a crossing against such obstacles, for a time considerably exercised the wits of the engineers.

After some discussion of the best plans for crossing, it was proposed to cut a passage. A large detail of troops was sent to the front and with axes broke the ice in a number of places so as to weaken its resistance. A squadron of cavalry was next ordered in and with great difficulty floundered across. The legs of the animals were badly lacerated in the undertaking. Several of the horses, riders and all, stumbled into the water, but were dragged out in time to prevent any loss of life. The advance party built large fires, of "buffalo chips" gathered on the neighboring hills, for the accommodation of the men as they crossed, particularly those who found an inhospitable bath in the freezing waters of the Canadian.

The crossing of the river occupied five hours and was effected without the loss of a single wagon, notwithstanding several were frozen fast while delayed in the stream and had to be cut

out.

The ascent from the Canadian to the high grounds on its southern bank was a labor of excessive difficulty, owing to precipitous bluffs and yawning gorges. After reaching the elevated lands, the column progressed slowly. The temperature kept at the same degree of cold, and the wind displayed no signs of moderation.

During the afternoon we came in sight of the Antelope hills. These hills consisted of several lofty peaks, perfectly barren of trees, and presenting a very peculiar appearance. Rising out of a high table-land, they were visible at a great distance, and have always been used by the Indians as land-marks. The country, in the vicinity, was always a favorite resort for the wild Indian tribes on account of game.

Before striking the Washita, we entered a vast basin, as sterile as that encountered north of the Canadian. The whole country was covered with hillocks, shooting out of the even surface, to a heighth of fifty and sixty feet. The carcasses of a number of buffaloes, recently killed, were found, together

with other unmistakable signs of the presence of the savages within a few days.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, having made eighteen miles, the column went into camp on the north side of the Washita.

To old Joe, the expedition was a source of great perplexity. The old scout was specially "demoralized,” and naturally complained more than ever. The cold weather was particularly a source of doleful repinings. To cap the climax, his horse had given out, which subjected him to the humiliating necessity of "footing it." Reflecting upon his former experience, doubtless, he never lost an opportunity to observe "that it was an infarnal country that could'nt farnish a feller a horse when he had need on one." After trudging along for a day or two, the old worthy presented himself astride an old mule, which had been abandoned. While belaboring the poor brute with the heavy end of a quirk, he did not fail to extol the remarkable patience and pluck of his new acquisition, and swore if he could ever get the mule "in," he would make out of it the finest animal in all the country.

Ten or fifteen

Sheridan and Joe were warm and old friends. years before, while the General was in a subordinate command in Oregon, Joe reveled in all the power and importance of affluence, in such a shape as the country afforded. In speaking of those days, the old scout would reiterate an inventory of his worldly goods then, which consisted of ox and mule trains, "the finest in those parts." He was then, withal, a "gay gambolier," as he expressed it, and after a long chapter of vicissitudes, at the hands of fickle fortune, "trying to mend," he came down "ka-wollup." Financially flat on his back, he struggled along, and finally resolved to leave the scenes of so much of frontier experience on the Pacific coast. He came back to civilization, tried a new mode of life for several weeks, got into a series of rows, and was almost constantly entertained by the servants of the law. The despotism of society was too much for him, so he returned to his native element, the frontier, bound in the course of his wanderings to Texas. From his

reckless and solitary sorties through the country, the chances were ten to one that some “red devil” would suddenly divert his route into probably a worse region than Texas.

The fact of old Joe having known the General " on the slope," speaking a little Chenook, and having, in his days of prosperity. "done much teaming for him," the old fellow had additional privileges at headquarters. These he never failed regularly to enjoy, usually calling after dark, and seating himself, in due form, on the ground by the camp fire, lighting an old cob or mud pipe, domestic manufacture, and in profound meditation, apparently, awaiting an introductory observation from the General.

After reaching camp on the Washita, Joe made his appearance, as usual. He had been missing for several days, and a curiosity to learn what the old fellow had been doing, induced the General to make a few inquiries. "Joe," said the General, "you have not been around, these few days. Busy looking after those red friends of yours."

