other party of redskins would swoop down
and gobble up the remnant left at the post."

"If I were you, Master Sandy," said his brother, "I wouldn't worry
about the soldiers. Uncle Sam built this fort, and there are lots of
others like it. I don't know for sure, but my impression is that Uncle
Sam knows what is best for the use of the military and for the defence
of the frontier. So let's go and take a look at the sutler's store. I
want to buy some letter-paper."

The sutler, in those days, was a very important person in the
estimation of the soldiers of a frontier post. Under a license from
the War Department of the Government, he kept a store in which was
everything that the people at the post could possibly need. Crowded
into the long building of the Fort Riley sutler were dry-goods,
groceries, hardware, boots and shoes, window-glass, rope and twine,
and even candy of a very poor sort. Hanging from the ceiling of this
queer warehouse were sides of smoked meat, strings of onions, oilcloth
suits, and other things that were designed for the comfort or
convenience of the officers and soldiers, and were not provided by
the Government.

"I wonder what soldiers want of calico and ribbons," whispered Sandy,
with a suppressed giggle, as the three lads went prying about.

"Officers and soldiers have their wives and children here, you
greeny," said his brother, sharply. "Look out there and see 'em."

And, sure enough, as Sandy's eyes followed the direction of his
brother's, he saw two prettily dressed ladies and a group of children
walking over the smooth turf that filled the square in the midst of
the fort. It gave Sandy a homesick feeling, this sight of a home in
the wilderness. Here were families of grown people and children,
living apart from the rest of the world. They had been here long
before the echo of civil strife in Kansas had reached the Eastern
States, and before the first wave of emigration had touched the
head-waters of the Kaw. Here they were, a community by themselves,
uncaring, apparently, whether slavery was voted up or down. At least,
some such thought as this flitted through Sandy's mind as he looked
out upon the leisurely life of the fort, just beginning to stir.

All along the outer margin of the reservation were grouped the camps
of emigrants; not many of them, but enough to present a curious and
picturesque sight. There were a few tents, but most of the emigrants
slept in or under their wagons. Th