mysaddle, and some of the enlisted men ran out to my assistance. I let herhave her own way and came back to the tent, and jumping down, declaredto Faye that I would never ride her again. She is very cute in herbadness, and having once discovered that I didn't like a rearing horse, she has proceeded to rear whenever she wanted her own way. I haveenjoyed riding her because she is so graceful and dainty, but I havebeen told so many times that the horse was dangerous and would throw me, that perhaps I have become a little nervous about her. 

A detail of soldiers goes up in the mountains twice every day for poleswith which to make the roofs of the log quarters. They go along a trailon the other side of the creek, and on this side is a narrow deer paththat runs around the rocky side of a small mountain. Ever since I havebeen here I have wanted to go back of the mountain by that path. So, when I happened to be out on Pete yesterday afternoon at the time themen started, I at once decided to take advantage of their protection andride around the little mountain. 

About half a mile up, there were quantities of bushes eight and ten feethigh down in the creek bed, and the narrow trail that Pete was on wasabout on a level with the tops of the bushes. At my left the hill wasvery steep and covered with stones. I was having a delightful time, feeling perfectly safe with so many soldiers within call. But suddenlythings changed. Down in those bushes there was a loud crashing andsnapping, and then straight up into the air jumped a splendid deer!His head and most of his neck were above the bushes, and for just oneinstant he looked at us with big inquisitive eyes before he went downagain. 

When the deer went up Pete went up, too, on the steep hill, and as Iwas on his back I had to go with him. The horse was badly frightened, snorted, and raised his tail high, and when I tried to get him down onthe trail, the higher up he went on the rolling stones. I could almosttouch the side of the mountain with my whip in places, it was so steep. It was a most dangerous position to be in, and just what elevation Imight have been carried to eventually I do not know, had not the deerstopped his crashing through the bushes and bounded up on the oppositebank, directly in front of the first team of mules, and then on hestreaked it across a plateau and far up a mountain side, his short whitetail showing distinctly as he ran. With the deer, Pete seemed to thinkthat the Evil One had gone, too, and consented to return to the trailand to cross the stream over to the wagons. 

The corporal had stopped the wagons until he saw that I was safely down, and I asked him why he had not killed the deer--we are always in need ofgame--and he said that he had not seen him until he was in front of themules, and that it was impossible then, as the deer did not wait forthem to get the rifles out of their cases on the bottom of the wagons. That evening at the whist table I told Colonel Palmer about the deer andPete, and saw at once that I had probably gotten the poor corporal introuble. Colonel Palmer was very angry that the men should even thinkof going several miles from the post, in an Indian country, with theirrifles cased and strapped so they would have been practically useless incase of an attack. 

Faye says that the men were not thinking of Indians, but simply tryingto keep their rifles from being marred and scratched, for if they didget so they would be "jumped" at the first inspection. Colonel Palmergave most positive orders for the soldiers to hold their rifles in theirhands on their way to and from the mountains, which perhaps is for thebest. 

But I am afraid they will blame me for such orders having been issued. 

FORT MAGINNIS, MONTANA TERRITORY, October, 1880. 

IT is not surprising that politicians got a military post establishedhere, so this wonderful country could be opened and settled, for thecountry itself is not only beautiful, but it has an amount of game everyplace that is almost beyond belief. Deer are frequently seen to comedown from the mountains to the creek for water, and prairie chickenwould come to our very tents, I fancy, if left to follow theirinclinations. 

Faye is officer of the day every third day, but the other two days thereis not much for him to do, as the company is now working on the newquarters under the supervision of the quartermaster. So we often go offon little hunts, usually for chicken, but sometimes we go up on one ofthe mountains, where there are quantities of ruffed grouse. These aredelicious, with meat as tender and white as young chicken, and they areso pretty, too, when they spread the ruffs around their necks and makefans of their short tail feathers. 

Yesterday we went out for birds for both tables--the officers' mess andour own. The other officers are not hunters, and Faye is the possessorof the only shotgun in the garrison, therefore it has been a greatpleasure to us to bring in game for all. Faye rides Bettie nowaltogether, so I was on Pete yesterday. We had quite a number ofchickens, but thought we would like to get two or three more; therefore, when we saw a small covey fly over by some bushes, and that one birdwent beyond and dropped on the other side, Faye told me to go on alittle, and watch that bird if it rose again when he shot at the others. It is our habit usually for me to hold Faye's horse when he dismounts tohunt, but that time he was some distance away, and had slipped his handthrough the bridle rein and was leading Bettie that way. Both horses areperfectly broken to firearms, and do not in the least mind a gun. I haveoften seen Bettie prick up her ears and watch the smoke come from thebarrel with the greatest interest. 

Everything went on very well until I got where I might expect to see thechicken, and then I presume I gave more thought to the bird than to theground the horse was on. At all events, it suddenly occurred to me thatthe grass about us was very tall, and looking down closely I discoveredthat Pete was in an alkali bog and slowly going down. I at once tried toget him back to the ground we had just left, but in his frantic effortsto get his feet out of the sticky mud, he got farther to one side andslipped down into an alkali hole of nasty black water and slime. ThatI knew to be exceedingly dangerous, and I urged the horse by voiceand whip to get him out before he sank down too deep, but with all hisefforts he could do nothing, and was going down very fast and groaningin his terror. 

Seeing that I must have assistance without delay, I called to Faye tocome at once, and sat very still until he got to us, fearing that if Ichanged my position the horse might fall over. Faye came running, andfinding a tuft of grass and solid ground to stand upon, pulled Pete bythe bridle and encouraged him until the poor beast finally struggledout, his legs and stomach covered with the black slime up to the flapsof my saddle, so one can see what danger we were in. There was no wayof relieving the horse of my weight, as it was impossible for me to jumpand not get stuck in the mud myself. This is the only alkali hole wehave discovered here. It is screened by bunches of tall grass, andI expect that many a time I have ridden within a few feet of it whenalone, and if my horse had happened to slip down on any one of thesetimes, we probably would have been sucked from the face of the earth, and not one person to come to our assistance or to know what hadhappened to us. 

When Faye heard my call of distress, he threw the bridle back on Bettie, and slipping the shotgun through the sling on the saddle, hurried overto me, not giving Bettie much thought. The horse has always shown thegreatest disinclination to leaving Pete, but having her own free willthat time, she did the unexpected and trotted to a herd of mules not faroff, and as she went down a little hill the precious shotgun slipped outof the sling to the ground, and the stock broke! The gun is perfectlyuseless, and the loss of it is great to us and our friends. To be inthis splendid game country without a shotgun is deplorable; still, to have been buried in a hole of black water and muck would have beenworse. 

Later. Such an awful wind storm burst upon us while I was writing twodays ago, I was obliged to stop. The day was cold and our tents wereclosed tight to keep the heat in, so we knew nothing of the storm untilit struck us, and with such fierceness it seemed as if the tents must godown. Instantly there was commotion in camp--some of the men tighteningguy ropes, and others running after blankets and pieces of clothingthat had been out for an airing, but every man laughed and made funof whatever he was doing. Soldiers are always so cheerful under suchdifficulties, and I dearly love to hear them laugh, and yell, too, overin their tents. 

The snow fell thick and fast, and the wind came through the canon backof us with the velocity of a hurricane. As night came on it seemed toincrease and the tents began to show the strain and one or two hadgone down, so the officers' families were moved into the unfinished logquarters for the night. Colonel Palmer sent for me to go over also, andMajor Bagley came twice for me, saying our tents would certainly fall, and that it would be better to go then, than in the middle of the night. But I had more faith in those tents, for they were new and pitchedremarkably well. Soon after we got here, long poles had been put up onstakes all along each side of, and close to, the tents, and to these theguy ropes of both tents and "fly" covers had been securely fastened, allof which had prevented much flopping of canvas. Dirt had been bankedall around the base of the tents, so with a very little fire we could bewarm and fairly comfortable. 

The wind seemed to get worse every minute, and once in a while therewould be a loud "boom" when a big Sibley tent would be ripped open, and then would come yells from the men as they scrambled after theirbelongings. After it became dark it seemed dismal, but Faye would not goin a building, and I would not leave him alone to hold the stove down. This was our only care and annoyance. It was intensely cold, and inorder to have a fire we were compelled to hold the pipe down on thelittle conical camp stove, for with the flopping of the tent and fly, the pipe was in constant motion. Faye would hold it for a while, then Iwould relieve him, and so on. The holding-down business was very funnyfor an hour or two, but in time it became monotonous. 

We got through the night very well, but did not sleep much. The tearingand snapping of tents, and the shouting of the men when a tent wouldfall upon them was heard frequently, and when we looked out in themorning the camp had the appearance of having been struck by a cyclone!Two thirds of the tents were flat on the ground, others were badly torn, and the unfinished log quarters only added to the desolation. Snow wasover everything ten or twelve inches deep. But the wind had gone downand the atmosphere was wonderfully clear, and sparkling, and full offrost. 

Dinner the evening before had not been a success, so we were very promptto the nice hot breakfast Charlie gave us. That Chinaman has certainlybeen a great comfort on this trip. The doctor came over looking crossand sick. He said at once that we had been wise in remaining in ourcomfortable tents, that everybody in the log houses was sneezing andcomplaining of stiff joints. The logs have not been chinked yet, and, asmight have been expected, wind and snow swept through them. The stoveshave not been set up, so even one fire was impossible. Two or three oftheir tents did go down, however, the doctor's included, and perhapsthey were safer in a breezy house, after all. 

The mail has been held back, and will start with us. The time of goingwas determined at Department Headquarters, and we will have to leavehere on the first--day after to-morrow--if such a thing is possible. Wereturn by the way of Benton. It is perfectly exasperating to see prairiechicken all around us on the snow. Early this morning there was a largecovey up in a tree just across the creek from our tent, looking over atus in a most insolent manner. They acted as though they knew there wasnot a shotgun within a hundred miles of them. They were perfectly safe, for everyone was too nearly frozen to trouble them with a rifle. 

Camping on the snow will not be pleasant, and we regret very much thatthe storm came just at this time. Charlie is busy cooking all sorts ofthings for the trip, so he will not have much to do on the little campstove. He is a treasure, but says that he wishes we could stay here;that he does not want to return to Fort Shaw. This puzzles me very much, as there are so many Chinamen at Shaw and not one here. The doctor willnot go back with us, as he has received orders to remain at this postduring the winter. 

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, November, 1880. 

THE past few days have been busy ones. The house has received muchneeded attention and camp things have been looked over and put away, ready for the next move. The trip back was a disappointment to me andnot at all pleasant. The wagons were very lightly loaded, so the menrode in them all the way, and we came about forty miles each day, themules keeping up a steady slow trot. Of course I could not ride thosedistances at that gait, therefore I was compelled to come in the old, jerky ambulance. 

The snow was still deep when we left Maginnis, and at the first campsnow had to be swept from the ground where our tent was pitched. Butafter that the weather was warm and sunny. We saw the greatest number offeathered game--enormous flocks of geese, brant, and ducks. Our camp onenight was near a small lake just the other side of Benton, and at duskhundreds of geese came and lit on the water, until it looked like onebig mass of live, restless things, and the noise was deafening. Someof the men shot at them with rifles, but the geese did not seem to mindmuch. 

Charlie told me at Maginnis that he did not want to return to Shaw, andI wondered at that so many times. I went in the kitchen two miserablemornings back and found him sitting down looking unhappy anddisconsolate. I do not remember to have ever seen a Chinaman sittingdown that way before, and was afraid he might be sick, but he said atonce and without preamble, "Me go 'way!" He saw my look of surprise andsaid again, "Me go 'way--Missee Bulk's Chinee-man tellee me go 'way. " Isaid, "But, Charlie, Lee has no right to tell you to go; I want youto stay. " He hesitated one second, then said in the most mournful ofvoices, "Yes, me know, me feel vellee blad, but Lee, he tellee me go--heno likee mason-man. " No amount of persuasion could induce him to stay, and that evening after dinner he packed his bedding on his back and wentaway--to the Crossing, I presume. Charlie called himself a mason, andhas a book that he made himself which he said was a "mason-man blook, "but I learned yesterday that he is a "high-binder, " no mason at all, and for that reason the Chinamen in the garrison would not permit him toremain here. They were afraid of him, yet he seemed so very trustworthyin every way. But a highbinder in one's own house!

There has been another departure from the family--Bettie has been sold!Lieutenant Warren wanted her to match a horse he had recently bought. The two make a beautiful little team, and Bettie is already a greatpet, and I am glad of that, of course, but I do not see the necessity ofLieutenant Warren's giving her sugar right in front of our windows! Hisquarters are near ours. He says that Bettie made no objections to theharness, but drove right off with her mate. 

There was a distressing occurrence in the garrison yesterday that Icannot forget. At all army posts the prisoners do the rough work, suchas bringing the wood and water, keeping the yards tidy, bringing theice, and so on. Yesterday morning one of the general prisoners hereescaped from the sentry guarding him. The long-roll was beaten, and asthis always means that something is wrong and calls out all the troops, officers and men, I ran out on the porch to see what was the matter, fearing there might be a fire some place. It seemed a long time beforethe companies got in line, and then I noticed that instead of firebuckets they were carrying rifles. Directly every company started offon double time and disappeared in between two sets of barracks at onecorner of the parade ground. Then everything was unusually quiet; nota human being to be seen except the sentry at the guardhouse, who waswalking post. 

It was pleasant, so I sat down, still feeling curious about the troublethat was serious enough to call out all the troops. It was not so verylong before Lieutenant Todd, who was officer of the day, came from thedirection the companies had gone, pistol in hand, and in front of himwas a man with ball and chain. That means that his feet were fastenedtogether by a large chain, just long enough to permit him to take shortsteps, and to that short chain was riveted a long one, at the endof which was a heavy iron ball hanging below his belt. When we see aprisoner carrying a ball and chain we know that he is a deserter, orthat he has done something very bad, which will probably send him to thepenitentiary, for these balls are never put on a prisoner who has only ashort time in the guardhouse. 

The prisoner yesterday--who seemed to be a young man--walked slowly tothe guardhouse, the officer of the day following closely. Going up thesteps and on in the room to a cot, he unfastened the ball from his beltand let it thunder down on the floor, and then throwing himself down onthe cot, buried his face in the blankets, an awful picture of woe anddespair. On the walk by the door, and looking at him with contempt, stood a splendid specimen of manhood--erect, broad-chested, with clear, honest eyes and a weather-beaten face--a typical soldier of the UnitedStates Army, and such as he, the prisoner inside might have become intime. Our house is separated from the guardhouse by a little parkonly, and I could plainly see the whole thing--the strong man and theweakling. 

In the meantime, bugles had called the men back to quarters, and verysoon I learned all about the wretched affair. The misguided young manhad deserted once before, was found guilty by a general court-martial, and sentenced to the penitentiary at Leavenworth for the regulation timefor such an offense, and to-morrow morning he was to have started forthe prison. Now he has to stand a second court-martial, and serve adouble sentence for desertion!

He was so silly about it too. The prisoners were at the large ice housedown by the river, getting ice out for the daily delivery. There weresentinels over them, of course, but in some way that man managed tosneak over the ice through the long building to an open door, throughwhich he dropped down to the ground, and then he ran. He was missedalmost instantly and the alarm given, but the companies were sent to thelowland along the river, where there are bushes, for there seemed to beno other place where he could possibly secrete himself. 

The officer of the day is responsible, in a way, for the prisoners, soof course Lieutenant Todd went to the ice house to find out the causeof the trouble, and on his way back he accidentally passed an oldbarrel-shaped water wagon. Not a sound was heard, but something toldhim to look inside. He had to climb up on a wheel in order to get highenough to look through the little square opening at the top, but he isa tall man and could just see in, and peering down he saw the wretchedprisoner huddled at one end, looking more like an animal than a humanbeing. He ordered him to come out, and marched him to the guardhouse. 

It was a strange coincidence, but the officer of the day happened tohave been promoted from the ranks, had served his three years as anenlisted man, and then passed a stiff examination for a commission. Onecould see by his walk that he had no sympathy for the mother's baby. He knew from experience that a soldier's life is not hard unless thesoldier himself makes it so. The service and discipline develop all thegood qualities of the man, give him an assurance and manly courage hemight never possess otherwise, and best of all, he learns to respect lawand order. 

The Army is not a rough place, and neither are the men starved orabused, as many mothers seem to think. Often the company commandersreceive the most pitiful letters from mothers of enlisted men, beseeching them to send their boys back to them, that they are beingtreated like dogs, dying of starvation, and so on. As though thesecompany commanders did not know all about those boys and the life theyhad to live. 

It is such a pity that these mothers cannot be made to realize that armydiscipline, regular hours, and plain army food is just what those "boys"need to make men of them. Judging by several letters I have read, sentto officers by mothers of soldiers, I am inclined to believe that weakmothers in many cases are responsible for the desertion of their weaksons. They sap all manhood from them by "coddling" as they grow up, andsend them out in the world wholly unequal to a vigorous life--alife without pie and cake at every meal. Well! I had no intention ofmoralizing this way, but I have written only the plain truth. 

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY September, 1881. 

THERE has been quite a little flutter of excitement in the garrisonduring the past week brought about by a short visit from the Marquisof Lome and his suite. As governor general of Canada, he had beeninspecting his own military posts, and then came on down across the lineto Shaw, en route to Dillon, where he will take the cars for the East. Colonel Knight is in command, so it fell upon him to see that Lord Lomewas properly provided for, which he did by giving up absolutely for hisuse his own elegantly furnished quarters. Lord Lome took possession atonce and quietly dined there that evening with one or two of his staff, and Colonel Knight as his guest. 

The members of the suite were entertained by different officers of thegarrison, and Captain Percival of the Second Life Guards was our guest. They were escorted across the line to this post by a company of Canadianmounted police, and a brave appearance those redcoats made as they rodeon the parade ground and formed two lines through which the governorgeneral and his staff rode, with the booming of cannon. Colonel Knightwent out to meet them, escorted by our mounted infantry in command ofLieutenant Todd. 

The horses of the mounted police were very small, and inferior in everyway to the animals one would expect the Canadian government to provide, and it did look very funny to see the gorgeously dressed police withtheir jaunty, side-tilted caps riding such wretched little beasts!

Our officers were on the parade to receive the governor general, and theregimental band was there also, playing all sorts of things. Presently, without stop, and as though it was the continuation of a melody, thefirst notes of "God Save the Queen" were heard. Instantly the headof every Englishman and Canadian was uncovered--quietly, and withoutostentation or slightest break in hand-shaking and talking. It waslike a military movement by bugle call! Some of us who were looking onthrough filmy curtains thought it a beautiful manifestation of lovingloyalty. They were at a military post of another nation, in the midst ofbeing introduced to its officers, yet not one failed to remember and toremind, that he was an Englishman ever!

