provided with sufficient rations to last her until she reached the
Indian heaven, the happy hunting-grounds. She was in no haste, however,
to get to her destination, and on their return the troops took her to
the fort with them. Later she was sent to the Spotted Tail agency.

In September of 1871 General Sheridan and a party of friends arrived
at the post for a grand hunt. Between him and Will existed a warm
friendship, which continued to the close of the general's life. Great
preparations were made for the hunt. General Emory, now commander of the
fort, sent a troop of cavalry to meet the distinguished visitors at the
station and escort them to the fort. Besides General Sheridan, there
were in the party Leonard and Lawrence Jerome, Carroll Livingstone,
James Gordon Bennett, J. G. Heckscher, General Fitzhugh, Schuyler
Crosby, Dr. Asch, Mr. McCarthy, and other well-known men. When they
reached the post they found the regiment drawn up on dress parade;
the band struck up a martial air, the cavalry were reviewed by General
Sheridan, and the formalities of the occasion were regarded as over.

It was Sheridan's request that Will should act as guide and scout for
the hunting-party. One hundred troopers under Major Brown were detailed
as escort, and the commissary department fairly bulged. Several
ambulances were also taken along, for the comfort of those who might
weary of the saddle.

Game was abundant, and rare sport was had. Buffalo, elk, and deer were
everywhere, and to those of the party who were new to Western life the
prairie-dog villages were objects of much interest. These villages are
often of great extent. They are made up of countless burrows, and so
honeycombed is the country infested by the little animals that travel
after nightfall is perilous for horses. The dirt is heaped around the
entrance to the burrows a foot high, and here the prairie-dogs, who are
sociability itself, sit on their hind legs and gossip with one another.
Owls and rattlesnakes share the underground homes with the rightful
owners, and all get along together famously.

When the hunting-party returned to McPherson its members voted Will a
veritable Nimrod--a mighty hunter, and he was abundantly thanked for his
masterly guidance of the expedition.

That winter a still more distinguished party visited the post--the Grand
Duke Alexis and his friends. As many of my readers will recall, the
nobleman's visit aroused much enthusiasm in this coun