odge, a distance of ninety-five miles. The following night I had
traveled from Fort Dodge thirty miles on muleback and thirty-five miles
on foot to Fort Larned; and the next night sixty-five miles more to Fort
Hays. Altogether I had ridden (and walked) 355 miles in fifty-eight
riding hours, or an average of over six miles an hour. Of course, this
may not be regarded as very fast riding, but taking into consideration
the fact that it was mostly done in the night and over a wild country,
with no roads to follow, and that I had to be continually on the look out
for Indians, it was thought at the time to be a big ride, as well as a
most dangerous one.

CHAPTER XVII.

AN APPOINTMENT.

General Sheridan highly complimented me for what I had done, and informed
me that I need not report back to General Hazen, as he had more important
work for me to do. He told me that the Fifth Cavalry--one of the finest
regiments in the army--was on its way to the Department of the Missouri,
and that he was going to send it on an expedition against the Dog Soldier
Indians, who were infesting the Republican River region.

"Cody," continued he, "I have decided to appoint you as guide and chief
of scouts with the command. How does that suit you?"

"First-rate, General, and I thank you for the honor," I replied, as
gracefully as I knew how.

The Dog Soldier Indians were a band of Cheyennes and unruly, turbulent
members of other tribes, who would not enter into any treaty, or keep a
treaty if they made one, and who had always refused to go upon a
reservation. They were a warlike body of well-built, daring and restless
braves, and were determined to hold possession of the country in the
vicinity of the Republican and Solomon Rivers. They were called "Dog
Soldiers" because they were principally Cheyennes--a name derived from
the French _chien_, a dog.

After my conversation with the General, I went over to Hays City, where I
met some of General Forsyth's scouts, who had just returned from one of
the severest battles ever fought with the Indians. As it will not be out
of place in this connection, I will here give a brief history of that
memorable event.

[Illustration: GENERAL PHIL. SHERIDAN.]

The Indians had become quite troublesome, and General Sheridan had
selected General George A. Forsyth to go out on an expedition, and
punish them for their recent depredations. There was a scarcity of troops
at Fort Hays at that time, so Gener