Mrs. Gordon saved me the worry of preparing an elaborate dinner at thisfar-away place, by inviting us and our guest to dine with her and herguests. I am inclined to think that this may have been a shrewd move onthe part of the dear friend, so she could have Hang to assist herown cook at her dinner. It was a fine arrangement, at all events, andpleased me most of all. I made the salad and arranged the table for her. Judging from what I saw and heard, Hang was having a glorious time. Hehad evidently frightened the old colored cook into complete idiocy, andwas ordering her about in a way that only a Chinaman knows. 

The dinner was long, but delicious and enjoyable in every way. LordBagot, the Rev. Dr. MacGregor, Captain Chater, and others of thegovernor general's staff were there--sixteen of us in all. CaptainPercival sat at my right, of course, and the amount he ate was simplyappalling! And the appetites of Lord Bagot and the others were equallyfine. Course after course disappeared from their plates--not a scrapleft on them--until one wondered how it was managed. Soon after dinnereveryone went to Colonel Knight's quarters, where Lord Lome was holdinga little reception. He is a charming man, very simple in his manner, andone could hardly believe that he is the son-in-law of a great queen andheir to a splendid dukedom. 

He had announced that he would start at ten o'clock the next morning, so I ordered breakfast at nine. A mounted escort from the post was togo with him to Dillon in command of Faye. It has always seemed so absurdand really unkind for Americans to put aside our own ways andcustoms when entertaining foreigners, and bore them with wretchedrepresentations of things of their own country, thereby preventing themfrom seeing life as it is here. So I decided to give our English captainan out and out American breakfast--not long, or elaborate, but daintyand nicely served. And I invited Miss Mills to meet him, to give it alittle life. 

Well, nine o'clock came, so did Miss Mills, so did half after nine come, and then, finally ten o'clock, but Captain Percival did not come! I wasbecoming very cross--for half an hour before I had sent Hang up to callhim, knowing that he and Faye also, were obliged to be ready to startat ten o'clock. I was worried, too, fearing that Faye would have to gowithout any breakfast at all. Of course the nice little breakfast wasruined! Soon after ten, however, our guest came down and apologized verynicely--said that the bed was so very delightful be simply could notleave it. Right there I made a mental resolution to the effect that ifever a big Englishman should come to my house to remain overnight, Iwould have just one hour of delight taken from that bed!

To my great amusement, also pleasure. Captain Percival ate heartily ofeverything, and kept on eating, and with such apparent relish I began tothink that possibly it might be another case of "delight, " and finallyto wonder if Hang had anything in reserve. Once he said, "What excellentcooks you have here!" This made Miss Mills smile, for she knew that Hanghad been loaned out the evening before. Faye soon left us to attend tomatters in connection with the trip, but the three of us were having avery merry time--for Captain Percival was a most charming man--whenin the room came Captain Chater, his face as black as the proverbialthundercloud, and after speaking to me, looked straight and reprovinglyat Captain Percival and said, "You are keeping his excellency waiting!"That was like a bomb to all, and in two seconds the English captains hadshaken hands and were gone. 

The mounted police are still in the post, and I suspect that this isbecause their commander is having such a pleasant time driving anddining with his hostess, who is one of our most lovely and fascinatingwomen. I received a note from Faye this morning from Helena. He saysthat so far the trip has been delightful, and that in every way and byall he is being treated as an honored guest. Lord Lome declined a largereception in Helena, because the United States is in mourning for itsmurdered President. What an exquisite rebuke to some of our ignorantAmericans! Faye writes that Lord Lome and members of his staff areconstantly speaking in great praise of the officers' wives at Shaw, and have asked if the ladies throughout the Army are as charming andcultured as those here. 

Our young horses are really very handsome now, and their red coats areshining from good grooming and feeding. They are large, and perfectlymatched in size, color, and gait, as they should be, since they are halfbrothers. I am learning to drive now, a single horse, and find it veryinteresting--but not one half as delightful as riding--I miss a saddlehorse dreadfully. Now and then I ride George--my own horse--but healways reminds me that his proper place is in the harness, by making hisgait just as rough as possible. 

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, December, 1881. 

YOU will be greatly surprised to hear that Faye has gone to Washington!His father is very ill--so dangerously so that a thirty-days' leavewas telegraphed Faye from Department Headquarters, without his havingapplied for it so as to enable him to get to Admiral Rae without delay. Some one in Washington must have asked for the leave. It takes so longfor letters to reach us from the East that one never knows what maybe taking place there. Faye started on the next stage to Helena and atDillon will take the cars for Washington. 

Faye went away the night before the entertainment, which made itimpossible for me to be in the pantomime "Villikens and Dinah, "so little Miss Gordon took my place and acted remarkably well, notwithstanding she had rehearsed only twice. The very stage thatcarried Faye from the post, brought to us Mr. Hughes of Benton for a fewdays. But this turned out very nicely, for Colonel and Mrs. Mills, whoknow him well, were delighted to have him go to them, and there he isnow. The next day I invited Miss Mills and Mr. Hughes to dine with meinformally, and while I was in the dining room attending to the fewpieces of extra china and silver that would be required for dinner (aChinaman has no idea of the fitness of things), Volmer, our striker, came in and said to me that he would like to take the horses and thesingle buggy out for an hour or so, as he wanted to show them to afriend. 

I saw at once that he and I were to have our usual skirmish. There isone, always, whenever Faye is away any length of time. The man has afrightful temper, and a year ago shot and killed a deserter. He wasacquitted by military court, and later by civil court, both courtsdeciding that the shooting was accidental. But the deserter was acatholic and Volmer is a quaker, so the feeling in the company was sohostile toward him that for several nights he was put in the guardhousefor protection. Then Faye took him as striker, and has befriended himin many ways. But those colts he could not drive. So I told him that thehorses could not go out during the lieutenant's absence, unless I wentwith them. He became angry at once, and said that it was the first teamhe had ever taken care of that he was not allowed to drive as oftenas he pleased. A big story, of course, but I said to him quietly, "Youheard what I said, Volmer, and further discussion will be quite useless. You were never permitted to take the colts out when Lieutenant Rae washere, and now that he is away, you certainly cannot do so. " And I turnedback to my spoons and forks. 

Volmer went out of the room, but I had an uncomfortable feeling thatmatters were not settled. In a short time I became conscious of loudtalking in the kitchen, and could distinctly hear Volmer using mostabusive language about Faye and me. That was outrageous and not to betolerated a second, and without stopping to reason that it would bebetter not to hear, and let the man talk his anger off, out to thekitchen I went. I found Volmer perched upon one end of a large wood boxthat stands close to a door that leads out to a shed. I said: "Volmer, I heard what you have been saying, as you intended I should, and nowI tell you to go out of this house and stay out, until you can speakrespectfully of Lieutenant Rae and of me. " But he sat still and lookedsullen and stubborn. I said again, "Go out, and out; of the yard too. "But he did not move one inch. 

By that time I was furious, and going to the door that was so close tothe man he could have struck me, I opened it wide, and pointing outwith outstretched arm I said, "You go instantly!" and instantly hewent. Chinamen are awful cowards, and with the first word I said to thesoldier, Hang had shuffled to his own room, and there he had remaineduntil he heard Volmer go out of the house. Then he came back, andlooking at me with an expression of the most solemn pity, said, "Hevellee blad man--he killee man--he killee you, meb-bee!" The poor littleheathen was evidently greatly disturbed, and so was I, too. Not becauseI was at all afraid of being killed, but because of the two spiritedyoung horses that still required most careful handling. And Faye mightbe away several months! I knew that the commanding officer, also thequartermaster, would look after them and do everything possible toassist me, but at the same time I knew that there was not a man in thepost who could take Volmer's place with the horses. He is a splendidwhip and perfect groom. I could not send them to Mr. Vaughn's to run, asthey had been blanketed for a long time, and the weather was cold. 

Of course I cried a little, but I knew that I had done quite right, thatit was better for me to regulate my own affairs than to call upon thecompany commander to do so for me. I returned to the dining room, butsoon there was a gentle knock on the door, and opening it, I saw Volmerstanding in front of me, cap in hand, looking very meek and humble. Veryrespectfully he apologized, and expressed his regret at having offendedme. That was very pleasant, but knowing the man's violent temper, andthinking of coming days, I proceeded to deliver a lecture to the effectthat there was not another enlisted man in the regiment who would usesuch language in our house, or be so ungrateful for kindness that we hadshown him. Above all, to make it unpleasant for me when I was alone. 

I was so nervous, and talking to a soldier that way was so verydisagreeable, I might have broken down and cried again--an awful thingto have done at that time--if I had not happened to have seen Hang'shead sticking out at one side of his door. He had run to his room again, but could not resist keeping watch to see if Volmer was really intendingto "killee" me. He is afraid of the soldier, and consequently hates him. Soon after he came, Volmer, who is a powerful man, tied him down to hisbed with a picket rope, and such yells of fury and terror were neverheard, and when I ran out to see what on earth was the matter, theChinaman's eyes were green, and he was frothing at the mouth. For daysafter I was afraid that Hang would do some mischief to the man. 

It is the striker's duty always to attend to the fires throughout thehouse, and this Volmer is doing very nicely. But when Faye went away hetold Hang to take good care of me--so he, also, fixes the fires, and atthe same time shows his dislike for Volmer, who will bring the big woodin and make the fires as they should be. Just as soon as he goes out, however, in marches Hang, with one or two small pieces of wood on hissilk sleeve, and then, with much noise, he turns the wood in the stoveupside down, and stirs things up generally, after which he will put inthe little sticks and let it all roar until I am quite as stirred upas the fire. After he closes the dampers he will say to me in his mostamiable squeak, "Me flixee him--he vellee glood now. " This is all verynice as long as the house does not burn. 

Night before last Mrs. Mills invited me to a family dinner. ColonelMills was away, but Mr. Hughes was there, also Lieutenant Harvey to whomMiss Mills is engaged, and the three Mills boys, making a nice littleparty. But I felt rather sad--Faye was still en route to Washington, andgoing farther from home every hour, and it was impossible to tell whenhe would return, Mrs. Mills seemed distraite, too, when I first got tothe house, but she soon brightened up and was as animated as ever. Thedinner was perfect. Colonel Mills is quite an epicure, and he and Mrs. Mills have a reputation for serving choice and dainty things on theirtable. We returned to the little parlor after dinner, and were talkingand laughing, when something went bang! like the hard shutting of adoor. 

Mrs. Mills jumped up instantly and exclaimed, "I knew it--I knew it!"and rushed to the back part of the house, the rest of us running afterher. She went on through to the Chinaman's room, and there, on his cot, lay the little man, his face even then the color of old ivory. He hadfired a small Derringer straight to his heart and was quite dead. I didnot like to look at the dying man, so I ran for the doctor and almostbumped against him at the gate as he was passing. There was nothing thathe could do, however. 

Mrs. Mills told us that Sam had been an inveterate gambler--that he hadwon a great deal of money from the soldiers, particularly one, who hadthat very day threatened to kill him, accusing the Chinaman of havingcheated. The soldier probably had no intention of doing anything of thekind, but said it to frighten the timid heathen, just for revenge. Samhad eaten a little dinner, and was eating ice-cream, evidently, whensomething or somebody made him go to his room and shoot himself. Thenext morning the Chinamen in the garrison buried him--not in the postcemetery, but just outside. Upon the grave they laid one or two suitsof clothing, shoes--all Chinese, of course--and a great quantity offood--much of it their own fruits. That was for his spirit until itreached the Happy Land. The coyotes ate the food, but a Chinaman wouldnever believe that, so more food was taken out this morning. 

They are such a queer people! Hang's breakfast usually consists of aglass of cold water with two or three lumps of sugar dissolved in it anda piece of bread broken in it also. When it is necessary for Hang to beup late and do much extra work, I always give him a can of salmon, ofwhich he seems very fond--or a chicken, and tell him to invite one ortwo friends to sit with him. This smooths away all little frowns andkeeps things pleasant. Volmer killed the chicken once, and Hang broughtit to me with eyes blazing--said it was poor--and "He ole-ee hin, " soI found that the only way to satisfy the suspicious man was to let himselect his own fowl. He always cooks it in the one way--boils it withChinese fruits and herbs, and with the head and feet on--and I mustadmit that the odor is appetizing. But I have never tasted it, althoughHang has never failed to save a nice piece for me. He was with Mrs. Pierce two years, and it was some time before I could convince him thatthis house was regulated my way and not hers. Major Pierce was promotedto another regiment and we miss them very much. 

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, July, 1882. 

THE garrison seems lonesome since the two companies have been out, and Iam beginning to feel that I am at home alone quite too much. Faye was inWashington two months, and almost immediately after he got back he wasordered to command the paymaster's escort from Helena here, and now heis off again for the summer! The camp is on Birch Creek not far from thePiegan Agency. The agents become frightened every now and then, and askfor troops, more because they know the Indians would be justified ingiving trouble than because there is any. 

An officer is sent from the post to inspect all the cattle and rationsthat are issued to them--yet there is much cheating. Once it wasdiscovered that a very inferior brand of flour was being given theIndians--that sacks with the lettering and marks of the brand thegovernment was supposed to issue to them had been slipped over the sackswhich really held the inferior flour, and carefully tied. Just imaginethe trouble some one had taken, but there had been a fat reward, ofcourse, and then, where had those extra sacks come from--where had thefine flour gone?

Some one could have explained it all. I must admit, however, that anyonewho has seen an Indian use flour would say that the most inferior gradewould be good enough for them, to be mixed in dirty old pans, with stilldirtier hands. This lack of cleanliness and appreciation of things bythe Indians makes stealing from them very tempting. 

The very night after the troops had gone out there was an excitement inthe garrison, and, as usual, I was mixed up in it, not through my ownchoosing, however. I had been at Mrs. Palmer's playing whist during theevening, and about eleven o'clock two of the ladies came down to thehouse with me. The night was the very darkest I ever saw, and of this wespoke as we came along the walk. Almost all the lights were out in theofficers' quarters, making the whole post seem dismal, and as I came inthe house and locked the door, I felt as if I could never remainhere until morning. Hang was in his room, of course but would be noprotection whatever if anything should happen. 

Major and Mrs. Stokes have not yet returned from the East, so theadjoining house is unoccupied, and on my right is Mrs. Norton, who isalone also, as Doctor Norton is in camp with the troops. She had urgedme to go to her house for the night, but I did not go, because of thelittle card party. I ran upstairs as though something evil was at myheels and bolted my door, but did not fasten the dormer windows thatrun out on the roof in front. Before retiring, I put a small, lightedlantern in a closet and left the door open just a little, thinking thatthe streak of light would be cheering and the lantern give me a lightquickly if I should need one. 

Our breakfast had been very early that morning, on account of the troopsmarching, and I was tired and fell asleep immediately, I think. Aftera while I was conscious of hearing some one walking about in the roomcorresponding to mine in the next house, but I dozed on, thinking tomyself that there was no occasion for feeling nervous, as the peoplenext door were still up. But suddenly I remembered that the house wasclosed, and just then I distinctly heard some one go down the stairs. I kept very still and listened, but heard nothing more and soon went tosleep again, but again I was awakened--this time by queer noises--likesome one walking on a roof. There were voices, too, as if some one wasmumbling to himself. 

I got the revolver and ran to the middle of the room, where I stoodready to shoot or run--it would probably have been run--in anydirection. I finally got courage to look through a side window, feelingquite sure that Mrs. Norton was out with her Chinaman, looking aftersome choice little chickens left in her care by the doctor. But not onelight was to be seen in any place, and the inky blackness was awful tolook upon, so I turned away, and just as I did so, something cracked andrattled down over the shingles and then fell to the ground. But whichroof those sounds came from was impossible to tell. With "goose flesh"on my arms, and each hair on my head trying to stand up, I went back tothe middle of the room, and there I stood, every nerve quivering. 

I had been standing there hours--or possibly it was only two shortminutes--when there was one loud, piercing shriek, that made me almostscream, too. But after it was perfect silence, so I said to myself thatprobably it had been a cat--that I was nervous and silly. But there cameanother shriek, another, and still another, so expressive of terrorthat the blood almost froze in my veins. With teeth chattering and limbsshaking so I could hardly step, I went to a front window, and raising itI screamed, "Corporal of the guard!"

I saw the sentinel at the guardhouse stop, as though listening, in frontof a window where there was a light, and seeing one of the guard gavestrength to my voice, and I called again. That time the sentry took itup, and yelled, "Corporal of the guard, No. 1!" Instantly lanterns wereseen coming in our direction--ever so many of the guard came, and to ourgate as they saw me at a window. But I sent them on to the next housewhere they found poor Mrs. Norton in a white heap on the grass, quiteunconscious. 

The officer of the day was still up and came running to see what thecommotion was about--and several other officers came. Colonel Gregory, a punctilious gentleman of the old school--who is in command justnow--appeared in a striking costume, consisting of a skimpy eveninggown of white, a dark military blouse over that, and a pair of militaryriding boots, and he carried an unsheathed saber. He is very tall andthin and his hair is very white, and I laugh now when I think of howfunny he looked. But no one thought of laughing at that time. Mrs. Norton was carried in, and her house searched throughout. No one wasfound, but burned matches were on the floor of one or two rooms, whichgave evidence that some one had been there. 

In the yard back of the house a pair of heavy overshoes, also governmentsocks, were found, so it was decided that the man had climbed up on theroof and entered the house through a dormer window that had not beenfastened. No one would look for the piece of shingle that night, but inthe morning I found it on the ground close to the house. 

All the time the search was being made I had been in the window. ColonelMills insisted that I should go to his house for the remainder of thenight, but suggested that I put some clothes on first! It occurred to methen, for the first time, that my own costume was rather striking--notquite the proper thing for a balcony scene. Everyone was more than kind, but for a long time after Miss Mills and I had gone to her room my teethchattered and big tears rolled down my face. Mrs. Norton declares that Iwas more frightened than she was, and I say, "Yes, probably, but you didnot stop to listen to your own horrible screams, and then, after makingus believe that you were being murdered, you quietly dropped intooblivion and forgot the whole thing. "

Just as the entire garrison had become quiet once more--bang! went agun, and then again we heard people running about to see what was thematter, and if the burglar had been caught. But it proved to have beenthe accidental going off of a rifle at the guardhouse. The instantthat Colonel Gregory ascertained that a soldier had really been in Mrs. Norton's house, check roll-call was ordered--that is, the officer of theday went to the different barracks and ordered the first sergeantsto get the men up and call the roll at once, without warning orpreparation. In that way it was ascertained if the men were on theircots or out of quarters. But that night every man was "present oraccounted for. " At the hospital, roll-call was not necessary, but theyfound an attendant playing possum! A lantern held close to his face didnot waken him, although it made his eyelids twitch, and they found thathis heart was beating at a furious rate. His clothes had been throwndown on the floor, but socks were not to be found with them. 

