Neither could see good in the other and, egged on by his worthy
spouse's exhortations, the quartermaster had seized the opportunity to
fill the post commander's too receptive mind with all his own
suspicions--and this at a crucial time.
"I can't listen to it, Dr. Waller," said the major, sternly. "Here's a
matter of near a thousand dollars that young man has got to answer for
the moment he is well enough to stir. And if he can't account for
it--you well know what my duty will demand."
CHAPTER XIX
A SLAP FOR THE MAJOR
The columns of Colonel Henry and Major Webb, as said "the Chief," had
united, and here were two men who could be counted on to push the
pursuit "for all they were worth." Hitherto, acting in the open country
and free from encumbrance, the Indians had been hard to reach. Now they
were being driven into their fastnesses among the mountains toward the
distant shelter whither their few wounded had been conveyed, and where
the old men, the women and children were in hiding. Now it meant that,
unless the troops could be confronted and thrown back, another transfer
of tepees and _travois_, ponies and dogs, wounded and aged would have to
be made. Lame Wolf had thought his people safe behind the walls of the
Big Horn and the shifting screen of warriors along the foothills, but
the blue skirmish lines pushed steadily on into the fringing pines,
driving the feathered braves from ridge to ridge, and Lame Wolf had
sense enough to see that here were leaders that "meant business" and
would not be held.
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