ad been
an enemy in their camp, they mounted their steeds and started for me.

I urged my horse to his full speed, taking the chances of his falling
into holes, and guided him up the creek bottom. The Indians followed me
as fast as they could by the noise I made, but I soon distanced them; and
then crossed the creek.

When I had traveled several miles in a straight course, as I supposed, I
took out my compass and by the light of a match saw that I was bearing
two points to the east of north. At once changing my course to the direct
route, I pushed rapidly on through the darkness towards Smoky Hill River.
At about three o'clock in the morning I began traveling more cautiously,
as I was afraid of running into another band of Indians. Occasionally I
scared up a herd of buffaloes or antelopes, or coyotes, or deer, which
would frighten my horse for a moment, but with the exception of these
slight alarms I got along all right.

After crossing Smoky Hill River, I felt comparatively safe as this was
the last stream I had to cross. Riding on to the northward I struck the
old Santa Fe trail, ten miles from Fort Hays, just at break of day.

My horse did not seem much fatigued, and being anxious to make good time
and get as near the post as possible before it was fairly daylight as
there might be bands of Indians camped along Big Creek, I urged him
forward as fast as he could go. As I had not "lost" any Indians, I was
not now anxious to make their acquaintance, and shortly after _reveille_
rode into the post. I proceeded directly to General Sheridan's
headquarters, and, was met at the door, by Colonel Moore, _aid-de-camp_
on General Sheridan's staff who asked me on what business I had come.

"I have dispatches for General Sheridan, and my instructions from Captain
Parker, commanding Fort Larned, are that they shall be delivered to the
General as soon as possible," said I.

Colonel Moore invited me into one of the offices, and said he would hand
the dispatches to t h e General as soon as he got up.

[Illustration: DELIVERING DISPATCHES TO SHERIDAN.]

"I prefer to give these dispatches to General Sheridan myself, and at
once," was my reply.

The General, who was sleeping in the same building, hearing our voices,
called out, "Send the man in with the dispatches." I was ushered into the
General's presence, and as we had met before he recognized me and said:

"Hello, Cody, is that you?"

"Yes, sir; I have some dispatches her