So he is the man suspected.. He will get his discharge in three days, and it is thought that he was after a suit of citizen clothes of thedoctor's. Not so very long ago he was their striker. No one in thegarrison has ever heard of an enlisted man troubling the quarters ofan officer, and it is something that rarely occurs. I spend every nightwith Mrs. Norton now, who seems to have great confidence in my abilityto protect her, as I can use a revolver so well. She calmly sleeps on, while I remain awake listening for footsteps. The fact of my havingbeen at a military post when it was attacked by Indians--that a manwas murdered directly under my window, when I heard every shot, everymoan--and my having had two unpleasant experiences with horse thieves, has not been conducive to normal nerves after dark. 

During all the commotion at Mrs. Norton's the night the man got in herhouse, her Chinaman did not appear. One of the officers went to his roomin search of the burglar and found him--the Chinaman--sitting up in hisbed, almost white from fear. He confessed to having heard some one inthe kitchen, and when asked why he did not go out to see who it was, indignantly replied, "What for?--he go way, what for I see him?"

I feel completely upset without a good saddle horse. George isdeveloping quite a little speed in single harness, but I do not care fordriving--feel too much as though I was part of the little buggy insteadof the horse. Major and Mrs. Stokes are expected soon from the East, andI shall be so glad to have my old neighbors back. 

CAMP ON BIRCH CREEK, NEAR PIEGAN AGENCY, MONTANA TERRITORY, September, 1882. 

BY this time you must have become accustomed to getting letters from allsorts of out-of-the-way places, therefore I will not weary you with longexplanations, but simply say that Major Stokes and Faye sent for Mrs. Stokes and me to come to camp, thinking to give us a pleasant littleouting. We came over with the paymaster and his escort. Major Carpenterseemed delighted to have us with him, and naturally Mrs. Stokes and Iwere in a humor to enjoy everything. We brought a nice little luncheonwith us for everybody--that is, everyone in the ambulance. The escort ofenlisted men were in a wagon back of us, but the officer in charge waswith us. 

The Indians have quieted down, and several of the officers have gone onleave, so with the two companies now here there are only Major Stokes, who is in command, Faye, Lieutenant Todd, and Doctor Norton. Mrs. Stokeshas seen much of camp life, and enjoys it now and then as much as I do. The importance of our husbands as hosts--their many efforts to make uscomfortable and entertain us--is amusing, yet very lovely. They giveus no rest whatever, but as soon as we return from one little excursionanother is immediately proposed. There is a little spring wagon in campwith two seats, and there are two fine mules to pull it, and with thisreally comfortable turn-out we drive about the country. Major Stokes ismilitary inspector of supplies at this agency, and every Piegan knowshim, so when we meet Indians, as we do often, there is always a powwow. 

Three days ago we packed the little wagon with wraps and other things, and Major and Mrs. Stokes, Faye, and I started for a two days' outingat a little lake that is nestled far up on the side of a mountain. Itis about ten miles from here. There is only a wagon trail leading toit, and as you go on up and up, and see nothing but rocks and trees, itwould never occur to you that the steep slope of the mountain could bebroken, that a lake of good size could be hidden on its side. You donot get a glimpse of it once, until you drive between the bushes andboulders that border its banks, and then it is all before you in amazingbeauty. The reflections are wonderful, the high lights showing withexquisite sharpness against the dark green and purple depths of theclear, spring water. 

The lake is fearfully deep--the Indians insist that in places it isbottomless--and it is teeming with trout, the most delicious mountaintrout that can be caught any place, and which come up so cold one caneasily fancy there is an iceberg somewhere down below. Some of thesefish are fourteen or more inches long. 

It was rather late in the afternoon when we reached the lake, so wehurriedly got ourselves ready for fishing, for we were thinking of atrout dinner. Four enlisted men had followed us with a wagon, in whichwere our tents, bedding, and boxes of provisions, and these menbusied themselves at once by putting up the little tents and makingpreparations for dinner, and we were anxious to get enough fish fortheir dinner as well as our own. At a little landing we found tworow-boats, and getting in these we were soon out on the lake. 

If one goes to Fish Lake just for sport, and can be contented withtaking in two or three fish during an all day's hard work, flies shouldbe used always, but if one gets up there when the shadows are long andone's dinner is depending upon the fish caught, one might as well beginat once with grasshoppers--at least, that is what I did. I carried a boxof fine yellow grasshoppers up with me, and I cast one over before theboat had fairly settled in position. It was seized the instant ithad touched the water, and down, down went the trout, its white sidesglistening through the clear water. For some reason still unaccountableI let it go, and yard after yard of line was reeled out. Perhaps, afterall, it was fascination that kept me from stopping the plunge of thefish, that never stopped until the entire line was let out. That broughtme to my senses, and I reeled the fish up and got a fine trout, but Ialso got at the same time an uncontrollable longing for land. To be ina leaky, shaky old boat over a watery, bottomless pit, as the one thattrout had been down in, was more than I could calmly endure, so withundisguised disgust Faye rowed me back to the landing, where I caughtquite as many fish as anyone out in the boats. 

One of the enlisted men prepared dinner for us, and fried the trout inolive oil, the most perfect way of cooking mountain trout in camp. Theywere delicious--so fresh from the icy water that none of their delicateflavor had been lost, and were crisp and hot. We had cups of steamingcoffee and all sorts of nice things from the boxes we had brought fromthe post. A flat boulder made a grand table for us, and of course eachone had his little camp stool to sit upon. Altogether the dinner was asuccess, the best part of it being, perhaps, the exhilarating mountainair that gave us such fine appetites, and a keen appreciation ofeverything ludicrous. 

While we were fishing, our tents had been arranged for us in realsoldier fashion. Great bunches of long grass had been piled up on eachside underneath the little mattresses, which raised the beds from theground and made them soft and springy. Those "A" tents are very smalland low, and it is impossible to stand up in one except in the centerunder the ridgepole, for the canvas is stretched from the ridgepoleto the ground, so the only walls are back and front, where there is anopening. I had never been in one before and was rather appalled at itslimitations, and neither had I ever slept on the ground before, but Ihad gone prepared for a rough outing. Besides, I knew that everythingpossible had been done to make Mrs. Stokes and me comfortable. The airwas chilly up on the mountain, but we had any number of heavy blanketsthat kept us warm. 

The night was glorious with brilliant moonlight, and the shadows of thepine trees on the white canvas were black and wonderfully clear cut, asthe wind swayed the branches back and forth. The sounds of the wind weredismal, soughing and moaning as all mountain winds do, and made me thinkof the Bogy-man and other things. I found myself wondering if anythingcould crawl under the tent at my side. I wondered if snakes could havebeen brought in with the grass. I imagined that I heard things movingabout, but all the time I was watching those exquisite shadows of thepine needles in a dreamy sort of way. 

Then all at once I saw the shadow of one, then three, things as they ranup the canvas and darted this way and that like crazy things, and whichcould not possibly have grown on a pine tree. And almost at the sameinstant, something pulled my hair! With a scream and scramble I was soonout of that tent, but of course when I moved all those things had moved, too, and wholly disappeared. So I was called foolish to be afraid in atent after the weeks and months I had lived in camp. But just then Mrs. Stokes ran from her tent, Major Stokes slowly following, and then itcame out that there had been trouble over there also, and that I wasnot the only one in disgrace. Mrs. Stokes had seen queer shadows on hercanvas, and coming to me, said, "Will says those things are squirrels!"That was too much, and I replied with indignation, "They are notsquirrels at all; they are too small and their tails are not bushy. "

Well, there was a time! We refused absolutely, positively, to go backto our tents until we knew all about those darting shadows. We saw thatthose two disagreeable men had an understanding with each other and weremuch inclined to laugh. It was cold and our wrappers not very warm, but Mrs. Stokes and I finally sat down upon some camp stools to awaitevents. Then Faye, who can never resist an opportunity to tease, said tome, "You had better take care, mice might run up that stool!" So the catwas out! I have never been afraid of mice, and have always considered itvery silly in women to make such a fuss over them. But those field micewere different; they seemed inclined to take the very hair from yourhead. Of course we could not sit up all night, and after a time had toreturn to our tents. I wrapped my head up securely, so my hair could notbe carried off without my knowing something about it. Ever so many timesduring the night I heard talking and smothered laughter, and concludedthat the soldiers also were having small visitors with four swift littlelegs. 

We had more delicious trout for our breakfast; that time fried with tinystrips of breakfast bacon. The men had been out on the lake very early, and had caught several dozen beautiful fish. The dinner the eveningbefore had been much like an ordinary picnic, but the early breakfast upon the side of a mountain, with big boulders all around, was somethingto remember. One can never imagine the deliciousness of the airat sunrise up on the Rocky Mountains, It has to be breathed to beappreciated. 

Everyone fished during the morning and many fish were caught, every oneof which were carefully packed in wet grass and brought to Birch Creek, to the unfortunates who had not been on that most delightful trip toFish Lake. After luncheon we came down from the mountain and drove tothe Piegan Agency. The heavy wagon came directly to camp, of course. There is nothing remarkable to be seen at the agency--just a number ofordinary buildings, a few huts, and Indians standing around the door ofa store that resembles a post trader's. Every Indian had on a blanket, although Major Stokes said there were several among them who had been tothe Carlisle School. 

Along the road before we reached the agency, and for some distance afterwe had left it, we passed a number of little one-room log huts occupiedby Indians, often with two squaws and large families of children; and atsome of these we saw wretched attempts at gardening. Those Indians areprovided with plows, spades, and all sorts of implements necessary forthe making of proper gardens, and they are given grain and seeds toplant, but seldom are any of these things made use of. An Indian scornswork of any kind--that is only for squaws. The squaws will scratch up abit of ground with sticks, put a little seed in, and then leave it forthe sun and rain to do with as it sees fit. No more attention will bepaid to it, and half the time the seed is not covered. 

One old chief raised some wheat one year--I presume his squaws did allthe work--and he gathered several sackfuls, which was made into flour atthe agency mill. The chief was very proud. But when the next quarterlyissue came around, his ration of flour was lessened just the amount hiswheat had made, which decided all future farming for him! Why should he, a chief, trouble himself about learning to farm and then gain nothingin the end! There is a fine threshing machine at the agency, but theIndians will have nothing whatever to do with it. They cannot understandits workings and call it the "Devil Machine. "

As we were nearing the Indian village across the creek from us, we cameto a most revolting spectacle. Two or three Indians had just killed anox, and were slashing and cutting off pieces of the almost quiveringflesh, in a way that left little pools of blood in places on the side. There were two squaws with them, squatted on the ground by the deadanimal, and those hideous, fiendish creatures were scooping up thewarm blood with their hands and greedily drinking it! Can one imagineanything more horrible? We stopped only a second, but the scene was toorepulsive to be forgotten. It makes me shiver even now when I thinkof the flashing of those big knives and of how each one of the savagesseemed to be reveling in the smell and taste of blood! I feel that theycould have slashed and cut into one of us with the same relish. It wasmuch like seeing a murder committed. 

Major Stokes told us last evening that when he returned from the Easta few weeks ago, he discovered that one of a pair of beautiful pistolsthat had been presented to him had been stolen, that some one had goneupstairs and taken it out of the case that was in a closet correspondingto mine, so that accounts for the footsteps I heard in that house thenight the man entered Mrs. Norton's house. But how did the man know justwhere to get a pistol? The hospital attendant who was suspected thatnight got his discharge a few days later. He stayed around thegarrison so long that finally Colonel Gregory ordered him to leave thereservation, and just before coming from the post we heard that he hadshot a man and was in jail. A very good place for him, I think. 

We expect to return to the post in a few days. I would like to remainlonger, but as everybody and everything will go, I can't very well. Thetrout fishing in Birch Creek is very good, and I often go for a littlefish, sometimes alone and sometimes Mrs. Stokes will go with me. I donot go far, because of the dreadful Indians that are always wanderingabout. They have a small village across the creek from us, and everyevening we hear their "tom-toms" as they chant and dance, and when thewind is from that direction we get a smell now and then of their dirtytepees. Major Stokes and Mrs. Stokes, also, see the noble side ofIndians, but that side has always been so covered with blankets andother dirty things I have never found it!

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, November, 1882. 

YOU will be shocked, I know, when you hear that we arehouseless--homeless--that for the second time Faye has been ranked outof quarters! At Camp Supply the turn out was swift, but this time ithas been long drawn out and most vexatious. Last month Major Bagley camehere from Fort Maginnis, and as we had rather expected that he wouldselect our house, we made no preparations for winter previous to hiscoming. But as soon as he reached the post, and many times after, heassured Faye that nothing could possibly induce him to disturb us, andsaid many more sweet things. 

Unfortunately for us, he was ordered to return to Fort Maginnis tostraighten out some of his accounts while quartermaster, and Mrs. Bagleydecided to remain as she was until Major Bagley's return. He was awayone month, and during that time the gardener stored away in our littlecellar our vegetables for the winter, including quantities of beautifulcelery that was packed in boxes. All those things had to be taken downa ladder, which made it really very hard work. Having faith in MajorBagley's word, the house was cleaned from top to bottom, much paintingand calcimining having been done. All the floors were painted andhard-oiled, and everyone knows what discomfort that always brings about. But at last everything was finished, and we were about to settle down tothe enjoyment of a tidy, cheerful little home when Major Bagley appearedthe second time, and within two hours Faye was notified that hisquarters had been selected by him!

We are at present in two rooms and a shed that happened to beunoccupied, and I feel very much as though I was in a second-hand shop. Things are piled up to the ceiling in both rooms, and the shed is fullalso. All of the vegetables were brought up from the cellar, of course, and as the weather has been very cold, the celery and other tenderthings were frozen. General and Mrs. Bourke have returned, and atonce insisted upon our going to their house, but as there was nothingdefinite about the time when we will get our house, we said "No. " We aretaking our meals with them, however, and Hang is there also, teachingtheir new Chinaman. But I can assure you that I am more than cross. IfMajor Bagley had selected the house the first time he came, or evenif he had said nothing at all about the quarters, much discomfort andunpleasantness would have been avoided. They will get our nice cleanhouse, and we will get one that will require the same renovating we havejust been struggling with. I have made up my mind unalterably to onething--the nice little dinner I had expected to give Major and Mrs. Bagley later on, will be for other people, friends who have had lesshoney to dispose of. 

The splendid hunting was interrupted by the move, too. Every October inthis country we have a snowstorm that lasts usually three or four days;then the snow disappears and there is a second fall, with clear sunnydays until the holidays. This year the weather remained warm and thestorm was later than usual, but more severe when it did come, drivingthousands of water-fowl down with a rush from the mountain streams andlakes. There is a slough around a little plateau near the post, and fora week or more this was teeming with all kinds of ducks, until it wasfrozen over. Sometimes we would see several species quietly feedingtogether in the most friendly way. Faye and I would drive the horsesdown in the cutter, and I would hold them while he walked on aheadhunting. 

One day, when the snow was falling in big moist flakes that were sothick that the world had been narrowed down to a few yards around us, we drove to some tall bushes growing on the bank of the slough. Faye washunting, and about to make some ducks rise when he heard a great whirover his head, and although the snow was so thick he could not see justwhat was there, he quickly raised his gun and fired at something he sawmoving up there. To his great amazement and my horror, an immense swandropped down and went crashing through the bushes. It was quite aswhite as the snow on the ground, and coming from the dense cloud of snowabove, where no warning of its presence had been given, no call sounded, one felt that there was something queer about it all. With its enormouswings spread, it looked like an angel coming to the earth. 

The horses thought so, also, for as soon as it touched the bushes theybolted, and for a few minutes I was doubtful if I could hold them. I wasso vexed with them, too, for I wanted to see that splendid bird. Theywent around and around the plateau, and about all I was able to do atfirst was to keep them from going to the post. They finally came downto a trot, but it was some time before I could coax them to go to thebushes where the swan had fallen. I did not blame them much, for whenthe big bird came down, it seemed as if the very heavens were falling. We supplied our friends with ducks several days, and upon our own dinnertable duck was served ten successive days. And it was just as acceptablethe last day as the first, for almost every time there was a differentvariety, the cinnamon, perhaps, being the most rare. 

Last year Hang was very contrary about the packing down of the eggs forwinter use. I always put them in salt, but he thought they should be putin oats because Mrs. Pierce had packed hers that way. You know he hadbeen Mrs. Pierce's cook two years before he came to me, and for a timehe made me weary telling how she had things done. Finally I told him hemust do as I said, that he was my cook now. There was peace for a while, and then came the eggs. 

He would not do one thing to assist me, not even take down the eggs, andlooked at Volmer with scorn when he carried down the boxes and salt. Isaid nothing, knowing what the result would be later on if Hang remainedwith me. When the cold weather came and no more fresh eggs were broughtin, it was astonishing to see how many things that stubborn Chinamancould make without any eggs at all. Get them out of the salt he simplywould not. Of course that could not continue forever, so one day Ibrought some up and left them on his table without saying a word. Heused them, and after that there was no trouble, and one day in thespring he brought in to show me some beautifully beaten eggs, and said, "Velly glood--allee same flesh. "

This fall when the time came to pack eggs, I said, "Hang, perhaps we hadbetter pack the eggs in oats this year. " He said, "Naw, loats no glood!"Then came my revenge. I said, "Mrs. Pierce puts hers in oats, " but hebecame angry and said, "Yes, me know--Missee Pleese no know--slalt makeehim allee same flesh. " And in salt they are, and Hang packed every one. I offered to show him how to do it, but he said, "Me know--you see. " Itgave him such a fine opportunity to dictate to Volmer! If the strikerdid not bring the eggs the very moment he thought they should be in, Hang would look him up and say, "You bling leggs!" Just where theseboxes of eggs are I do not know. The Chinaman has spirited them off tosome place where they will not freeze. He cannot understand all thisranking out of quarters, particularly after he had put the house inperfect order. When I told him to sweep the rooms after everything hadbeen carried out, he said: "What for? You cleanee house nuff for him;he no care, " and off he went. I am inclined to think that the little manwas right, after all. 

There have been many changes in the garrison during the past few months, and a number of our friends have gone to other posts. Colonel and Mrs. Palmer, Major and Mrs. Pierce, and Doctor and Mrs. Gordon are no longerhere. We have lost, consequently, both of our fine tenors and excellentorganist, and our little choir is not good now. Some of us will miss inother ways Colonel Palmer's cultivated voice. During the summer four ofus found much pleasure in practicing together the light operas, each onelearning the one voice through the entire opera. 

When we get settled, if we ever do, we will be at our old end of thegarrison again, and our neighbors on either side will be charmingpeople. There is some consolation in that; nevertheless, I am thinkingall the time of the pretty walls and shiny floors we had to give up, andto a very poor housekeeper, too. After we get our house, it will takeweeks to fix it up, and it will be impossible to take the same interestin it that we found in the first. If Faye gets his first lieutenancy inthe spring, it is possible that we may have to go to another post, whichwill mean another move. But I am tired and cross; anyone would be undersuch uncomfortable conditions. 

FORT ELLIS, MONTANA TERRITORY, March, 1883. 

