The man started off on a gallop, and Lieutenant Ward said: "We will march slowly back until we meet the troops, as I think the General will soon be here, for he will start immediately upon receiving my note." In a few minutes we heard two or three shots in the direction in which our dispatch courier had gone, and soon after we saw him come flying around the bend of the creek, pursued by four or five Indians.

The Lieutenant, with his squad of soldiers and myself, at once charged upon them, when they turned and ran across the stream.
"This will not do," said Lieutenant Ward, "the whole Indian village will now know that soldiers are near by.
"Lieutenant, give me that note, and I will take it to the General," said I.
He gladly handed me the dispatch, and spurring my horse I dashed up the creek.

After having ridden a short distance, I observed another party of Indians also going to the village with meat; but instead of waiting for them to fire upon me, I gave them a shot at long range.

Seeing one man firing at them so boldly, it surprised them, and they did not know what to make of it.

While they were thus considering, I got between them and our camp.