In the gathering dusk his face looked white and drawn, and old
Wilkins, breasting his way up the slope, puffed hard, as he begged for
news. There was still another despatch, however, which was evidently
adding to the major's perturbation, for it concerned him personally and
for the moment Wilkins went unheard.
The general desires that you send the couriers back within
twenty-four hours of their arrival, after you have had time to
scout the line of the Platte say twenty miles each way, giving full
report of every Indian seen or heard of. He enjoins vigilance and
hopes to keep the Sioux so busy that they can send no more in your
direction. Should they do so, however, he will pursue at once. He
trusts that you are doing everything possible to comfort and
reassure Mrs. Hay, and that you can send good news of Lieutenant
Field.
And this when he had just refused to remove the sentries or to visit
Mrs. Hay:--this when he had just been told by Dr. Waller that Lieutenant
Field was distinctly worse.
"He is simply fretting his heart out here," were the doctor's words to
him but a short time before, "and, while unable to mount a horse, he is
quite strong enough now to take the trip by ambulance, slowly, that is,
to Rock Springs.
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