Page:Thirty-One Years on the Plains and in the Mountains.djvu/705

Rh "I have made this trip unnecessarily," said he, "for I had expected to find many little bands of Indians in

Some bands of bison scattered here and there.

this valley hunting, but in that I am disappointed." We then turned back for headquarters as quick as possible, making the entire trip without, seeing an Indian or even a sign of one.

Some time in June the Lieutenant started out in command of two companies of cavalry to cross the mountains to protect the emigrants, George Jones and I ahead with four assistants.

The Lieutent having told us where he would camp that night, it was the duty of the scouts to make a circuit of the camp before dark. On arriving at the appointed place, George and I started to make a tour of the camp, leaving the other scouts at the camping place. It was about sunset when we saw a band of Indians as we supposed about four miles from where we were to camp that night, and about one mile and a half from where we then were. We put spurs to our horses and headed for the Indian camp, as we were desirous of ascer-