THE trip over was by far the most enjoyable of any we have taken betweenFort Shaw and this post, and we were thankful enough that we could comebefore the snow began to melt on the mountains. Our experience with thehigh water two years ago was so dreadful that we do not wish to everencounter anything of the kind again. The weather was delightful--withclear, crisp atmosphere, such as can be found only in this magnificentTerritory. It was such a pleasure to have our own turn-out, too, and tobe able to see the mountains and canons as we came along, without havingour heads bruised by an old ambulance. 

Faye had to wait almost twelve years for a first lieutenancy, and now, when at last he has been promoted, it has been the cause of our leavingdear friends and a charming garrison, and losing dear yellow Hang, also. The poor little man wept when he said good-by to me in Helena. We hadjust arrived and were still on the walk in front of the hotel, and ofcourse all the small boys in the street gathered around us. I felt verymuch like weeping, too, and am afraid I will feel even more so when Iget in my own home. Hang is going right on to China, to visit his motherone year, and I presume that his people will consider him a very richman, with the twelve hundred dollars he has saved. He has never cut hishair, and has never worn American clothes. Even in the winter, whenit has been freezing cold, he would shuffle along on the snow with hisChinese shoes. 

I shall miss the pretty silk coats about the house, and his swift, almost noiseless going around. That Chinamen are not more generallyemployed I cannot understand, for they make such exceptional servants. They are wonderfully economical, and can easily do the work of twomaids, and if once you win their confidence and their affection they areyour slaves. But they are very suspicious. Once, when Bishop Tuttle waswith us, he wanted a pair of boots blackened, and set them in his roomwhere Hang could see them, and on the toe of one he put a twenty-fivecent piece. Hang blackened the boots beautifully, and then put the moneyback precisely where it was in the first place. Then he came to meand expressed his opinion of the dear bishop. He said, "China-man nostealee--you tellee him me no stealee--he see me no takee him"--and thenhe insisted upon my going to see for myself that the money was on theboot. I was awfully distressed. The bishop was to remain with us severaldays, and no one could tell how that Chinaman might treat him, for Isaw that he was deeply hurt, but it was utterly impossible to make himbelieve otherwise than that the quarter had been put there to test hishonesty. I finally concluded to tell the bishop all about it, knowingthat his experience with all kinds of human nature had been great in histravels about to his various missions, and his kindness and tact withminer, ranchman, and cowboy; he is now called by them lovingly "TheCowboy Bishop. " He laughed heartily about Hang, and said, "I'll fixthat, " which he must have done to Hang's entire satisfaction, for hefairly danced around the bishop during the remainder of his stay withus. 

Faye was made post quartermaster and commissary as soon as he reportedfor duty here, and is already hard at work. The post is not large, but the office of quartermaster is no sinecure. An immense amount oftransportation has to be kept in readiness for the field, for whichthe quartermaster alone is held responsible, and this is the base ofsupplies for outfits for all parties--large and small--that go tothe Yellowstone Park, and these are many, now that Livingstone can bereached from the north or the south by the Northern Pacific Railroad. Immense pack trains have to be fitted out for generals, congressmen, even the President himself, during the coming season. These peoplebring nothing whatever with them for camp, but depend entirely upon thequartermaster here to fit them out as luxuriously as possible with tentsand commissaries--even to experienced camp cooks!

The railroad has been laid straight through the post, and it looks verystrange to see the cars running directly back of the company quarters. The long tunnel--it is to be called the Bozeman tunnel--that has beencut through a large mountain is not quite finished, and the cars arestill run up over the mountain upon a track that was laid only fortemporary use. It requires two engines to pull even the passenger trainsup, and when the divide is reached the "pilot" is uncoupled and run downahead, sometimes at terrific speed. One day, since we came, the engineerlost control, and the big black thing seemed almost to drop down thegrade, and the shrieking of the continuous whistle was awful to listento; it seemed as if it was the wailing of the souls of the two men beingrushed on--perhaps to their death. The thing came on and went screamingthrough the post and on through Bozeman, and how much farther we donot know. Some of the enlisted men got a glimpse of the engineer as hepassed and say that his face was like chalk. We will not be settled forsome time, as Faye is to take a set of vacant quarters on the hill untilone of the officers goes on leave, when we will move to that house, asit is nicer and nearer the offices. He could have taken it when we camehad he been willing to turn anyone out. It seems to me that I am waitingfor a house about half the time, yet when anyone wants our house it istaken at once!

For a few days we are with Lieutenant and Mrs. Fiske. They gave us anelegant dinner last evening. Miss Burt and her brother came up fromBozeman. This evening we dine with Major and Mrs. Gillespie of thecavalry. He is in command of the post--and tomorrow we will dine withCaptain and Mrs. Spencer. And so it will go on, probably, until everyonehas entertained us in some delightful manner, as this is the custom inthe Army when there are newcomers in the garrison. I am so sorry thatthese courtesies cannot be returned for a long time--until we get reallysettled, and then how I shall miss Hang! How I am to do without him I donot quite see. 

FORT ELLIS, MONTANA TERRITORY, July, 1884. 

THIS post is in a most dilapidated condition, and it--also the countryabout--looks as though it had been the scene of a fierce bombardment. And bombarded we certainly have been--by a terrific hailstorm that madeus feel for a time that our very lives were in danger. The day had beenexcessively warm, with brilliant sunshine until about three o'clock, when dark clouds were seen to be coming up over the Bozeman Valley, andeveryone said that perhaps at last we would have the rain that was somuch needed, I have been in so many frightful storms that came frominnocent-looking clouds, that now I am suspicious of anything of thekind that looks at all threatening. Consequently, I was about the firstperson to notice the peculiar unbroken gray that had replaced the blackof a few minutes before, and the first, too, to hear the ominous roarthat sounded like the fall of an immense body of water, and which couldbe distinctly heard fifteen minutes before the storm reached us. 

While I stood at the door listening and watching, I saw several peoplewalking about in the garrison, each one intent upon his own business andnot giving the storm a thought. Still, it seemed to me that it would bejust as well to have the house closed tight, and calling Hulda we soonhad windows and doors closed--not one minute too soon, either, for thestorm came across the mountains with hurricane speed and struck us withsuch force that the thick-walled log houses fairly trembled. With thewind came the hail at the very beginning, changing the hot, sultry airinto the coldness of icebergs. Most of the hailstones were the size ofa hen's egg, and crashed through windows and pounded against the house, making a noise that was not only deafening but paralyzing. The sounds ofbreaking glass came from every direction and Hulda and I rushed fromone room to the other, not knowing what to do, for it was the same sceneeveryplace--floors covered with broken glass and hail pouring in throughthe openings. 

The ground upon which the officers' quarters are built is a littlesloping, therefore it had to be cut away, back of the kitchen, to makethe floor level for a large shed where ice chest and such things arekept, and there are two or three steps at the door leading from the shedup to the ground outside. This gradual rise continues far back to themountains, so by the time the hail and water reached us from above theyhad become one broad, sweeping torrent, ever increasing in volume. Inone of the boards of our shed close to the steps, and just above theground, there happened to be a large "knot" which the pressure of thewater soon forced out, and the water and hailstones shot through andstraight across the shed as if from a fire hose, striking the wall ofthe main building! The sight was most laughable--that is, at first itwas; but we soon saw that the awful rush of water that was coming inthrough the broken sash and the remarkable hose arrangement back of thekitchen was rapidly flooding us. 

So I ran to the front door, and seeing a soldier at one of he barrackwindows, I waved and waved my hand until he saw me. He understood atonce and came running over, followed by three more men, who broughtspades and other things. In a short time sods had been banked up atevery door, and then the water ceased to come in. By that time theheaviest of the storm had passed over, and the men, who were mostwilling and kind, began to shovel out the enormous quantity ofhailstones from the shed. They found by actual measurement that theywere eight inches deep--solid hail, and over the entire floor. Muchof the water had run into the kitchen and on through to the butler'spantry, and was fast making its way to the dining room when it was cutoff. The scenes around the little house were awful. More or less waterwas in each room, and there was not one unbroken pane of glass to befound, and that was not all---there was not one unbroken pane of glassin the whole post. That night Faye telegraphed to St. Paul for glass toreplace nine hundred panes that had been broken. 

Faye was at the quartermaster's office when the storm came up, and whileit was still hailing I happened to look across the parade that way, andin the door I saw Faye standing. He had left the house not long before, dressed in a suit of immaculate white linen, and it was that suit thatenabled me to recognize him through the veil of rain and hail. Sorry asI was, I had to laugh, for the picture was so ludicrous--Faye in thosechilling white clothes, broken windows each side of him, and the groundcovered with inches of hailstones and ice water! He ran over soon afterthe men got here, but as he had to come a greater distance his peltingwas in proportion. Many of the stones were so large it was reallydangerous to be hit by them. 

When the storm was over the ground was white, as if covered withsnow, and the high board fences that are around the yards back of theofficers' quarters looked as though they had been used for targets andpeppered with big bullets. Mount Bridger is several miles distant, yetwe can distinctly see from here the furrows that were made down itssides. It looks as if deep ravines had been cut straight down from peakto base. The gardens are wholly ruined--not one thing was left in them. The poor little gophers were forced out of their holes by the water, to be killed by the hail, and hundreds of them are lying around dead. Iwondered and wondered why Dryas did not come to our assistance, but hetold us afterward that when the storm first came he went to the stableto fasten the horses up snug, and was then afraid to come away, firstbecause of the immense hailstones, and later because both horses were soterrified by the crashing in of their windows, and the awful cannonadeof hail on the roof. A new cook had come to us just the day before thestorm, and I fully expected that she would start back to Bozeman thatnight, but she is still here, and was most patient over the awfulcondition of things all over the house. She is a Pole and a good cook, so there is a prospect of some enjoyment in life after the house getsstraightened out. There was one thing peculiar about that storm. Bozemanis only three miles from here, yet not one hailstone, not one drop ofrain did they get there. They saw the moving wall of gray and heard theroar, and feared that something terrible was happening up here. 

The storm has probably ruined the mushrooms that we have found sodelicious lately. At one time, just out of the post, there was a long, log stable for cavalry horses which was removed two or three yearsago, and all around, wherever the decayed logs had been, mushrooms havesprung up. When it rains is the time to get the freshest, and many atime Mrs. Fiske and I have put on long storm coats and gone out in therain for them, each bringing in a large basket heaping full of the mostdelicate buttons. The quantity is no exaggeration whatever--and to bevery exact, I would say that we invariably left about as many as wegathered. Usually we found the buttons massed together under the softdirt, and when we came to an umbrella-shaped mound with little crackson top, we would carefully lift the dirt with a stick and uncover bigclusters of buttons of all sizes. We always broke the large buttons offwith the greatest care and settled the spawn back in the loose dirt fora future harvest. We often found large mushrooms above ground, and thesewere delicious baked with cream sauce. They would be about the size ofan ordinary saucer, but tender and full of rich flavor--and the buttonswould vary in size from a twenty-five-cent piece to a silver dollar, each one of a beautiful shell pink underneath. They were so verysuperior to mushrooms we had eaten before--with a deliciousness alltheir own. 

We are wondering if the storm passed over the Yellowstone Park, wherejust now are many tents and considerable transportation. The partyconsists of the general of the Army, the department commander, membersof their staffs, and two justices of the supreme court. From the parkthey are to go across country to Fort Missoula, and as there is only anarrow trail over the mountains they will have to depend entirely uponpack mules. These were sent up from Fort Custer for Faye to fit out forthe entire trip. I went down to the corral to see them start out, andit was a sight well worth going to see. It was wonderful, and laughable, too, to see what one mule could carry upon his back and two sides. 

The pack saddles are queer looking things that are strapped carefullyand firmly to the mules, and then the tents, sacks, boxes, even stovesare roped to the saddle. One poor mule was carrying a cooking stove. There were forty pack mules and one "bell horse" and ten packers--for ofcourse it requires an expert packer to put the things on the saddle sothey are perfectly balanced and will not injure the animal's back. Thebell horse leads, and wherever it goes the mules will follow. 

At present Faye is busy with preparations for two more parties ofexceedingly distinguished personnel. One of these will arrive in a dayor two, and is called the "Indian Commission, " and consists of senatorDawes and fourteen congressmen. The other party for whom an elaboratecamp outfit is being put in readiness consists of the President ofthe United States, the lieutenant general of the Army, the governor ofMontana, and others of lesser magnitude. A troop of cavalry will escortthe President through the park. Now that the park can be reached byrailroad, all of the generals, congressmen, and judges are seized with adesire to inspect it--in other words, it gives them a fine excuse for anouting at Uncle Sam's expense. 

CAMP ON YELLOWSTONE RIVER, YELLOWSTONE PARK, August, 1884. 

OUR camp is in a beautiful pine grove, just above the Upper Falls andclose to the rapids; from out tent we can look out on the foaming riveras it rushes from one big rock to another. Far from the bank on animmense boulder that is almost surrounded by water is perched my tentcompanion, Miss Hayes. She says the view from there is grand, but howshe can have the nerve to go over the wet, slippery rocks is a mysteryto all of us, for by one little misstep she would be swept over thefalls and to eternity. 

Our party consists of Captain and Mrs. Spencer, their little niece, MissHayes, and myself--oh, yes, Lottie, the colored cook, and six oreight soldiers. We have part of the transportation that Major GeneralSchofield used for this same trip two weeks ago, and which we foundwaiting for us at Mammoth Hot Springs. We also have two saddle horses. By having tents and our own transportation we can remain as long as wewish at any one place, and can go to many out-of-the-way spots that theregular tourist does not even hear of. But I do not intend to wearyyou with long descriptions of the park, the wonderful geysers, or theexquisitely tinted water in many of the springs, but to tell you ofour trip, that has been most enjoyable from the very minute we leftLivingstone. 

We camped one night by the Fire-Hole River, where there is a spring Iwould like to carry home with me! The water is very hot--boils up a footor so all the year round, and is so buoyant that in a porcelain tub ofordinary depth we found it difficult to do otherwise than float, and itssoftening effect upon the skin is delightful. A pipe has been laidfrom the spring to the little hotel, where it is used for all sorts ofhousehold purposes. Just fancy having a stream of water that a furnacesomewhere below has brought to boiling heat, running through yourhouse at any and all times. They told us that during the winter wheneverything is frozen, all kinds of wild animals come to drink at theoverflow of the spring. There are hundreds of hot springs in the park, Ipresume, but that one at Marshall's is remarkable for the purity of itswater. 

Captain Spencer sent to the hotel for fresh meat and was amazed when thesoldier brought back, instead of meat, a list from which he was asked toselect. At that little log hotel of ten or twelve rooms there were sevenkinds of meat--black-tail deer, white-tail deer, bear, grouse, prairiechicken, squirrels, and domestic fowl--the latter still in possessionof their heads. Hunting in the park is prohibited, and the proprietorof that fine game market was most careful to explain to the soldier thateverything had been brought from the other side of the mountain. Thatwas probably true, but nevertheless, just as we were leaving thewoods by "Hell's Half Acre, " and were coming out on a beautiful meadowsurrounded by a thick forest, we saw for one instant a deer standing onthe bank of a little stream at our right, and then it disappeared in theforest. Captain Spencer was on horseback, and happening to look to theleft saw a man skulking to the woods with a rifle in his hand. The poordeer would undoubtedly have been shot if we had been a minute or twolater. 

For two nights our camp was in the pine forest back of "Old Faithful, "and that gave us one whole day and afternoon with the geysers. Ourcolored cook was simply wild over them, and would spend hours lookingdown in the craters of those that were not playing. Those seemed tofascinate her above all things there, and at times she looked like awild African when she returned to camp from one of them. Not far fromthe tents of the enlisted men was a small hot spring that boiled lazilyin a shallow basin. It occurred to one of the men that it would make afine laundry, so he tied a few articles of clothing securely to a stickand swished them up and down in the hot sulphur water and then hungthem up to dry. Another soldier, taking notice of the success of thatwashing, decided to do even better, so he gathered all the underwear, he had with him, except those he had on, and dropped them down in thebasin. He used the stick, but only to push them about with, and alas!did not fasten them to it. They swirled about for a time, and thenall at once every article disappeared, leaving the poor man in dumbamazement. He sat on the edge of the spring until dark, watching andwaiting for his clothes to return to him; but come back they did not. Some of the men watched with him, but most of them teased him cruelly. Such a loss on a trip like this was great. 

When we got to Obsidian Mountain, Miss Hayes and I decided that we wouldlike to go up a little distance and get a few specimens to carry homewith us. Our camp for the night was supposed to be only one mile fartheron, and the enlisted men and two wagons were back of us, so we thoughtwe could safely stay there by ourselves. The so-called mountain isreally only a foothill to a large mountain, but is most interesting fromthe fact that it is covered with pieces of obsidian, mostly smoke-color, and that long ago Indians came there for arrowheads. 

A very narrow road has been cut out of the rocks at the base of themountain, and about four feet above a small stream. It has two verysharp turns, and all around, as far as we could see, it would beexceedingly dangerous, if not impossible, for large wagons to pass. MissHayes and I went on up, gathering and rejecting pieces of obsidian thathad probably been gathered and rejected by hundreds of tourists beforeus, and we were laughing and having a beautiful time when, for somereason, I looked back, and down on the point where the road almostdoubles on itself I saw an old wagon with two horses, and standingby the wagon were two men. They were looking at us, and very soon onebeckoned. I looked all around, thinking that some of their friends mustcertainly be near us, but no one was in sight. By that time one manwas waving his hat to us, and then they actually called, "Come on downhere--come down, it is all right!"

Miss Hayes is quite deaf, and I was obliged to go around rocks beforeI could get near enough to tell her of the wagon below, and the men nothear me. She gave the men and wagon an indifferent glance, and then wenton searching for specimens. I was so vexed I could have shaken her. Shewill scream over a worm or spider, and almost faint at the sight of asnake, but those two men, who were apparently real tramps, she did notmind. The situation was critical, and for just one instant I thoughthard. If we were to go over the small mountain we would probably belost, and might encounter all sorts of wild beasts, and if those menwere really vicious they could easily overtake us. Besides, it wouldnever do to let them suspect that we were afraid. So I decided to godown--and slowly down I went, almost dragging Miss Hayes with me. Shedid not understand my tactics, and I did not stop to explain. 

