signs of the return of the party. It could not have been possible that the escort was behind us, and it was not a pleasant thing to suppose that they had been driven out of their path by a body of hostile Indians. We had but one course to pursue. There were but six altogether in our party. We had our arms with us, but no supplies. We got on the trail determined to follow it back to the old camp, and if we found no one there, decided to push, during the night, as best we could towards the Washita.

Darkness soon enveloped us. The impenetrable clouds over head, cast a shadow over the lights of the night, and the rain which was falling, multiplied the discomforts of our situation. The very blackness of darkness reigned. It was impossible to penetrate the terrible gloom. We allowed our animals to take their own course, and kept close to each other by frequently exchanging words. An hour of annoying uncertainty thus prevailed. We scanned the black element in front, in hopes of discovering the friendly light of the camp-fire. We struck the creek. Ascending the bank we were soon relieved by the challenge of the sentinel. A few steps farther on we saw the light of the fires. The rain had now set in harder than ever. Everything in camp was wet, and fires would scarcely burn. Our tent-flies were of little use to us. The rain blew in on all sides. Under these circumstances a supper on hard-tack was a luxurious repast, and soon we all threw ourselves upon the ground to pass a wet and cheerless night.

Rain! Rain !! Rain !!! The livelong night the liquid element pattered upon our leaky protection over head. The next morning we found ourselves in several inches of water. The cañou in which we had established ourselves, was evidently poorly drained. We were in a sorry plight. Wet to the skin, The animals were jaded, and had not rested at all through the night. It was now necessary to return to the Washita as quickly as possible. Our camp arrangements were gathered and packed upon the animals, and by eight o'clock we left the comfortless spot without regret.

Rising out of the cañon we encountered a change of tem; perature. A fearful "norther" was sweeping over the plain, and the entire face of nature exposed to its force, was covered with a crystal surface. The trees, the high grass, and under growth were covered with ice. The wind and cold rain were directly in our faces. Our animals refused to advance. It required a vigorous belaboring to get them warmed up before they would brave the storm.

We had eight hours ride before us. A trying prospect, wet and half frozen as we were. We ventured to make the attempt, though many were the fears that some would be found missing before we could reach the other end of our journey. There was another danger which the omnipotence of Providence alone could control. That was the element around us. The temperature was now at freezing, and the air began to grow colder. Should the "norther" suddenly change to one of that merciless character often experienced, and so often causing the death of parties, both white man and red, our case was hopeless. It frequently occurs that from a severe rain, a "norther" follows in the course of a few hours, changing the temperature from comparative summer into the depths of winter. These were our fears. It was known no Indian would leave his lodge such a day as this. The rain fell, and the fierce north wind blew. The streams were swollen, and the low grounds flooded. Cold, wet, and numb, each one of our party pushed ahead as best he could. There was no order. Every one now looked out for himself. An animal falling by the way-side, would cost a human being. The temperature was watched with solicitude. Every change was noted, for upon this fickle thread rested our safety.

Late in the afternoon the Washita was reached. The water now flowed in a threatening turbid flood. So near our destination, we were not to be delayed. Away we went, splashing and sinking, and rising, some in the middle of the stream, some heading up, stemming the current, some losing their direction and carried down in the rapid waters. We crossed safely. No

one lost. We were now soon in camp, but in a sorry plight, presenting the appearance of a combination of ice, wet, and mud. Reaching camp, the hardships we had endured were more sensible. Swollen hands and feet, painful in the extreme, were the lot of every one. Four of the troopers were unable to dismount. They had to be taken from their horses and sent to the hospital. Several men fainted, overcome with exhaustion. Several horses laid down, never to rise. As for myself, I found it necessary to cut my boots from my feet. With a roaring fire in my tent, I sat for a half hour in the interesting attitude of holding my hands and feet in cold water. Both these extremities felt as if a thousand needles were going through them. An inward application of hot punch and a night rolled up in blankets and buffalo-robes, found me in good spirits the next morning, more than could be said for some days of the majority of our party.

CHAPTER XXXV.

NEWS FROM THE BASCOM COLUMN-DISTRIBUTION OF ANNUITY GOODS-MOVING CAMP-TIDINGS FROM CARR-ASCENT OF MOUNT SCOTT-AN UNPLEASANT

PREDICAMENT.

HE object of the expedition was satisfactorily accomplished. The Commanding General made up his mind at once to abandon the old camp and establish the troops at the new site, where it was proposed also to erect a permanent post. During the delay, in consequence of the incessant rains which had fallen since our memorable ride, information was received from Indian sources that a column of troopers had suddenly appeared at the western extremity of the Witchitas, about forty miles distant. This column, it was reported, had attacked and destroyed a Comanche village of sixty lodges. At first the report was doubted as a story, fabricated by the Indians around camp. To confirm these rumors, several paid Indian runners and scouts were sent out to communicate with the column, if it existed. All the runners and scouts returned, confirming the Indian stories. It was discovered that this was Evans' column, which had moved out from Fort Bascom, in New Mexico. Lieutenant Hunter, of the expedition, with an escort, had now arrived at headquarters. Orders were sent out for the column to await supplies on the Washita, thirty miles above. The Commanding General, accompanied by several officers and an escort, rode to Evans' camp. The supplies were also hastened forward, so as to lose no time by delay.

Evans left Fort Bascom, the previous November, with six companies of the 3d cavalry, one company of the 37th infantry, Captain Gageby, and four mountain howitzers, Lieutenant