e in the fact that he had fallen under the fire of so great a
warrior as "Pahaska," Long-haired Chief, by which name our scout was
known among the Indians.

CHAPTER XIX. -- ARMY LIFE AT FORT M'PHERSON.

IN the spring of 1870 Will proceeded to put into effect the
determination of the previous year--to establish a home in the lovely
country of the westerly Platte. After preparing quarters wherein his
family might be comfortable, he obtained a leave of absence and departed
for St. Louis to fetch his wife and daughter Arta, now a beautiful child
of three.

The fame of "Buffalo Bill" had extended far beyond the plains, and
during his month's sojourn in St. Louis he was the object of a great
deal of attention. When the family prepared to depart for the frontier
home, my sister-in-law wrote to me to ask if I did not wish to accompany
them. I should have been delighted to accept the invitation, but at that
especial time there were strong attractions for me in my childhood's
home; besides, I felt that sister May, who had not enjoyed the pleasure
of the St. Louis trip, was entitled to the Western jaunt.

So May made a visit to McPherson, and a delightful time she had, though
she was at first inclined to quarrel with the severe discipline of
army life. Will ranked with the officers, and as a result May's social
companions were limited to the two daughters of General Augur, who were
also on a visit to the fort. To compensate for the shortage of feminine
society, however, there were a number of young unmarried officers.

Every day had its curious or enlivening incident, and May's letters
to me were filled with accounts of the gayety of life at an army post.
After several months I was invited to join her. She was enthusiastic
over a proposed buffalo-hunt, as she desired to take part in one before
her return to Leavenworth, and wished me to enjoy the sport with her.

In accepting the invitation I fixed a certain day for my arrival at
McPherson, but I was delayed in my journey, and did not reach the fort
until three days after the date set. May was much disturbed. She had
allowed me three days for recuperation from the journey, and I had
arrived on the eve of the buffalo-hunt. Naturally, I was too fatigued
to rave over buffaloes, and I objected to joining the hunt; and I was
encouraged in my objecting by the discovery that my brother was away on
a scouting trip.

"You don't think of going buffalo-hunting without Will, do you