I went right to the men, taking care to get between them and the roadto camp. I asked them if they were in trouble of any kind, and they said"No. " I could hardly control my voice, but it seemed important that Ishould give them to understand at once who we were. So I said, "Didyou meet our friends in the army ambulance just down the road?" The twolooked at each other and then one said "Yes!" I continued with, "Thereare two very large and heavily loaded army wagons, and a number ofsoldiers coming down the other road that should be here right now. " Theysmiled again, and said something to each other, but I interrupted with, "I do not see how those big wagons and four mules can pass you here, andit seems to me you had better get out of their way, for soldiers can beawfully cross if things are not just to suit them. "

Well, those two men got in the old wagon without saying one word andstarted on, and we watched them until they had disappeared from sightaround a bend, and then I said to Miss Hayes, "Come!" and lifting myskirts, I started on the fastest run I ever made in my life, and I keptit up until I actually staggered. Then I sat upon a rock back of somebushes and waited for Miss Hayes, who appeared after a few minutes. Werested for a short time and then went on and on, and still there wasnothing to be seen of the meadow where the camp was supposed to be. Finally, after we had walked miles, it seemed to us, we saw an openingfar ahead, and the sharp silhouette of a man under the arch of trees, and when we reached the end of the wooded road we found CaptainSpencer waiting for us. He at once started off on a fine inspection-dayreprimand, but I was tired and cross and reminded him that it was he whohad told us that the camp would be only one mile from us, and if wehad not listened to him we would not have stopped at all. Then we alllaughed!

Captain and Mrs. Spencer had become worried, and the ambulance was juststarting back for us when fortunately we appeared. Miss Hayes cannotunderstand yet why I went down to that wagon. The child does not feartramps and desperadoes, simply because she has never encountered them. Whether my move was wise or unwise, I knew that down on the roadwe could run--up among the rocks we could not. Besides, I have thesatisfaction of knowing that once in my life I outgeneraled a man--twomen--and whether they were friends or foes I care not now. I was wearingan officer's white cork helmet at the time, and possibly that helpedmatters a little. But why did they call to us--why beckon for us tocome down? It was my birthday too. That evening Mrs. Spencer made somedelicious punch and brought out the last of the huge fruit cake she madefor the trip. We had bemoaned the fact of its having all been eaten, and all the time she had a piece hidden away for my birthday, as a greatsurprise. 

We have had one very stormy day. It began to rain soon after we brokecamp in the morning, not hard, but in a cold, penetrating drizzle. Captain and Mrs. Spencer were riding that day and continued to rideuntil luncheon, and by that time they were wet to the skin and shakingfrom the cold. We were nearing the falls, the elevation was becominggreater and the air more chilling every minute. We had expected to reachthe Yellowstone River that day, but it was so wet and disagreeable thatCaptain Spencer decided to go into camp at a little spring we came to inthe early afternoon, and which was about four miles from here. The tentswere pitched just above the base of a hill--you would call it a mountainin the East--and in a small grove of trees. The ground was thicklycarpeted with dead leaves, and everything looked most attractive fromthe ambulance. 

When Miss Hayes and I went to our tent, however, to arrange it, wefound that underneath that thick covering of leaves a sheet of waterwas running down the side of the hill, and with every step our feet sankdown almost ankle deep in the wet leaves and water. Each has a littleiron cot, and the two had been set up and the bedding put upon them bythe soldiers, and they looked so inviting we decided to rest a while andget warm also. But much to our disgust we found that our mattresses werewet and all of our blankets more or less wet, too. It was impossible todry one thing in the awful dampness, so we folded the blankets with thedry part on top as well as we could, and then "crawled in. " We hated toget up for dinner, but as we were guests, we felt that we must doso, but for that meal we waited in vain--not one morsel of dinner wasprepared that night, and Miss Hayes and I envied the enlisted men whenwe got sniffs of their boiling coffee. Only a soldier could have founddry wood and a place for making coffee that night. 

When it is at all wet Faye always has our tents "ditched, " that is, thesod turned up on the canvas all around the bottom. So just before darkI asked Captain Spencer if the men could not do that to our tent, and itwas done without delay. It made a great difference in our comfort, forat once the incoming of the water was stopped. We all retired early thatnight, and notwithstanding our hunger, and the wet below and above us, our sleep was sound. In the morning we found several inches of snow onthe ground and the whole country was white. The snow was so moist andclinging, that the small branches of trees were bent down with itsweight, and the effect of the pure white on the brilliant greens wasenchanting. Over all was the glorious sunshine that made the wholegrand scene glisten and sparkle like fairyland. And that day was thetwenty-sixth of August!

It was wretchedly cold, and our heaviest wraps seemed thin and light. Lottie gave us a nice hot breakfast, and after that things looked muchmore cheerful. By noon most of the snow had disappeared, and afteran early luncheon we came on to these dry, piney woods, that claim anelevation of nine thousand feet. The rarefied air affects people sodifferently. Some breathe laboriously and have great difficulty inwalking at all, while to others it is most exhilarating, and gives themstrength to walk great distances. Fortunately, our whole party is of thelatter class. 

Yesterday morning early we all started for a tramp down the canon. Ido not mean that we were in the canon by the river, for that would havebeen impossible, but that we went along the path that runs close to theedge of the high cliff. We carried our luncheon with us, so there was nonecessity for haste, and every now and then we sat upon the thick carpetof pine needles to rest, and also study the marvelous coloring of thecliffs across the river. The walls of the canon are very high and verysteep--in many places perpendicular--and their strata of brilliantcolors are a marvel to everyone. It was a day to be remembered, and noone seemed to mind being a little tired when we returned late in theafternoon. The proprietor of the little log hotel that is only a shortdistance up the river, told Captain Spencer that we had gone down sixgood miles--giving us a tramp altogether, of twelve miles. It seemsincredible, for not one of us could walk one half that distance in lessrarefied air. 

Just below the big falls, and of course very near our camp, is a naturestudy that we find most interesting. An unusually tall pine tree hasgrown up from between the boulders at the edge of the river. The tree isnow dead and its long branches have fallen off, but a few outspreadingshort ones are still left, and right in the center of these a pair ofeagles have built a huge nest, and in that nest, right now, are two deareaglets! The tree is some distance from the top of the cliff, but it isalso lower, otherwise we would not have such a fine view of the nest andthe big babies. They look a little larger than mallard ducks, and arewell feathered. They fill the nest to overflowing, and seem to realizethat if they move about much, one would soon go overboard. The two oldbirds--immense in size--can be seen soaring above the nest at almost anytime, but not once have we seen them come to the nest, although we havewatched with much patience for them to do so. The great wisdom shown bythose birds in the selection of a home is wonderful. It would be utterlyimpossible for man or beast to reach it. 

Another nature study that we have seen in the park, and which, to me, was most wonderful, was a large beaver village. Of course most people ofthe Northwest have seen beaver villages of various sizes, but that onewas different, and should be called a city. There were elevated roadslaid off in squares that run with great precision from one littlehouse to the other. There are dozens and dozens of houses--perhaps ahundred--in the marshy lake, and the amount of intelligence and cunningthe little animals have shown in the construction of their houses andelevated roads is worth studying. They are certainly fine engineers. 

We take the road home from here, but go a much more direct route, whichwill be by ambulance all the way to Fort Ellis, instead of going by thecars from Mammoth Hot Springs. I am awfully glad of this, as it willmake the trip one day longer, and take us over a road that is new tous, although it is the direct route from Ellis to the Park through RockyCanon. 

FORT ELLIS, MONTANA TERRITORY, November, 1884. 

ONLY a few days more, and then we will be off for the East! It is overseven years since we started from Corinne on that long march north, and I never dreamed at that time that I would remain right in thisterritory, until a splendid railroad would be built to us from anotherdirection to take us out of it. Nearly everything is packed. We expectto return here in the spring, but in the Army one never knows whatdestiny may have waiting for them at the War Department. Besides, Iwould not be satisfied to go so far away and leave things scatteredabout. 

The two horses, wagons, and everything of the kind have been disposedof--not because we wanted to sell them, but because Faye was unwillingto leave the horses with irresponsible persons during a long winter inthis climate, when the most thoughtful care is absolutely necessary tokeep animals from suffering. Lieutenant Gallagher of the cavalry boughtthem, and we are passing through our second experience of seeing othersdrive around horses we have petted, and taught to know us apart from allothers. George almost broke my heart the other day. He was standing infront of Lieutenant Gallagher's quarters, that are near ours, when Ihappened to go out on the walk, not knowing the horses were there. Hegave a loud, joyous whinnie, and started to come to me, pulling Pete andthe wagon with him. I ran back to the house, for I could not go to him!He had been my own horse, petted and fed lumps of sugar every day withmy own hands, and I always drove him in single harness, because hisspeed was so much greater than Pete's. 

My almost gownless condition has been a cause of great worry to me, but Pogue has promised to fix up my wardrobe with a rush, and afterthe necessary time for that in Cincinnati, I will hurry on to ColumbusBarracks for my promised visit to Doctor and Mrs. Gordon. Then on home!Faye will go to Cincinnati with me, and from there to the United StatesNaval Home, of which his father is governor at present. I will have togo there, too, before so very long. 

We attended a pretty cotillon in Bozeman last evening and remainedovernight at the hotel. Faye led, and was assisted by Mr. Ladd, ofBozeman. It was quite a large and elaborate affair, and there werepresent "the butcher, the baker, and candlestick maker. " Nevertheless, everything was conducted with the greatest propriety. There are fiveor six very fine families in the small place--people of culture andrefinement from the East--and their influence in the building up of thetown has been wonderful. The first year we were at Fort Ellis one wouldsee every now and then a number, usually four numerals, painted inbright red on the sidewalk. Everyone knew that to have been the workof vigilantes, and was a message to some gambler or horse thief to gethimself out of town or stand the shotgun or rope jury. The first time Isaw those red figures--I knew what they were for--it seemed as if theyhad been made in blood, and step over them I could not. I went out inthe road around them. We have seen none of those things during the pasttwo years, and for the sake of those who have worked so hard for law andorder, we hope the desperado element has passed on. 

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, May, 1885. 

IT is nice to be once more at this dear old post, particularly undersuch very pleasant circumstances. The winter East was enjoyable andrefreshing from first to last, but citizens and army people have solittle in common, and this one feels after being with them a while, nomatter how near and dear the relationship may be. Why, one half of themdo not know the uniform, and could not distinguish an officer of theArmy from a policeman! I love army life here in the West, and I love allthe things that it brings to me--the grand mountains, the plains, andthe fine hunting. The buffalo are no longer seen; every one has beenkilled off, and back of Square Butte in a rolling valley, hundreds ofskeletons are bleaching even now. The valley is about two miles from thepost. 

We are with the commanding officer and his wife, and Hulda is here also. She was in Helena during the winter and came from there with us. I amso glad to have her. She is so competent, and will be such a comfort alittle later on, when there will be much entertaining for us to do. Westopped at Fort Ellis two days to see to the crating of the furnitureand to get all things in readiness to be shipped here, this time bythe cars instead of by wagon, through mud and water. We were guests ofCaptain and Mrs. Spencer, and enjoyed the visit so much. Doctor and Mrs. Lawton gave an informal dinner for us, and that was charming too. 

But the grand event of the stop-over was the champagne supper thatCaptain Martin gave in our honor--that is, in honor of the new adjutantof the regiment. He is the very oldest bachelor and one of the oldestofficers in the regiment--a very jolly Irishman. The supper wasold-fashioned, with many good things to eat, and the champagne frappewas perfect. I do believe that the generous-hearted man had prepared atleast two bottles for each one of us. Every member of the small garrisonwas there, and each officer proposed something pleasant in life forFaye, and often I was included. There was not the least harm done toanyone, however, and not a touch of headache the next day. 

As usual, we are waiting for quarters to avoid turning some one out. Butfor a few days this does not matter much, as our household goods arenot here, except the rugs and things we sent out from Philadelphia. Faye entered upon his new duties at guard mounting this morning, and Iscarcely breathed until the whole thing was over and the guard was onits way to the guardhouse! It was so silly, I knew, to be afraid thatFaye might make a mistake, for he has mounted the guard hundreds oftimes while post adjutant. But here it was different. I knew that fromalmost every window that looked out on the parade ground, eyes friendlyand eyes envious were peering to see how the new regimental adjutantconducted himself, and I knew that there was one pair of eyes green fromenvy and pique, and that the least faux-pas by Faye would be sneered atand made much of by their owner. But Faye made no mistake, of course. Iknew all the time that it was quite impossible for him to do so, as heis one of the very best tacticians in the regiment--still, it is theunexpected that so often happens. 

The band and the magnificent drum major, watching their new commanderwith critical eyes, were quite enough in themselves to disconcert anyman. I never told you what happened to that band once upon a time! Itwas before we came to the regiment, and when headquarters were at FortDodge, Kansas. Colonel Mills, at that time a captain, was in command. It had been customary to send down to the river every winter a detail ofmen from each company to cut ice for their use during the coming year. Colonel Mills ordered the detail down as usual, and also ordered theband down. It seems that Colonel Fitz-James, who had been colonel of theregiment for some time, had babied the bandsmen, one and all, until theyhad quite forgotten the fact of their being enlisted men. 

So over to Colonel Mills went the first sergeant with a protest againstcutting ice, saying that they were musicians and could not be expectedto do such work, that it would chap their lips and ruin their delicatetouch on the instruments. Colonel Mills listened patiently and thensaid, "But you like ice during the summer, don't you?" The sergeantsaid, "Yes, sir, but they could not do such hard work as the cutting ofice. " Colonel Mills said, "You are musicians, you say?" The unsuspicioussergeant, thinking he had gained his point, smilingly said, "Yes, sir!"But there must have been an awful weakness in his knees when ColonelMills said, "Very well, since you are musicians and cannot cut ice, youwill go to the river and play for the other men while they cut itfor you!" The weather was freezing cold, and the playing of brassinstruments in the open air over two feet of solid ice, would have beenpainful and difficult, so it was soon decided that it would be better tocut ice, after all, and in a body the band went down with the other mento the river without further complaint or protest. 

It is a splendid band, and has always been regarded as one of the verybest in the Army, but there are a few things that need changing, whichFaye will attend to as quickly as possible, and at the same time bringcriticism down upon his own head. The old adjutant is still in the post, and--"eyes green" are here!

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, August, 1885. 

MY ride this morning was grand! My new horse is beginning to see thatI am really a friend, and is much less nervous. It is still necessary, however, for Miller, our striker, to make blinders with his hands backof Rollo's eyes so he will not see me jump to the saddle, otherwise Imight not get there. I mount in the yard back of the house, where no onecan see me. The gate is opened first, and that the horse always standsfacing, for the instant he feels my weight upon his back there is alittle flinch, then a dash down the yard, a jump over the acequia, thenout through the gate to the plain beyond, where he quiets down and I fixmy stirrup. 

There is not a bit of viciousness about this, as the horse is gentle andmost affectionate at all times, but he has been terribly frightened bya saddle, and it is distressing to see him tremble and his very fleshquiver when one is put upon his back, no matter how gently. He had beenridden only three or four times when we bought him, and probably by a"bronco breaker, " who slung on his back a heavy Mexican saddle, cinched it tight without mercy, then mounted with a slam over of aleather-trousered leg, let the almost crazy horse go like the wind, andif he slackened his speed, spurs or "quirt, " perhaps both, drove him onagain. I know only too well how the so-called breaking is done, forI have seen it many times, and the whole performance is cruel anddisgraceful. There are wicked horses, of course, but there are morewicked men, and many a fine, spirited animal is ruined, made an "outlaw"that no man can ride, just by the fiendish way in which they are firstridden. But the more crazy the poor beast is made, the more fun andglory for the breaker. 

Rollo is a light sorrel and a natural pacer; he cannot trot one step, and for that reason I did not want him, but Faye said that I had bettertry him, so he was sent up. The fact of his being an unbroken colt, Fayeseemed to consider a matter of no consequence, but I soon found that itwas of much consequence to me, inasmuch as I was obliged to acquire amore precise balance in the saddle because of his coltish ways, and atthe same time make myself--also the horse--perfectly acquainted with thedelicate give and take of bit and bridle, for with a pacer the slightesttightening or slackening at the wrong time will make him break. WhenRollo goes his very fastest, which is about 2:50, I never use a stirrupand never think of a thing but his mouth! There is so little motion tohis body I could almost fancy that he had no legs at all--that we arebeing rushed through the air by some unseen force. It is fine!

Faye has reorganized the band, and the instrumentation is entirely new. It was sent to him by Sousa, director of the Marine Band, who has beenmost kind and interested. The new instruments are here, so are the twonew sets of uniform--one for full dress, the other for concerts andgeneral wear. Both have white trimmings to correspond with the regiment, which are so much nicer than the old red facings that made the band lookas if it had been borrowed from the artillery. All this has been thesource of much comment along the officers' quarters and in the barracksacross the parade ground, and has caused several skirmishes between Fayeand the band. It was about talked out, however, when I came in for myshare of criticism!

The post commander and Faye came over from the office one morning andsaid it was their wish that I should take entire charge of the musicfor services in church, that I could have an orchestra of soft-tonedinstruments, and enlisted men to sing, but that all was to be under myguidance. I must select the music, be present at all practicings, andgive my advice in any way needed. At first I thought it simply a veryunpleasant joke, but when it finally dawned upon me that those two menwere really in earnest, I was positive they must be crazy, and that Itold them. The whole proposition seemed so preposterous, so ridiculous, so everything! I shall always believe that Bishop Brewer suggestedchurch music by the soldiers. Faye is adjutant and in command of theband, so I was really the proper person to take charge of the churchmusicians if anybody did, but the undertaking was simply appalling. Butthe commanding officer insisted and Faye insisted, and both gave manyreasons for doing so. The enemy was too strong, and I was forced to givein, the principal reason being, however, that I did not want some oneelse to take charge!

In a short time the little choir was organized and some of the verybest musicians in the band were selected for the orchestra. We havetwo violins (first and second), one clarinet, violoncello, oboe, andbassoon, the latter instrument giving the deep organ tones. There havebeen three services, and at one Sergeant Graves played an exquisite soloon the violin, "There is a green hill far away, " from the oratorio ofSt. Paul. At another, Matijicek played Gounod's "Ave Maria" on the oboe, and last Sunday he gave us, on the clarinet, "Every valley shall beexalted. " The choir proper consists of three sergeants and one corporal, and our tenor is his magnificence, the drum major!

Service is held in a long, large hall, at the rear end of which is asmaller room that can be made a part of the hall by folding back largedoors. We were just inside this small room and the doors were openedwide. On a long bench sat the four singers, two each side of a veryunhappy woman, and back of the bench in a half circle were the sixmusicians. Those musicians depended entirely upon me to indicate to themwhen to play and the vocalists when to sing, therefore certain signalshad been arranged so that there would be no mistake or confusion. ThereI sat, on a hot summer morning, almost surrounded by expert musicianswho were conscious of my every movement, and then, those men weresoldiers accustomed to military precision, and the fear of making amistake and leading them wrong was agonizing. At the farther end ofthe hall the Rev. Mr. Clark was standing, reading along in an easy, self-assured way that was positively irritating. And again, there wasthe congregation, each one on the alert, ready to criticise, probablycondemn, the unheard-of innovation! Every man, woman, and child was atchurch that morning, too--many from curiosity, I expect--and every timewe sang one half of them turned around and stared at us. 

