and was going for the
cattle, which only existed in my imagination.

I hardly knew what to do, but thought that if I could get the river
between the Indians and myself I would have a good three-quarters of a
mile the start of them, and could then make a run for Fort Larned, as my
mule was a good one.

Thus far my cattle story had panned out all right; but just as I reached
the opposite bank of the river, I looked behind and saw that ten or
fifteen Indians who had begun to suspect something crooked, were
following me. The moment that my mule secured a good foothold on the
bank, I urged him into a gentle lope towards the place where, according
to my statement, the cattle were to be brought. Upon reaching a little
ridge, and riding down the other side out of view, I turned my mule and
headed him westward for Fort Larned. I let him out for all that he was
worth, and when I came out on a little rise of ground, I looked back, and
saw the Indian village in plain sight. My pursuers were now on the ridge
which I had passed over, and were looking for me in every direction.

Presently they spied me, and seeing that I was running away, they struck
out in swift pursuit, and in a few minutes it became painfully evident
that they were gaining on me. They kept up the chase as far as Ash Creek,
six miles from Fort Larned. I still led them half a mile, as their horses
had not gained much during the last half of the race. My mule seemed to
have gotten his second wind, and as I was on the old road I had played
the whip and spurs on him without much cessation. The Indians likewise
had urged their steeds to the utmost.

Finally, upon reaching the dividing ridge between Ash Greek and Pawnee
Fork, I saw Fort Larned only four miles away. It was now sundown, and I
heard the evening gun at the fort. The troops of the garrison little
dreamed that there was a man flying for his life from the Indians and
trying to reach the post. The Indians were once more gaining on me, and
when I crossed the Pawnee Fork, two miles from the post, two or three of
them were only a quarter of a mile behind me. Just as I had gained the
opposite bank of the stream I was overjoyed to see some soldiers in a
government wagon, only a short distance off. I yelled at the top of my
voice, and riding up to them, told them that the Indians were after me.

[Illustration: AMBUSHING THE INDIANS.]

Denver Jim, a well-known scout, asked how many there were, and upon my
informi