untry. The
scouts had all bidden me a hearty good-bye, and wished me success, not
knowing when, if ever, they would again gaze upon "my warlike form," as
the poet would say.

It was dark as pitch, but this I rather liked, as there was little
probability of any of the red-skins seeing me unless I stumbled upon them
accidentally. My greatest danger was that my horse might run into a hole
and fall down, and in this way get away from me. To avoid any such
accident, I tied one end of my rawhide lariat to the bridle and the
other end to my belt. I didn't propose to be left on foot, alone out on
the prairie.

[Illustration: WHOA THERE!]

It was, indeed, a wise precaution that I had taken, for within the next
three miles the horse, sure enough, stepped into a prairie-dog's hole,
and down he went, throwing me clear over his head. Springing to his feet,
before I could catch hold of the bridle, he galloped away into the
darkness; but when he reached the full length of the lariat, he found
that he was picketed to Bison William. I brought him up standing, and
after finding my gun, which had dropped to the ground, I went up to him
and in a moment was in the saddle again, and went on my way rejoicing
keeping straight on my course until I came to the ravines leading into
Walnut Creek, twenty-five miles from Fort Larned, where the country
became rougher, requiring me to travel slower and more carefully, as I
feared the horse might fall over the bank, it being difficult to see
anything five feet ahead. As a good horse is not very apt to jump over a
bank, if left to guide himself, I let mine pick his own way. I was now
proceeding as quietly as possible, for I was in the vicinity of a band of
Indians who had recently camped in that locality. I thought that I had
passed somewhat above the spot, having made a little circuit to the west
with that intention; but as bad luck would have it this time, when I came
up near the creek I suddenly rode in among a herd of horses. The animals
became frightened and ran off in every direction.

I knew at once that I was among Indian horses, and had walked into the
wrong pew; so without waiting to apologize, I backed out as quickly as
possible. At this moment a dog, not fifty yards away, set up a howl, and
then I heard some Indians engaged in conversation;--they were guarding
the horses, and had been sleeping. Hearing my horse's retreating
footsteps toward the hills, and thus becoming aware that there h