During the reading of the service I could not change my position, turnmy head, or brush the flies that got upon my face, without those sixhands back of me pouncing down for their instruments. It was impossibleto sing the chants, as the string instruments could not hold the tones, so anthems were used instead--mostly Millard's--and they were verybeautiful. Not one mistake has ever been made by anyone, but SergeantMoore has vexed me much. He is our soprano, and has a clear, high-tenorvoice and often sings solos in public, but for some unexplainable reasonhe would not sing a note in church unless I sang with him, so I had tohum along for the man's ear alone. Why he has been so frightened' I donot know, unless it was the unusual condition of things, which have beenquite enough to scare anyone. 

Well, I lived through the three services, and suppose I can live throughmore. The men are not compelled to do this church work, although notone would think of refusing. There is much rehearsing to be done, andSergeant Graves has to transpose the hymns and write out the notes foreach instrument, and this requires much work. To show my appreciation oftheir obedience to my slightest request, a large cake and dozens of eggshave been sent to them after each service. It is funny how nice thingsto eat often make it easy for a man to do things that otherwise would beimpossible!

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, July, 1886. 

MY trip to Helena was made alone, after all! The evening before Istarted Mrs. Todd told me that she could not go, frankly admitting thatshe was afraid to go over the lonesome places on the road with only thedriver for a protector. It was important that I should see a dentist, and Mrs. Averill was depending upon me to bring her friend down fromHelena who was expected from the East, so I decided to go alone. Thequartermaster gave me the privilege of choosing my driver, and I askedfor a civilian, a rather old man who is disliked by everyone becauseof his surly, disagreeable manner. Just why I chose him I cannot tell, except that he is a good driver and I felt that he could be trusted. Themorning we started Faye said to him, "Driver, you must take good care ofMrs. Rae, for she asked for you to drive on this trip, " which must havehad its effect--that, and the nice lunch I had prepared for him--for hewas kind and thoughtful at all times. 

It takes two days to go to Helena from here, a ride of forty-five milesone day and forty the second; and on each long drive there are stretchesof miles and miles over mountains and through canons where one is farfrom a ranch or human being, and one naturally thinks of robbers andother unpleasant things. At such places I rode on top with the driver, where I could at least see what was going on around us. 

Just before we crossed the Bird-Tail divide we came to a wonderfulsight, "a sight worth seeing, " the driver said; and more to gratify himthan because I wanted to, we stopped. An enormous corral had been put uptemporarily, and in it were thousands of sheep, so closely packed thatthose in the center were constantly jumping over the others, trying tofind a cooler place. In the winter, when the weather is very cold, sheepwill always jump from the outer circle of the band to the center, whereit is warm; they always huddle together in cold weather, and herdersare frequently compelled to remain right with them, nights at a time, working hard every minute separating them so they will not smother. Oneof the men, owner of the sheep, I presume, met us and said he wouldshow me where to go so I could see everything that was being done, whichproved to be directly back of a man who was shearing sheep. They toldme that he was the very fastest and most expert shearer in the wholeterritory. Anyone could see that he was an expert, for three men werekept busy waiting upon him. At one corner of the corral was a small, funnel-shaped "drive, " the outer opening of which was just large enoughto squeeze a sheep through, and in the drive stood a man, sheep in hand, ever ready to rush it straight to the hands of the shearer the instanthe was ready for it. 

The shearer, who was quite a young man, sat upon a box close to thedrive, and when he received a sheep it was always the same way--betweenhis knees--and he commenced and finished the shearing of each animalexactly the same way, every clip of the large shears counting to thebest advantage. They told me that he gained much time by the unvaryingprecision that left no ragged strips to be trimmed off. The docility ofthose wild sheep was astonishing. Almost while the last clip wasbeing made the sheep was seized by a second assistant standing at theshearer's left, who at once threw the poor thing down on its side, wherehe quickly painted the brand of that particular ranch, after which itwas given its freedom. It was most laughable to see the change in thesheep--most of them looking lean and lanky, whereas in less than oneshort minute before, their sides had been broad and woolly. A third manto wait upon the shearer was kept busy at his right carefully gatheringthe wool and stuffing it in huge sacks. Every effort was made to keep itclean, and every tiny bit was saved. 

About four o'clock we reached Rock Creek, where we remained overnight ata little inn. The house is built of logs, and the architecture is aboutas queer as its owner. Mrs. Gates, wife of the proprietor, can be, andusually is, very cross and disagreeable, and I rather dreaded stoppingthere alone. But she met me pleasantly--that is, she did not snap myhead off--so I gathered courage to ask for a room that would be nearsome one, as I was timid at night. That settled my standing in heropinion, and with a "Humph!" she led the way across a hall and througha large room where there were several beds, and opening a door on thefarther side that led to still another room, she told me I could havethat, adding that I "needn't be scared to death, as the boys will sleepright there. " I asked her how old the boys were, and she snapped, "Howold! why they's men folks, " and out of the room she went. Upon lookingaround I saw that my one door opened into the next room, and that assoon as the "boys" occupied it I would be virtually a prisoner. To besure, the windows were not far from the ground, and I could easily jumpout, but to jump in again would require longer arms and legs than Ipossessed. But just then I felt that I would much prefer to encounterrobbers, mountain lions, any gentle creatures of that kind, to askingMrs. Gates for another room. 

When I went out to supper that night I was given a seat at one end ofa long table where were already sitting nine men, including my owncivilian driver, who, fortunately, was near the end farthest from me. No one paid the slightest attention to me, each man attending to hisown hungry self and trying to outdo the others in talking. Finally theycommenced telling marvelous tales about horses that they had ridden andsubdued, and I said to myself that I had been told all about sheep thatday, and there it was about horses, and I wondered how far I would haveto go to hear all sorts of things about cattle! But anything abouta horse is always of interest to me, and those men were particularlyentertaining, as it was evident that most of them were professionaltrainers. 

There was sitting at the farther end of the table a rather young-lookingman, who had been less talkative than the others, but who after a whilesaid something about a horse at the fort. The mentioning of the postwas startling, and I listened to hear what further he had to say. Andhe continued, "Yes, you fellers can say what yer dern please about yerbroncos, but that little horse can corral any dern piece of horsefleshyer can show up. A lady rides him, and I guess I'd put her up with thehorse. The boys over there say that she broke the horse herself, and Isay! you fellers orter see her make him go--and he likes it, too. "

By the time the man stopped talking, my excitement was great, for I waspositive that he had been speaking of Rollo, although no mention hadbeen made of the horse's color or gait. So I asked what gait the horsehad. He and two or three of the other men looked at me with pity intheir eyes--actual pity--that plainly said, "Poor thing--what can youknow about gaits"; but he answered civilly, "Well, lady, he is what wecall a square pacer, " and having done his duty he turned again to hisfriends, as though they only could understand him, and said, "No cowswing about that horse. He is a light sorrel and has the very handsomestmane yer ever did see--it waves, too, and I guess the lady curls it--butdon't know for sure. "

The situation was most unusual and in some ways most embarrassing, also. Those nine men were rough and unkempt, but they were splendidhorsemen--that I knew intuitively--and to have one of their numberselect my very own horse above all others to speak of with unstintedpraise, was something to be proud of, but to have my own self calmly andcomplacently disposed of with the horse--"put up, " in fact--was quiteanother thing. But not the slightest disrespect had been intended, andto leave the table without making myself known was not to be thought of. I wanted the pleasure, too, of telling those men that I knew the gaitof a pacer very well--that not in the least did I deserve their pity. Myface was burning and my voice unnatural when I threw the bomb!

I said, "The horse you are speaking of I know very well. He is mine, andI ride him, and I thank you very much for the nice things you havejust said about him!" Well, there was a sudden change of scene at thattable--a dropping of knives and forks and various other things, and Ibecame conscious of eyes--thousands of eyes--staring straight at me, asI watched my bronco friend at the end of the table. The man hadopened his eyes wide, and almost gasped "Gee-rew-s'lum!"--then utterlycollapsed. He sat back in his chair gazing at me in a helpless, bewildered way that was disconcerting, so I told him a number of thingsabout Rollo--how Faye had taken him to Helena during race week andLafferty, a professional jockey of Bozeman, had tested his speed, andhad passed a 2:30 trotter with him one morning. The men knew Lafferty, of course. There was a queer coincidence connected with him and Rollo. The horse that he was driving at the races was a pacer named Rolla, while my horse, also a pacer, was named Rollo. 

All talk about horses ceased at once, and the men said very little toeach other during the remainder of the time we were at the table. It wasalmost pathetic, and an attention I very much appreciated, to see howbread, pickles, cold meat, and in fact everything else on that roughtable, were quietly pushed to me, one after the other, without one wordbeing said. That was their way of showing their approval of me. It wasunpolished, but truly sincere. 

I was not at all afraid that night, for I suspected that the horsemen atthe supper-table were the "boys" referred to by Mrs. Gates. But it wasimpossible to sleep. The partition between the two rooms must have beenvery thin, for the noises that came through were awful. It seemed asthough dozens of men were snoring at the same time, and that some ofthem were dangerously "croupy, " for they choked and gulped, and everynow and then one would have nightmare and groan and yell until some onewould tell him to "shut up, " or perhaps say something funny about himto the others. No matter how many times those men were wakened they werealways cheerful and good-natured about it. A statement that I cannottruthfully make about myself on the same subject!

It was not necessary for me to leave my room through the window the nextmorning, although my breakfast was early. The house seemed deserted, and I had the long table all to myself. At six o'clock we started onour ride to Helena. I sat with the driver going through the longPrickly-Pear canon, and had a fine opportunity of seeing its magnificentgrandeur, while the early shadows were still long. The sun was on manyof the higher boulders, that made them sparkle and show brilliantly intheir high lights and shadows. The trees and bushes looked unusuallyfresh and green. We hear that a railroad will soon be built through thatcanon--but we hope not. It would be positively wicked to ruin anythingso grand. 

We reached Helena before luncheon, and I soon found Miss Duncan, who wasexpecting me. We did not start back until the second day, so she andI visited all the shops and then drove out to Sulphur Spring. The wayeverybody and everything have grown and spread out since the NorthernPacific Railroad has been running cars through Helena is most amazing. It was so recently a mining town, just "Last Chance Gulch, " whereChinamen were digging up the streets for gold, almost undermining thefew little buildings, and Chinamen also were raising deliciouscelery, where now stand very handsome houses. Now Main street has manypretentious shops, and pretty residences have been put up almost to thebase of Mount Helena. 

The ride back was uneventful, greatly to Miss Duncan's disappointment. It is her first visit to the West, and she wants to see cowboys and allsorts of things. I should have said "wanted to see, " for I think thatalready her interest in brass buttons is so great the cowboys willnever be thought of again. There were two at Rock Creek, but they wereuninteresting--did not wear "chaps, " pistols, or even big spurs. At theBird-Tail not one sheep was to be seen--every one had been sheared, andthe big band driven back to its range. Miss Duncan is a pretty girl, andunaffected, and will have a delightful visit at this Western army post, where young girls from the East do not come every day. And then we haveseveral charming young bachelors!

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, December, 1887. 

THE excitement is about over. Our guests have returned to their homes, and now we are settling down to our everyday garrison life. The weddingwas very beautiful and as perfect in every detail as adoring father andmother and loving friends could make it. It was so strictly a militarywedding, too--at a frontier post where everything is of necessity "armyblue"--the bride a child of the regiment, her father an officer in theregiment many years, and the groom a recent graduate from West Point, a lieutenant in the regiment. We see all sorts of so-called militaryweddings in the East--some very magnificent church affairs, others atprivate houses, and informal, but there are ever lacking the realarmy surroundings that made so perfect the little wedding of Wednesdayevening. 

The hall was beautifully draped with the greatest number of flags of allsizes--each one a "regulation, " however--and the altar and chancel railwere thickly covered with ropes and sprays of fragrant Western cedarsand many flowers, and from either side of the reredos hung from theirstaffs the beautifully embroidered silken colors of the regiment. At therear end of the hall stood two companies of enlisted men--one on eachside of the aisle--in shining full-dress uniforms, helmets in hand. Thebride's father is captain of one of those companies, and the groom alieutenant in the other. As one entered the hall, after passing numerousorderlies, each one in full-dress uniform, of course, and walked upbetween the two companies, every man standing like a statue, one becameimpressed by the rare beauty and military completeness of the wholescene. 

The bride is petite and very young, and looked almost a child as she andher father slowly passed us, her gown of heavy ivory satin trailingfar back of her. The orchestra played several numbers previous to theceremony--the Mendelssohn March for processional, and Lohengrin forrecessional, but the really exquisite music was during the ceremony, when there came to us softly, as if floating from afar over gold laceand perfumed silks and satins, the enchanting strains of Moszkowski'sSerenade! Faye remained with the orchestra all the time, to see thatthe music was changed at just the right instant and without mistake. Thepretty reception was in the quarters of Major and Mrs. Stokes, and therealso was the delicious supper served. Some of the presents were elegant. A case containing sixty handsome small pieces of silver was given by theofficers of the regiment. A superb silver pitcher by the men of MajorStokes's company, and an exquisite silver after-dinner coffee set by thecompany in which the groom is a lieutenant. Several young officers camedown from Fort Assiniboine to assist as ushers, and there were at thepost four girls from Helena. An army post is always an attractive placeto girls, but it was apparent from the first that these girls came foran extra fine time. I think they found it!

They were all at our cotillon Monday evening, and kept things movingfast. It was refreshing to have a new element, and a little varietyin partners. We have danced with each other so much that everyone hasbecome more or less like a machine. Faye led, dancing with Miss Stokes, for whom the german was given. The figures were very pretty--some ofthem new--and the supper was good. To serve refreshments of any kindat the hall means much work, for everything has to be prepared at thehouse--even coffee, must be sent over hot; and every piece of china andsilver needed must be sent over also. Mrs. Hughes came from Helena onSaturday and remained with me until yesterday. 

You know something of the awful times I have had with servants sinceHulda went away! First came the lady tourist--who did us the honor toconsent to our paying her expenses from St. Paul, and who informed meupon her arrival that she was not obliged to work out--no indeed--thather own home was much nicer than our house--that she had come up to seethe country, and so forth. We found her presence too great a burden, particularly as she could not prepare the simplest meal, and so invitedher to return to her elegant home. Then came the two women--the motherto Mrs. Todd, the daughter to me--who were insulted because theywere expected to occupy servant's rooms, and could not "eat with thefamily"--so Mrs. Todd and I gave them cordial invitations to depart. Then came my Russian treasure--a splendid cook, but who could not betaught that a breakfast or dinner an hour late mattered to a regimentaladjutant, and wondered why guard mounting could not be held back whileshe prepared an early breakfast for Faye. After a struggle of two monthsshe was passed on. A tall, angular woman with dull red hair drawn uptight and twisted in a knot as hard as her head, was my next trial. Shewas the wife of a gambler of the lowest type, but that I did not knowwhile she was here. 

One day I told her to do something that she objected to, and with herhands clinched tight she came up close as if to strike me. I stoodstill, of course, and quietly said, "You mustn't strike me. " She lookedlike a fury and screamed, "I will if I want to!" She was inchestaller than I, but I said, "If you do, I will have you locked in theguardhouse. " She became very white, and fairly hissed at me, "You can'tdo that--I ain't a soldier. " I told her, "No, if you were a soldier youwould soon be taught to behave yourself, " and I continued, "you are inan army post, however, and if you do me violence I will certainly callthe guard. " Before I turned to go from the room I looked up at herand said, "Now I expect you to do what I have told you to do. " I fullyexpected a strike on my head before I got very far, but she controlledherself. I went out of the house hoping she would do the same and neverreturn, but she was there still, and we had to tell her to go, afterall. I must confess, though, that the work she had objected to doing shedid nicely while I was out. Miller told me that she had three pistolsand two large watches in her satchel when she went away. 

Then came a real treasure--Scotch Ellen--who has been with us sixmonths, and has been very satisfactory every way. To be sure she has hadawful headaches, and often it has been necessary for some one to do herwork. She and the sergeant's wife prepared the supper for the german, and everything was sent to the hall in a most satisfactory way--much tomy delight. Nothing wrong was noticed the next morning either, until shecarried chocolate to Mrs. Hughes, when I saw with mortification that shelooked untidy, but thinking of the confusion in her part of the house, Isaid nothing about it. 

Our breakfast hour is twelve o'clock, and about eleven Mrs. Hughes andI went out for a little walk. In a short time Faye joined us, and justbefore twelve I came in to see if everything was in its proper place onthe table. As I went down the hall I saw a sight in the dining room thatsent shivers down my back. On the table were one or two doilies, andone or two of various other things, and at one side stood the Scotchtreasure with a plate in one hand upon which were a few butter balls, and in the other she held a butter pick. The doors leading throughpantry into the kitchen were open and all along the floor I could seehere and there a little golden ball that had evidently rolled offthe plate. I could also see the range--that looked black and cold andwithout one spark of fire!

Going to the side of the table opposite Ellen I said, "Ellen, what isthe matter with you?"--and looking at me with dull, heavy eyes, shesaid, "And what is the matter wit' you?" Then I saw that she was drunk, horribly drunk, and told her so, but she could only say, "I'm drunk, am I?" I ran outside for Faye, but he and Mrs. Hughes had walked to thefarther end of the officers' line, and I was compelled to go all thatdistance before I could overtake them and tell of my woes. I wanted thewoman out of the house as quickly as possible, so that Miller--who is avery good cook--and I could prepare some sort of a breakfast. Faye wentto the house with his longest strides and told the woman to go at once, and I saw no more of her. Mrs. Hughes was most lovely about the wholeaffair--said that not long ago she had tried a different cook each weekfor six in succession. That was comforting, but did not go far towardproviding a breakfast for us. Miller proved to be a genuine treasure, however, and the sergeant's wife--who is ever "a friend indeed"--came toour assistance so soon we scarcely missed the Scotch creature. Still, itwas most exasperating to have such an unnecessary upheaval, just atthe very time we had a guest in the house--a dainty, fastidious littlewoman, too--and wanted things to move along smoothly. I wonder of whatnationality the next trial will be! If one gets a good maid out here thechances are that she will soon marry a soldier or quarrel with one, aswas the Case with Hulda. For some unaccountable reason a Chinese laundryat Sun River has been the cause of all the Chinamen leaving the post. 

Now I must tell of something funny that happened to me. 

The morning before Mrs. Hughes arrived I went out for a little ride, andabout two miles up the river I left the road to follow a narrow trailthat leads to a bluff called Crown Butte. I had to go through a largefield of wild rosebushes, then across an alkali bed, and then throughmore bushes. I had passed the first bushes and was more than half wayacross the alkali, Rollo's feet sinking down in the sticky mud at everystep, when there appeared from the bushes in front of me, and right inthe path, two immense gray wolves. If they had studied to surprise me inthe worst place possible they could not have succeeded better. Rollo sawthem, of course, and stopped instantly, giving deep sighs, preparingto snort, I knew. To give myself courage I talked to the horse, slowlyturning him around, so as to not excite him, or let the timber wolvessee that I was running from them. 

