s sent from the fort to warn settlers of their
peril, and at their suggestion we returned to the ranch, saddled horses,
and rode through the dense smoke five miles to the fort. It was the most
unpleasant ride of my life.

In the preceding chapter mention was made of the finding of a remarkable
bone. It became famous, and in the summer of 1871 Professor Marsh, of
Yale College, brought out a party of students to search for fossils.
They found a number, but were not rewarded by anything the most
credulous could torture into a human relic.

This summer also witnessed an Indian campaign somewhat out of the common
in several of its details. More than one volume would be required
to record all the adventures Scout Cody had with the Children of the
Plains, most of which had so many points in common that it is necessary
to touch upon only those containing incidents out of the ordinary.

An expedition, under command of General Duncan, was fitted out for the
Republican River country. Duncan was a jolly officer and a born fighter.
His brother officers had a story that once on a time he had been shot
in the head by a cannon-ball, and that while he was not hurt a particle,
the ball glanced off and killed one of the toughest mules in the army.

Perhaps it was because the Pawnees spoke so little English, and spoke
that little so badly, that General Duncan insisted upon their repeating
the English call, which would be something like this: "Post Number One.
Nine o'clock. All's well." The Pawnee effort to obey was so ludicrous,
and provocative of such profanity (which they could express passing
well), that the order was countermanded.

One afternoon Major North and Will rode ahead of the command to select
a site for the night's camp. They ran into a band of some fifty Indians,
and were obliged to take the back track as fast as their horses could
travel. Will's whip was shot from his hand and a hole put through his
hat. As they sighted the advance-guard of the command, Major North rode
around in a circle--a signal to the Pawnees that hostiles were near.
Instantly the Pawnees broke ranks and dashed pell-mell to the relief of
their white chief. The hostiles now took a turn at retreating, and kept
it up for several miles.

The troops took up the trail on the following day, and a stern chase set
in. In passing through a deserted camp the troops found an aged squaw,
who had been left to die. The soldiers built a lodge for her, and she
was