For instance, a white soldier would call out: "Post No.

I, half-past nine o'clock, all is well!" The Indian standing next to him knew that he was bound to say something in English, and he would sing out something like the following: "Poss number half pass five cents--go to -- --! I don't care!" This system was really so ridiculous and amusing that the General had to give it up, and the order was accordingly countermanded.
Nothing of any great interest occurred on this march, until one day, while proceeding up Prairie Dog Creek,[D] Major North and myself went out in advance of the command several miles and killed a number of buffaloes.
Night was approaching, and I began to look around for a suitable camping ground for the command.

Major North dismounted from his horse and was resting, while I rode down to the stream to see if there was plenty of grass in the vicinity.

I found an excellent camping spot, and returning to Major North told him that I would ride over the hill a little way, so that the advance guard could see me.

This I did, and when the advance came in sight I dismounted and laid down upon the grass to rest.
[Footnote D: Near the lonely camp where I had so long been laid up with a broken leg, when trapping years before with Dave Harrington.] Suddenly I heard three or four shots, and in a few moments Major North came dashing up towards me, pursued by eight or ten Indians.