But the horse I could not deceive, for as soon as his back was towardthem, head and tail went up, and there was snort after snort. He couldnot run, as we were still in the alkali lick. I looked back and saw thatthe big gray beasts were slowly moving toward us, and I recognized thefact that the mud would not stop them, if they chose to cross it. Oncefree of the awful stickiness, I knew that we would be out of danger, asthe swiftest wolf could never overtake the horse--but it seemed as if itwere miles across that white mud. But at last we got up on solid ground, and were starting off at Rollo's best pace, when from out of the bushesin front of us, there came a third wolf! The horse stopped so suddenlyit is a wonder I was not pitched over his head, but I did not think ofthat at the time. 

The poor horse was terribly frightened, and I could feel him tremble, which made me all the more afraid. The situation was not pleasant, andwithout stopping to think, I said, "Rollo, we must run him down--now doyour best!" and taking a firm hold of the bridle, and bracing myselfin the saddle, I struck the horse hard with my whip and gave an awfulscream. I never use a whip on him, so the sting on his side and yell inhis ears frightened him more than the wolf had, and he started on againwith a rush. But the wolf stood still--so did my heart--for the beastlooked savage. When it seemed as though we were actually upon him Istruck the horse again and gave scream after scream as fast as my lungswould allow me. The big gray thing must have thought something evil wascoming, for he sprang back, and then jumped over in the bushes and didnot show himself again. Rollo came home at an awful pace; but I lookedback once and saw, standing in the road near the bushes, five timberwolves, evidently watching us. Just where the other two had been I willnever know, of course. 

We have ridden and driven up that road many, many times, and I haveoften ridden through those rosebushes, but have never seen wolves orcoyotes. Down in the lowland on the other side of the post we frequentlysee a coyote that will greet us with the most unearthly howls, and willsometimes follow carriages, howling all the time. But everyone looksupon him as a pet. Those big, gray timber wolves are quite anotheranimal, fierce and savage. Some one asked me why I screamed, but I couldnot tell why. Perhaps it was to urge the horse--perhaps to frighten thewolf--perhaps to relieve the strain on my nerves. Possibly it was justbecause I was frightened and could not help it!

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, May, 1888. 

SUCH upheaval orders have been coming to the post the past few days, some of us wonder if there has not been an earthquake, and can only sitaround and wait in a numb sort of way for whatever may come next. 

General Bourke, who has been colonel of the regiment, you know, has beenappointed a brigadier general and is to command the Department of thePlatte, with headquarters at Omaha, Nebraska. This might have affectedFaye under any circumstances, as a new colonel has the privilege ofselecting his own staff officers, but General Bourke, as soon as hereceived the telegram telling of his appointment, told Faye that heshould ask for him as aide-de-camp. This will take us to Omaha, also, and I am almost heartbroken over it, as it will be a wretched life forme--cooped up in a noisy city! At the same time I am delighted that Fayewill have for four years the fine staff position. These appointments arecomplimentary, and considered most desirable. 

The real stir-up, however, came with orders for the regiment to go toFort Snelling, Minnesota, for that affects about everyone here. ColonelMunson, who relieves General Bourke as colonel of the regiment, is inSt. Paul, and is well known as inspector general of this department, which perhaps is not the most flattering introduction he could havehad to his new regiment. He telegraphed, as soon as promoted, that hedesired Faye to continue as adjutant, but of course to be on the staffof a general is far in advance of being on the staff of a colonel. Thecolonel commands only his own regiment--sometimes not all of that, aswhen companies are stationed at other posts than headquarters--whereasa brigadier general has command of a department consisting of many armyposts and many regiments. 

The one thing that distresses me most of all is, that I have to partfrom my horse! This is what makes me so rebellious, for aside from myown personal loss, I have great sorrow for the poor dumb animal thatwill suffer so much with strangers who will not understand him. Noone has ridden or driven him for two years but myself, and he has beentractable and lovable always. During very cold weather, when perhaps hewould be too frisky, I have allowed him to play in the yard back of thehouse, until all superfluous spirits had been kicked and snorted off, after which I could have a ride in peace and safety. Faye thinks thathe is entirely too nervous ever to take kindly to city sights andsounds--that the fretting and the heat might kill him. 

So it has been decided that once again we will sell everything--bothhorses and all things pertaining to them, reserving our saddles only. Every piece of furniture will be sold, also, as we do not purpose tokeep house at all while in Omaha. How I envy our friends who will goto Fort Snelling! We have always been told that it is such a beautifulpost, and the people of St. Paul and Minneapolis are most charming. It seems so funny that the regiment should be sent to Snelling just asColonel Munson was promoted to it. He will have to move six miles only!

We know that when we leave Fort Shaw we will go from the old army lifeof the West--that if we ever come back, it will be to unfamiliar scenesand a new condition of things. We have seen the passing of the buffaloand other game, and the Indian seems to be passing also. But I mustconfess that I have no regret for the Indians--there are still too manyof them!

FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY, May, 1888. 

THERE can be only two more days at this dear old post, where we havebeen so happy, and I want those to pass as quickly as possible, and havesome of the misery over. Our house is perfectly forlorn, with just a fewabsolute necessaries in it for our use while here. Everything has beensold or given away, and all that is left to us are our trunks and armychests. Some fine china and a few pieces of cut glass I kept, and eventhose are packed in small boxes and in the chests. 

The general selling-out business has been funny. No one in the regimentpossessed many things that they cared to move East with them, and as wedid not desire to turn our houses into second-hand shops, where peoplecould handle and make remarks about things we had treasured, it wasdecided that everything to be sold should be moved to the largehall, where enlisted men could attend to the shop business. Our onlypurchasers were people from Sun River Crossing, and a few ranchesthat are some distance from the post, and it was soon discovered thatanything at all nice was passed by them, so we became sharp--bunchingthe worthless with the good--and that worked beautifully and things soldfast. 

These moves are of the greatest importance to army officers, and manytimes the change of station is a mere nothing in comparison to therefitting of a house, something that is never taken into considerationwhen the pay of the Army is under discussion. The regiment has been onthe frontier ten years, and everything that we had that was at all nicehad been sent up from St. Paul at great expense, or purchased in Helenaat an exorbitant price. All those things have been disposed of foralmost nothing, and when the regiment reaches Fort Snelling, wherelarger quarters have to be furnished for an almost city life, theofficers will be at great expense. Why I am bothering about SnellingI fail to see, as we are not going there, and I certainly have enoughtroubles of my Own to think about. 

This very morning, Mrs. Ames, of Sun River Crossing, who now owns dearRollo, came up to ask me to show her how to drive him! Just think ofthat! She talked as though she had been deceived--that it was my dutyto show her the trick by which I had managed to control the horse, and, naturally, it would be a delightful pleasure to me to be allowed todrive him once more, and so on. Mrs. Ames said that yesterday shestarted out with him, intending to come to the post to let me seehim--fancy the delicate feeling expressed in that--but the horse went sofast she became frightened, for it seemed as though the telegraph poleswere only a foot apart. She finally got the horse turned around anddrove back home, when her husband got in and undertook to drive him, butwith no better success; but he, too, started the horse toward his oldhome. 

Mr. Ames then told her to have Rollo put back in the stable until shecould get me to show her how to drive him. I almost cried out from purepity for the poor dumb beast that I knew was suffering so in his longingfor his old home and friends who understood him. But for the horse'ssake I tried not to break down. I told her that first of all she mustteach the horse to love her. That was an awfully hard thing to say, Iassure you, and I doubt if the woman understood my meaning after all. When I told her not to pull on his mouth she looked amazed, and said, "Why, he would run away with me if I didn't!" But I assured her that hewould not--that he had been taught differently--that he was very nervousand spirited--that the harder she pulled the more excited he wouldbecome--that I had simply held him steady, no more. I saw that Mrs. Amesdid not believe one word that I had said, but I tried to convince her, for the sake of the unhappy animal that had been placed at her mercy. 

I have often met and passed her out on the road, and the horse shedrives is a large, handsome animal, and we had supposed that she was agood whip; so, when Mr. Ames appeared the other day and said his wifehad asked him to come up and buy the sorrel horse for her we weredelighted that such a good home had been found for him--and for Fannietoo. Mr. Ames bought the entire outfit. Fannie is beautiful, but whollylacking in affection, and can take care of herself any place. 

All sorts of people have been here for the horses--some wanted both, others only one--but Faye would not let them go to any of them, as hewas afraid they would not have the best of care. Rollo had been goneonly an hour or so when a young man--a typical bronco breaker--came tobuy him, and seemed really distressed because he had been sold. He saidthat he had broken him when a colt at Mr. Vaughn's. It so happened thatFaye was at the adjutant's office, and the man asked for me. I was veryglad, for I had always wanted to meet the person who had slammedthe saddle first on Rollo's back. I told him that it was generallyconsidered at the post that I had broken the horse! I said that he hadbeen made cruelly afraid of a saddle, and for a long time after wehad bought him, he objected to it and to being mounted, and I did notconsider a horse broken that would do those things. I said also, that the horse had not been gaited. He interrupted with, "Why, he'sa pacer"--just as though that settled everything; but I told him thatRollo had three perfectly trained grades of speed, each one of which Ihad taught him. 

The young man's face became very red and he looked angry, but I had abeautiful time. It was such a relief to express my opinion to the manjust at that time, too, when I was grieving so for the horse. I saw atonce that he was a bronco breaker from his style of dress. He had onboots of very fine leather with enormously high heels, and strappedto them were large, sharp-pointed Mexican spurs. His trousers were ofleather and very broad at the bottom, and all down the front and outsidewas some kind of gray fur--"chaps" this article of dress is called--andin one hand he held a closely plaited, stinging black "quirt. " He wore aplaid shirt and cotton handkerchief around his neck. That describes theman who rode Rollo first--and no wonder the spirited, high-strung coltwas suspicious of saddles, men, and things. I watched the man as he rodeaway. His horse was going at a furious gallop, with ears turned back, asif expecting whip or spur any instant, and the man sat far over on oneside, that leg quite straight as though he was standing in the longstirrup, and the other was resting far up on the saddle--which was ofthe heavy Mexican make, with enormous flaps, and high, round pommel infront. I am most thankful that Rollo has gone beyond that man's reach, as everything about him told of cruelty to horses. 

Yet, Mrs. Ames seemed such a cold woman--so incapable of understandingor appreciating the affection of a dumb animal. During the years weowned Rollo he was struck with the whip only once--the time I wanted himto run down a wolf up the river. 

The Great Northern Railroad runs very near Fort Shaw now--about twentymiles, I think--and, that will make it convenient for the moving of theregiment, and all of us, in fact. We will go to St. Paul on the specialtrain with the regiment, for Faye will not be relieved as adjutant untilhe reaches Fort Snelling, where we will remain for a day or two. It willbe a sad trip for me, for I love the West and life at a Western post, and the vanities of city life do not seem attractive to me--and I shallmiss my army friends, too!

Perhaps it is a small matter to mention, but since I have been with theArmy I have ridden twenty-two horses that had never been ridden by awoman before! As I still recollect the gait and disposition of eachhorse, it seems of some consequence to me, for unbroken as some were, Iwas never unseated--not once!

THE PAXTON HOTEL, OMAHA, NEBRASKA, August, 1888. 

ALMOST five weeks have passed since we left dear Fort Shaw! During thattime we have become more or less accustomed to the restrictions of asmall city, but I fancy that I am not the only one of the party fromMontana who sometimes sighs for the Rocky Mountains and the old garrisonlife. Here we are not of the Army--neither are we citizens. General andMrs. Bourke are still dazzled by the brilliancy of the new silver staron the general's shoulder straps, and can still smile. Faye says verylittle, but I know that he often frets over his present monotonousduties and yearns for the regiment, his duties as adjutant of theregiment, the parades, drills, and outdoor life generally, that makelife so pleasant at a frontier post. 

Department Headquarters is in a government building down by the river, and the offices are most cheerless. All the officers wear civilianclothes, and there is not one scrap of uniform to be seen anyplace--nothing whatever to tell one "who is who, " from the departmentcommander down to Delaney, the old Irish messenger! Each one sits at hisdesk and busies himself over the many neatly tied packages of officialpapers upon it, and tries to make the world believe that he ishappy--but there are confidential talks, when it is admitted that lifeis dreary--the regiment the only place for an energetic officer, andso on. Yet not one of those officers could be induced to give up hisdetail, for it is always such a compliment to be selected from themany for duty at headquarters. Faye and Lieutenant Travis are on thegeneral's personal staff, the others belong to the department. Just now, Faye is away with the department commander, who is making an officialtour of inspection through his new department, which is large, andincludes some fine posts. It is known as "The Department of the Platte. "

Everyone has been most hospitable--particularly the army people at FortOmaha--a post just beyond the city limits. Mrs. Wheeler, wife of thecolonel in command, gave a dancing reception very soon after wegot here, and an elegant dinner a little later on--both for the newbrigadier general and his staff. Mrs. Foster, the handsome wife of thelieutenant colonel, gave a beautiful luncheon, and the officers of theregiment gave a dance that was pleasant. But their orchestra is far frombeing as fine as ours. In the city there have been afternoon and eveningreceptions, and several luncheons, the most charming luncheon of allhaving been the one given by my friend, Mrs. Schuyler, at the UnionClub. One afternoon each week the club rooms are at the disposal of thewives of its members, and so popular is this way of entertaining, the rooms are usually engaged weeks in advance. The service is reallyperfect, and the rooms airy and delightfully cool--and cool rooms aregreat treasures in this hot place. 

The heat has been almost unbearable to us from the mountains, and onemorning I nearly collapsed while having things "fitted" in the stuffyrooms of a dressmaker. Many of these nouveaux riches dress elegantly, and their jewels are splendid. All the women here have such white skins, and by comparison I must look like a Mexican, my face is so brown fromyears of exposure to dry, burning winds. Of course there has been muchshopping to do, and for a time it was so confusing--to have to selectthings from a counter, with a shop girl staring at me, or perhapsinsisting upon my purchasing articles I did not want. For years we hadshopped from catalogues, and it was a nice quiet way, too. Parasolshave bothered me. I would forget to open them in the street, and wouldinvariably leave them in the stores when shopping, and then have to goabout looking them up. But this is the first summer I have been East innine years, and it is not surprising that parasols and things mix me upat times. 

Faye has a beautiful saddle horse--his gait a natural single foot--andI sometimes ride him, but most of my outings are on the electric cars. Imight as well be on them, since I have to hear their buzz and clang bothday and night from our rooms here in the hotel. The other morning, asI was returning from a ride across the river to Council Bluffs, I heardthe shrill notes of a calliope that reminded me that Forepaugh'scircus was to be in town that day, and that I had promised to go to theafternoon performance with a party of friends. But soon there were othersounds and other thoughts. Above the noise of the car I heard a brassband--and there could be no mistake--it was playing strong and full oneof Sousa's marches, "The March Past of the Rifle Regiment"--a marchthat was written for Faye while he was adjutant of the regiment, and"Dedicated to the officers and enlisted men" of the regiment. For almostthree years that one particular march had been the review march of theregiment--that is, it had been played always whenever the regimenthad passed in review before the colonel, inspector general of thedepartment, or any official of sufficient rank and authority to reviewthe troops. 

The car seemed to go miles before it came to a place where I could getoff. Every second was most precious and I jumped down while it was stillin motion, receiving a scathing rebuke from the conductor for doing so. I almost ran until I got to the walk nearest the band, where I taggedalong with boys, both big and small. The march was played for some time, and no one could possibly imagine, how those familiar strains thrilledme. But there was an ever-increasing feeling of indignation that atawdry coated circus band, sitting in a gilded wagon, should presume toplay that march, which seemed to belong exclusively to the regiment, andto be associated only with scenes of ceremony and great dignity. 

The circus men played the piece remarkably well, however, and when itwas stopped I came back to the hotel to think matters over and have aheart-to-heart talk with myself. Of course I am more than proud thatFaye is an aide-de-camp, and would not have things different from whatthey are, but the detail is for four years, and the thought of living inthis unattractive place that length of time is crushing. But Faye willundoubtedly have his captaincy by the expiration of the four years, andthe anticipation of that is comforting. It is the feeling of lonelinessI mind here--of being lost and no one to search for me. I miss thecheery garrison life--the delightful rides, and it may sound funny, butI miss also the little church choir that finally became a joy to me. Sergeant Graves is now leader of the regimental band at Fort Snelling, and Matijicek is in New York, a member of the Damrosch orchestra. It isstill something to wonder over that I should have been on a street carthat carried me to a circus parade at the precise time the Review Marchwas being played! It seems quite as marvelous as my having been seatedat a supper table in a far-away ranch in Montana, the very night anumber of horse breakers were there, also at the table, and one of them"put up" Rollo and me to his friends. I shall never forget how queerI felt when I heard myself discussed by perfect strangers in my verypresence--not one of whom knew in the least who I was. It made me thinkthat perhaps I was shadowy--invisible--although to myself I did not feelat all that way. 

Faye wrote to Mr. Ames about Rollo, thinking that possibly he might buyhim back, but Mr. Ames wrote in reply that Rollo had already been sold, because Mrs. Ames had found it impossible to manage him. Also that hewas owned by the post trader at Fort Maginnis, who was making a pet ofhim. So, as the horse had a good home and gentle treatment, it was oncemore decided to leave him up in his native mountains. It might havebeen cruel to have brought him here to suffer from the heat, and to befrightened and ever fretted by the many strange sights and sounds. But Iam not satisfied, for the horse had an awful fear of men when ridden ordriven by them, and I know that he is so unhappy and wonders why I nolonger come to him, and why I do not take him from the strange peoplewho do not understand him. He was a wonderfully playful animal, andsometimes when Miller would be leading the two horses from our yard tothe corral, he would turn Rollo loose for a run. That always broughtout a number of soldiers to see him rear, lunge, and snort; his turnsso quick, his beautiful tawny mane would be tossed from side to sideand over his face until he looked like a wild horse. The more the menlaughed the wilder he seemed to get. He never forgot Miller, however, but would be at the corral by the time he got there, and would go to hisown stall quietly and without guidance. Poor Rollo!

CAMP NEAR UINTAH MOUNTAINS, WYOMING TERRITORY, August, 1888. 

TO be back in the mountains and in camp is simply glorious! And to seesoldiers walking around, wearing the dear old uniform, just as we usedto see them, makes one feel as though old days had returned. The twocolored men--chef and butler--rather destroy the technique of a militarycamp, but they seem to be necessary adjuncts; and besides, we are notstriving for harmony and effect, but for a fine outing, each day to becomplete with its own pleasures. It was a novel experience to come tothe mountains in a private car! The camp is very complete, as the campof a department commander should be, and we have everything for ourcomfort. We are fourteen miles from the Union Pacific Railroad and sixfrom Fort Bridger, from which post our tents and supplies came. Our iceis sent from there, also, and of course the enlisted men are from thatgarrison. 