"No friends of mine, good evening, General," remarked Joe by way of response and salutation.

“Well, what is going on? you are always posted," said the General.

"Nothin, except I've bin havin a infarnal chronicle cough, that's been nigh scuttlin me this two days, an I've been a thinkin that I cotched the glanders, an they might as well shoot a feller to onct as to have that bothering him."

The General hereupon produced a small flask of brandy, and handed to the old scout a good "swig," in a tin cup.

"Well, it won't do any harm," said, Joe, with well-feigned diffidence, "but its been so long since I see anything like that, it's mighty sure to surprise a feller's in'ards."

The old scout took his drink, without farther reflection, and after a relishing smack of his lips, became doubly voluble, occasionally throwing in a little Chenook, by way of reminiscence.

Several hours after every one had retired to his blankets, Joe still sat by the fire, narrating his experiences and telling of his former opulence, to an imaginary audience.

CHAPTER XXI.

A VISIT TO THE FIELD OF THE BATTLE OF THE WASHITA-RECOVERY OF TBA BODIES OF ELLIOTT AND HIS MEN-FIENDISH MUTILATION

THE BODY OF A WOMAN AND CHILD FOUND.

E had now reached the chosen resort of the wild tribes occupying the country between the Arkansas and the Red rivers. The extraordinary fertility, the abundance of timber and game, rendered the valley of the Washita an inviting spot for the savage warrior and his kindred during the inhospitable season of snow and rain. The almost impassable nature of the extensive country to the north was in itself considered a sufficient barrier against encroachment at almost any period of the year, and especially in winter. Until the present year innumerable herds of buffaloes, driven by the severe weather and scarcity of pasturage, to the lower latitudes, roamed through the country in ready access, and hunting-parties were daily employed in bringing in meat for the winter store and hides for barter with the Indian trader. The military operations for the preceding few months had driven back the buffalo to the north, while the recent visit of Custer had alarmed the savages themselves to such an extent that the country had been abandoned, and the chiefs with their people had either moved in the direction of Fort Cobb, to take advantage of the intercession of the officers there, or fled to the Wachita mountains, as they supposed, out of danger.

Our camp was but eight miles from the scene of the then recent fight with Black Kettle's band. The anxiety felt in regard to the fate of Elliott and his men, who had not been heard of

since their disappearance in the battle, and hoping to find some trace of the missing party, Sheridan directed that the column should remain in camp one day.

On the night of the tenth of December a small expedition was made up to visit the battle-ground, and to scout the country adjacent. By eight o'clock on the next morning the expedition was ready to start. The party consisted of the Commanding General, Custer, several of the staff, and four or five officers, and the writer. The escorting squadron was composed detachments of each of the companies of the seventh, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Custer, Captain Yates, and Lieutenant Weston. Several Osage and Kaw Indians were also sent in advance as scouts.

The morning was clear but cold. Animal and rider felt little disposition to tarry by the way. A sharp, biting wind blew in our faces, and it was with rapid movements we hastened to our destination. Our line of march was along the north side of the stream. A heavy growth of timber and underbrush skirted the bank, from which in passing we started several deer and large droves of turkeys, Away from the river the country rose abruptly into high ranges, broken here and there by a number of bald red hills.

A ride of an hour and a half brought us to the immediate vicinity of the battle-ground. At a distance, looking down from a "divide," which the column was crossing to avoid a large bend in the river, the scene was one of most intense solitude. The sunlight glistening upon the heavy frost, which had not yet disappeared from the trees and long grass of the lowlands, lent the only charm to the landscape. The barren hills, the wild and silent valley, the leafless and lifeless vegetation, formed the picture of desolation,

We had now reached the line of formation taken by the left centre column in the fight. The horses' tracks were still visible. It was here Elliott in the darkness formed his squadron, and awaited the first finger of dawn to hurl his troopers upon the fated village. Beyond this we entered the late field of strife.