KIT CAREY TAKES THE TRAIL.
The body of Sitting Bull was carried to headquarters and decently
buried, and many a brave fellow who wore the Blue breathed more freely,
knowing well that in the grave lay at rest one whose thunder tones in
life would have led his people to their destruction triumphantly.
They knew also that the thirst to avenge their leader would not inflame
the hearts of his people, as his words, urging them to strike their
pale-face foes, would have done had he lived.
And while the cry went forth that he had been murdered, those dwellers
near the scene knew that it was better for all that Tatanka Yotanke was
on the long trail to the happy hunting grounds.
Kit Carey had reported in his modest way the scene that had occurred,
and was congratulated upon his coolness and courage in the affair.
Then he had asked for orders, and the general had said:
"Sit down, Lieutenant Carey, for I wish a talk with you."
Kit obeyed, and then came the question:
"Is it true that you know this country as well as do the Indians?"
"The Indians learn a country pretty well, general, better than a white
man does, for their instinct teaches them much; but years ago I
wandered over this part of the country a great deal, and with a guide
who knew every part of it, or so it seemed to me, and since I have
been in the army I have scouted through it at times under orders from
Colonel Crandall."
"Ah, yes; but you knew the country, you say, before you were in the
army?"
"Yes, sir, for I was a border boy."
"And who was this guide that you were with?"
"In a few words, general, he was an ex-army officer, whose name I am
not at liberty to give; but he met with misfortunes and sorrows, and
became a recluse, seeking a home in what was then the very heart of
the Indian country. He went South when the Civil War began, being a
Southerner, and one night when alone on the prairies a horse went into
his camp upon the back of which were two children, a boy and a girl. I
was the boy, and the young girl is now living with her adopted parents
in New York. We had escaped from a wagon-train, where people had been
massacred, and roamed into the camp of the one who from that day became
a father to me, taking me into the Confederate army with him as a boy
soldier."
"Your story interests me greatly, Lieutenant Carey--and the young
girl?" said the general.
"Was adopted by settlers, whose home we went to, and, as I said, is now
living in New York."
"And you?"
"Returned to the frontier with my adopted father, sir, who was known as
the hermit of the Black Hills."
"Ah! I have heard of him. He was killed by a renegade white man who
was a chief among the Sioux, I believe?"
"Yes, sir, and his death was avenged," was the significant response
of the young officer; and the words recalled to the general that he
had heard that Kit Carey was the avenger, and how his services to army
officers as a boy guide and scout had gotten him his cadetship to West
Point.
But to this he did not refer more than to say:
"Well, Lieutenant Carey, you are the very man I need for the work to be
done, and I shall wish you to hold yourself in readiness for duty, and
perilous duty it will be."
Kit bowed, and asked:
"Am I to go alone, sir, or with a force?"
"You are to pick your men from the Indian police, and I only hope and
believe they will not prove treacherous; but therein lies your danger,
should they do so, as great as it will be from the avowed hostiles.
Take as many as you deem necessary, only do not go over fifty men,
and your duty will be to know all that goes on in the hostile camps,
report the movements of bands, and all you can learn of what the
friendly Indians may do, for just now is the most critical time along
the frontier, and I have little faith in professions of friendship from
armed redskins. Start as soon as you can get ready, and report by your
Indian couriers to the officer nearest your position when you have any
news to send through of importance, while above all, Carey, be careful
of yourself, for you are not to be sacrificed, you know, only there is
no one to send who can do the work as you will, with all your border
experience."
"I shall be cautious, general, and my redskin soldiers will also be."
After a few minutes longer spent in conversation, Kit Carey bade the
general good-night, and in an hour more was off on his special service
of great danger, while behind him in single file rode thirty redskin
horsemen, Uncle Sam's Indian cavalry.