The party consists of General and Mrs. Bourke, Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Bourke'ssister, Mrs. Ord of Omaha, General Stanley, paymaster, Captain Rives, judge advocate--both of the department staff--Lieutenant Travis, junioraide-de-camp, Faye, and myself. Mrs. Ord is a pretty woman, always wearsdainty gowns, and is a favorite with Omaha society people. I know hervery well, still I hesitated about wearing my short-skirted outing suit, fearing it would shock her. But a day or two after we got here she saidto me, "What are we to do about those fish, Mrs. Rae? I always catch themost fish wherever I go, but I hear that you are successful also!"

So with high spirits we started out by ourselves that very morning, everyone laughing and betting on our number of fish as we left camp. Iwore the short skirt, but Mrs. Ord had her skirts pinned so high Ifelt that a tuck or two should be taken in mine, to save her fromembarrassment. The fishing is excellent here and each one had everyconfidence in her own good luck, for the morning was perfect for troutfishing. Once I missed Mrs. Ord, and pushing some bushes back whereI thought she might be, I saw a most comical sight. Lying flat on theground, hat pushed back, and eyes peering over the bank of the stream, was Mrs. Ord, the society woman! I could not help laughing--she was soridiculous in that position, which the pinned-up dress made even morefunny--but she did not like it, and looking at me most reproachfullysaid, "You have frightened him away, and I almost had him. " She had beenin that position a long time, she said, waiting for a large trout totake her hook. The race for honors was about even that day, and therewas no cause for envy on either side, for neither Mrs. Ord nor I caughtone fish!

Our camp is near Smith's fork of Snake River, and not far from the campis another fork that never has fish in it--so everyone tells us. Thatseemed so strange, for both streams have the same water from the streamabove, and the same rocky beds. One day I thought I would try thestream, as Smith's fork was so muddy we could not fish in that. Therehad been a storm up in the mountains that had caused both streamsto rise, so I caught some grasshoppers to bait with, as it would beuseless, of course, to try flies. I walked along the banks of theswollen stream until I saw a place where I thought there should be atrout, and to that little place the grasshopper was cast, when snap!went my leader. I put on another hook and another grasshopper, butthe result was precisely the same, so I concluded there must be a snagthere, although I had supposed that I knew a fish from a snag! I triedone or two other places, but there was no variation--and each time Ilost a leader and hook. 

In the meantime a party had come over from camp, Faye among them, andthere had been much good advice given me--and each one had told me thatthere were no fish ever in that stream; then they went on up and satdown on the bank under some trees. I was very cross, for it was notpleasant to be laughed at, particularly by women who had probably neverhad a rod in their hands. And I felt positive that it had been fish thathad carried off my hooks, and I was determined to ascertain what was thematter. So I went back to our tent and got a very long leader, which Idoubled a number of times. I knew that the thickness would not frightenthe fish, as the water was so cloudy. I fixed a strong hook to that, upon which was a fine grasshopper, and going to one of the places wheremy friends said I had been "snagged, " I cast it over, and away it allwent, which proved that I had caught something that could at least actlike a fish. I reeled it in, and in time landed the thing--a splendidlarge trout! My very first thought was of those disagreeable people whohad laughed at me--Faye first of all. So after them I went, carrying thefish, which gained in weight with every step. Their surprise was great, and I could see that Faye was delighted. He carried the trout to campfor me, and I went with him, for I was very tired. 

The next morning I went to that stream again, taking with me a book ofall sorts of flies and some grasshoppers. The department commander wentover also. He asked me to show him where I had lost the hooks, but Isaid, "If you fish in those places you will be laughed at more than Iwas yesterday. " He understood, and went farther down. The water was muchmore clear, but still flies could not be seen, so I used the scornedgrasshopper. In about two hours I caught sixteen beautiful trout, whichweighed, en masse, a little over twenty-five pounds! I cast in the veryplaces where I had lost hooks, and almost every time caught a fish. Ileft them in the shade in various places along the stream, and Faye anda soldier brought them to camp. A fine display they made, spread out onthe grass, for they seemed precisely the same size. 

The general caught two large and several small trout--those were allthat day. It was most remarkable that I should have found the only goodplaces in the stream at a time when the water was not clear. Not onlythe right places, but the one right day, for not one trout has beencaught there since. Perhaps with the high water the fish came up fromSnake River, although trout are supposed to live in clear water. We candispose of any number of birds and fish here, for those that are notneeded for our own large mess can be given to the soldiers, and we oftensend chicken and trout to our friends at Fort Bridger. The farther onegoes up the stream the better the fishing is--that is, the fish are moreplentiful, but not as large as they are here. 

About sixteen miles up--almost in the mountains--was General Crook'sfavorite fishing ground, and when he was in command of the departmenthe and General Stanley, who also is an expert fisherman, came here manytimes, consequently General Stanley is familiar with the country abouthere. The evening after my splendid catch, General Stanley said thathe would like to have Mrs. Ord and me go with him up the stream severalmiles, and asked if I would be willing to give Mrs. Ord the stream, asshe had never used a fly, adding that she seemed a little piqued becauseI had caught such fine fish. I said at once that I would be delighted togive her the lead, although I knew, of course, that whoever goes secondin a trout stream has very poor sport. But the request was a compliment, and besides, I had caught enough fish for a while. 

The next day we made preparations, and early on the morning of thesecond we started. The department commander had gone to Omaha onofficial business, so he was not with us, and Faye did not go; but therest of the party went twelve miles and then established a little campfor the day, and there we left them. Mrs. Ord and I and General Stanley, with a driver, got on a buckboard drawn by two mules, and went fivemiles farther up the stream, until, in fact, it was impossible for evena buckboard to go along the rocky trail. There we were expected to takethe stream, and as soon as we left the wagon, Mrs. Ord and I retiredto some bushes to prepare for the water. I had taken the "tuck" in myouting skirt, so there was not much for me to do; but Mrs. Ord pulled upand pinned up her serge skirt in a way that would have brought a smallfortune to a cartoonist. When we came from the bushes, rods in hand, thesoldier driver gave one bewildered stare, and then almost fell fromhis seat. He was too respectful to laugh outright and thus relieve hisspasms, but he would look at us from the side of his eye, turn his facefrom us and fairly double over--then another quick look, and anotherdouble down again. Mrs. Ord laughed, and so did I. She is quite stoutand I am very thin, and I suppose the soldier did see funny things aboutus. We saw them ourselves. 

I shall never forget my first step in that water! It was as chilling asif it had been running over miles of ice, and by comparison the Augustsun seemed fiery; but these things were soon forgotten, for at once theexcitement of casting a fly began. It is almost as much pleasure to puta little fly just where you want it, as it is to catch the fish. My rodand reel were in perfect condition--Faye had seen to that--and my bookof flies was complete, and with charming companions and a stream fullof trout, a day of unusual pleasure was assured. We were obliged to wadeevery step, as the banks of the stream had walls of boulders and thickbushes. Most of the stream was not very deep, but was a foamy, roaringtorrent, rushing over the small rocks and around the large ones, withlittle, still, dark places along the banks--ideal homes for the mountaintrout. We found a few deep pools that looked most harmless, but thecurrent in them was swift and dangerous to those who could not alwayskeep their balance. It was most difficult for me to walk on the slipperystones at first, and I had many a fall; but Mrs. Ord, being heavy, avoided upsets very nicely. At times we would be in water above ourwaists, and then Mrs. Ord and I would fall back with General Stanley forprotection, who alternately praised and laughed at us during the wholeday. Mrs. Ord was very quick to learn where and how to cast a fly, andI was delighted to let General Stanley see that grasshoppers were not atall necessary to my success in fishing. 

We sat upon a big, flat rock at luncheon, and were thankful that GeneralStanley was a tall man and could keep the box of sandwiches from gettingwet. When we toppled over he always came to our assistance, so at timeshis wading boots were not of much use to him. Mrs. Ord was far ahead ofme in number of fish, and General Stanley said that I had better keepup with her, if I wished. The stream had broadened out some, so finallyMrs. Ord whipped the left side, which is easier casting, and I whippedthe right. We waded down the entire five miles, and Mrs. Ord, whohad the stream most of the time, caught sixty-four trout and I caughtfifty-six, and General Stanley picked up fourteen, after our splashingand frightening away the fish we did not catch. The trout were small, but wonderfully full of fight in that cold water. Of course GeneralStanley carried them for us. The driver had been ordered to keep withincall on the trail, as General Stanley thought it would be impossible forMrs. Ord and me to wade the five miles; but the distance seemed short tous; we never once thought of being tired, and it was with great regretwe reeled in our lines. 

There was a beaver dam above the picnic camp, and before we came to it Ihappened to get near the bank, where I saw in the mud the impression ofa huge paw. It was larger than a tea plate, and was so fresh one couldeasily see where the nails had been. I asked General Stanley to look atit, but he said, "That? oh, that is only the paw of a cub--he has beendown after fish. " At once I discovered that the middle of the stream wasmost attractive, and there I went, and carefully remained there the restof the way down. If the paw of a mere "cub" could be that enormous size, what might not be the size of an ordinary grown-up bear, paws included!Mrs. Ord declared that she rather liked little bears--they were socunning and playful--but I noticed she avoided the banks, also. 

We had left dry clothing at the small camp, and when we returned wefound nice little retreats all ready for us, made of cloaks and things, in among the boulders and bushes. There were cups of delicious hot tea, too; but we were not cold, and the most astonishing thing about thatwhole grand day is, we did not feel stiff or the slightest discomfortin any form after it. The tramp was long and the water cold, and my ownbaths many. I might have saved myself, sometimes, from going all the waydown had I not been afraid of breaking my rod, which I always held highwhen I fell. The day was one to be remembered by Mrs. Ord and me. We hadthought all the time that General Stanley was making a great sacrificeby giving up a day's sport for our amusement, and that it was so kind ofhim, for, of course he could not be enjoying the day; but it seems thathe had sport of which we knew nothing until the following day--in fact, we know nothing about it yet! But he began to tell the most absurdstories of what we did, and we must have done many unusual things, forhe is still entertaining the camp with them. He was very proud of us, nevertheless, and says so often. The ride of twelve miles back to campseemed endless, for as soon as the excitement of the stream was over wefound that we were tired--awfully tired. 

We have only a few weeks more of this delightful life. The hunting isexcellent, too, and Faye and Captain Rives often bring in large bags ofmountain grouse and young sage hens. The sage chicken are as tender anddelicious as partridge before they begin to feed upon wild sage in thefall, but one short day in the brush makes them different birds andwholly unpalatable. We often send birds, and fish also, to friends atFort Bridger, who were most hospitable the day we arrived, and beforecoming to camp. 

I had quite forgotten the wedding yesterday! It was at Fort Bridger, andthe bride, a daughter of the post trader, is related to several familiesof social position at Omaha. We put on the very prettiest gowns we hadwith us, but the effect was disappointing, for our red faces lookedredder than ever above delicate laces and silks. The ceremony wasat noon--was very pretty--and everything passed off beautifully. Thebreakfast was delicious, and we wondered at the dainty dishes served sofar from a caterer. The house was not large, and every bit of air hadbeen shut out by darkening the windows, but we were spared the heat andsmell of lamps on the hot day by the rooms being lighted by hundredsof candles, each one with a pretty white shade. But some of us feltsmothered, and as soon as the affair was over, started immediately forthe camp, where we could have exhilarating mountain air once more. 

It was really one whole day stolen from our outing! We can always havecrowded rooms, receptions, and breakfasts, wherever we happen to be inthe East, but when again will we be in a glorious camp like this--andour days here are to be so few! From here we are to go to Salt Lake Cityfor a week or two. 

THE WALKER HOUSE, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. September, 1888. 

THE weather is still very warm, but not hot enough to keep us from goingto the lake as usual this morning. The ride is about eighteen mileslong, and is always more or less pleasant. The cars, often long trains, are narrow gauge, open, and airy. The bathing is delightful, but whollyunlike anything to be found elsewhere. The wonderfully clear water iscool and exhilarating, but to swim in it is impossible, it is so heavyfrom its large percentage of salt. So every one floats, but not at allas one floats in other waters. We lie upon our backs, of course--atleast we think we do--but our feet are always out of the water, and ourheads straight up, with large straw hats upon them. 

They have a way of forming human chains on the water that often startlesone at first. They are made by hooking one's arms close to the shoulderover the ankles of another person, still another body hooking on to you, and so on. Then each one will stretch his or her arms out and paddlebackward, and in this way we can go about without much effort, and cansee all the funny things going on around us. As I am rather tall, second position in a chain is almost always given to me, and my firstacquaintance with masculine toes close to my face came very near beingdisastrous. The feet stood straight up, and the toes looked so veryfunny, with now and then a twitch back or front, that soon I wantedto laugh, and the more I tried not to the more hysterical I became. Myshoulders were shaking, and the owner of the toes--a pompous man--beganto suspect that I was laughing and probably at the toes. Still hecontinued to twist them around--one under the other--in an astonishingway, that made them fascinating. The head of the chain--the pompousman--became ominously silent. At last I said, almost sobbing, "Can'tyou see for yourself how funny all those things are in front of us? Theylook like wings in their pin-feather stage--only they are on the wrongside--and I am wondering if the black stockings would make real blackwings--and what some of us would do with them, after all!" After thatthere was less pompous dignity and less hysteria, although the toescontinued to wigwag. 

It is a sight that repays one to watch, when dozens of thesechains--some long, some short--are paddling about on the blue water thatis often without a ripple. It is impossible to drown, for sink in it youcannot, but to get the brine in one's nose and throat is dangerous, asit easily causes strangulation, particularly if the person is at allnervous. We wear little bits of cotton in our ears to prevent thewater from getting in, for the crust of salt it would leave might causeintense pain. 

Bathing in water so salt makes one both hungry and sleepy, therefore itis considered quite the correct thing to eat hot popcorn, and snoozeon the return trip. We get the popcorn at the pavilion, put up inattractive little bags, and it is always crisp and delicious. Justimagine a long open car full of people, each man, woman, and childgreedily munching the tender corn! By the time one bag full has beeneaten, heads begin to wobble, and soon there is a "Land of Nod"--realnod, too. Some days, when the air is particularly soft and balmy, everyone in the car will be oblivious of his whereabouts. Not one stopis made from the lake to the city. 

Faye and I were at the lake almost a week--Garfield Beach the bathingplace is called---so I could make a few water-color drawings early inthe morning, when the tints on the water are so pearly and exquisitelydelicate. During the day the lake is usually a wonderful blue--deepand brilliant--and the colors at sunset are past description. The sundisappears back of the Oquirah Mountains in a world of glorious yellowand orange, and as twilight comes on, the mountains take on violet andpurple shades that become deeper and deeper, until night covers all fromsight. 

There was not a vacant room at Garfield Beach, so they gave us two largerooms at Black Rock--almost one mile away, but on the car line. Therooms were in a low, long building, that might easily be mistaken forsoldiers' barracks, and which had broad verandas with low roofs allalong both sides. That queer building had been built by Brigham Youngfor his seven wives! It consisted of seven apartments of two rooms each, a sitting room and sleeping room; all the sitting rooms were on oneside, opening out upon the one veranda, and the bedrooms were on theother side and opened out upon the other veranda. These apartments didnot connect in any way, except by the two porches. Not far from thatbuilding was another that had once been the dining room and kitchenof the seven wives. These mormon women must be simply idiotic, or havetheir tempers under good control!

It was all most interesting and a remarkable experience to have livedin one of Brigham Young's very own houses. But the place wasghostly--lonesome beyond everything--and when the wind moaned and sighedthrough the rooms one could fancy it was the wailing of the spiritsof those seven wretched wives. When we returned at night to the dark, unoccupied building, it seemed more spooky than ever, after themusic and light at Garfield Beach. Our meals were served to us at therestaurant at the pavilion. I made some very good sketches of the lake, Antelope Island, and a number of the wonderful Black Rock that is out inthe lake opposite the Brigham Young house. 

About two miles from the city, and upon the side of the WasatchMountains, is Camp Douglas, an army post, which the new departmentcommander came to inspect. The inspection was in the morning, and weall went to see it, and were driven in the post with the booming ofcannon--the salute always given a brigadier general when he enters apost officially. It was pretty to see the general's wife partly coverher ears, and pretend that she did not like the noise, when all the timeher eyes were sparkling, and we knew that every roar of the big gunsadded to her pride. If all those guns had been for Faye I could neverhave stayed in the ambulance. 

It is charming up there--in the post--and the view is magnificent. Wesat out on a vine-covered porch during the inspection, and watched thetroops and the review. It made me so happy, and yet so homesick, too, tosee Faye once more in his uniform. The inspection was all too short, andafter it was over, many officers and their wives came to call upon us, when wine and delicious cake was served. We were at the quarters of thecolonel and post commander. That was the second post we had taken Mrs. Ord to, and she is suddenly enthusiastic over army people, forgettingthat Omaha has a post of its own. But with us she has been in the tailof the comet--which made things more interesting. Army people are nice, though, particularly in their own little garrison homes. 

There is only one mormon store here, and that is very large andcooperative. Every mormon who has anything whatever to sell is compelledto take it to that store to be appraised, and a percentage taken fromit. There are a few nice gentile shops, but mormons cannot enter them;they can purchase only at the mormon store, where the gentiles are evercordially welcomed also. Splendid fruit and vegetables are grown in thisvalley--especially the fruit, which is superior to any we ever saw. Thegrapes are of many varieties, each one large and rich with flavor, andthe peaches and big yellow pears are most luscious. Upon our table downin the dining room there is always an immense glass bowl of selectedfruit--peaches, pears, and grapes, and each time we go down it seems tolook more attractive. 

We have been to see the tabernacle, with its marvelous acousticproperties, and the temple, which is not yet finished. The immense pipeorgan in the tabernacle was built where it now stands, and entirely bymormons. From Brigham Young's old home a grand boulevard runs, throughthe city, across the valley, and over the hill far away, and how muchbeyond I do not know. This road, so broad and white, Brigham Young saidwould lead to Jerusalem. They have a river Jordan here, too, a littlestream that runs just outside the city. 

There are grand trees in every street, and every old yard, and onecannot help feeling great indignation to see where in some places theincoming gentiles have cut trees down to make space for modern showybuildings, that are so wholly out of harmony with the low, artisticwhite houses and vine-covered walls. It is such a pity that these high, red buildings could not have been kept outside, and the old mormon cityleft in its original quaint beauty. 

We will return to Omaha soon now, and I shall at once become busy withpreparations for the winter East. I have decided to go home in October, so I can have a long, comfortable visit before going to Washington. Faye wishes me to join him there the last of December. I am not veryenthusiastic over the prospect of crowded rooms, daily receptions and"teas, " and other affairs of more formality. But since I cannot returnto the plains, I might as well go to the city, where we will meet peopleof culture, see the fascinating Diplomatic Corps, and be presentedto the President's beautiful young wife. Later on there will be theinauguration--for we expect to pass the winter in Washington. 

THE END