GENERAL GEORGE A. CUSTER.



remark, uttered in a whisper, "Me told you so;" and sure
enough, looking in the direction indicated, were to be seen the
embers of a wasted fire, scarcely a handful, yet enough to prove
that our guide was right, and to cause us to feel the greater
confidence in him. The discovery of these few coals of 'fire
produced almost breathless excitement. The distance from
where we stood was from seventy-five to a hundred yards, not
in the line of our nmarch, but directly to our left, in the edge
of the timber. We knew at once that none but TIndians, and
they hostile, had built that fire. Where were they at that
moment ? Perhaps sleeping in the vicinity of the fire.
   It was almost certain to our minds that the Indians we had
been pursuing were the builders of the fire. Were they still there
and asleep? We were too near already to attempt to withdraw
undiscovered. Our only course was to determine the facts at
once, and be prepared for the worst. I called for a few volun-
teers to quietly approach the fire and discover whether there
were Indians in the vicinity; if not, to gather such information
as was obtainable, as to their numnbers and departure. All the
Osages, and a few of the scouts quickly dismounted, and with
rifles in readiness and fingers onl the triggers, silently made
their way to the nearest point of the timber, Little Beaver and
Hard Rope leading the way. After they had disappeared in
the timber, they still had to pass over more than half the dis-
tance, before reaching the fire. These moments seemed like
hours, and those of us wRo were left sitting on our horses, in
the open moonlight, and within easy range from the spot where
the fire was located, felt anything but comfortable during this
suspense. If Indians, as then seemed highly probable, were
sleeping around the fire, our scouts would arouse them and we
would be in a fair way to be picked off without being in a posi-
tion to defend ourselves. The matter was soon determined.
Our scouts soon arrived at the fire, and discovered it to be
deserted. Again did the skill and knowledge of our Indian
allies come in play. Had they not been with us, we should



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