But the major sought to block that morning ride in vain. The impetuous
will of the younger soldier prevailed, as he might have known it would,
and from the rear gallery of his quarters, with his strong fieldglass,
Major Webb watched the pair fording the Platte far up beyond Pyramid
Butte. "Going over to that damned Sioux village again," he swore
between his set teeth. "That makes the third time she's headed him there
this week," and with strange annoyance at heart he turned away to seek
comfort in council with his stanch henchman, Captain Ray, when the
orderly came bounding up the steps with a telegraphic despatch which the
major opened, read, turned a shade grayer and whistled low.
"My compliments to Captains Blake and Ray," said he, to the silent young
soldier, standing attention at the doorstep, "and say I should be glad
to see them here at once."
That night the sentries had just called off half past one when there was
some commotion at the guard-house. A courier had ridden in post haste
from the outlying station of Fort Beecher, far up under the lee of the
Big Horn range. The corporal of the guard took charge of his reeking
horse, while the sergeant led the messenger to the commander's quarters.
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