Thinks he's got a 'call,' I reckon, to look
arter Injins, just as them Abolitionists looked arter slaves. And get
hated just as they was by the folks here,--and as WE are, too, for the
matter of that."

"Well, I dunno," rejoined the farrier, "it don't seem nateral for white
men to quarrel with each other about the way to treat an Injin, and that
Injin lyin' in ambush to shoot 'em both. And ef gov'ment would only make
up its mind how to treat 'em, instead of one day pretendin' to be
their 'Great Father' and treatin' them like babies, and the next makin'
treaties with 'em like as they wos forriners, and the next sendin' out
a handful of us to lick ten thousand of them--Wot's the use of ONE
regiment--even two--agin a nation--on their own ground?"

"A nation,--and on their own ground,--that's just whar you've hit it,
Softy. That's the argument of that Congressman Atherly, as I've heard
him talk with the kernel."

"And what did the kernel say?"

"The kernel reckoned it was his business to obey orders,--and so should
you. So shut your head! If ye wanted to talk about gov'ment ye might
say suthin' about its usin' us to convoy picnics and excursion parties
around, who come out here to have a day's shootin', under some big-wig
of a political boss or a railroad president, with a letter to the
general. And WE'RE told off to look arter their precious skins, and
keep the Injins off 'em,--and they shootin' or skeerin' off the Injins'
nat'ral game, and our provender! Darn my skin ef there'll be much to
scout for ef this goes on. And b'gosh!--of they aren't now ringin' in
a lot of titled forriners to hunt 'big game,' as they call it,--Lord
This-and-That and Count So-and-So,--all of 'em with letters to the
general from the Washington cabinet to show 'hospitality,' or from
millionaires who've bin hobnobbin' with 'em in the old country. And darn
my skin ef some of 'em ain't bringin' their wives and sisters along too.
There was a lord and lady passed through here under escort last week,
and we're goin' to pick up some more of 'em at Fort Biggs tomorrow,--and
I reckon some of us will be told off to act as ladies' maids or
milliners. Nothin' short of a good Injin scare, I reckon, would send
them and us about our reg'lar business. Whoa, then, will ye? At it
again, are ye? What's gone of the d--d critter?"

Here the fractious near horse was again beginning to show signs of
disturbance and active terror. His quivering nostrils were turned