I was also to accompany the bone-hunters, and would have done so had it not been for the fact that just at that time I was ordered out with a small scouting party to go after some Indians.
[Illustration: A RIDE FOR LIFE.] The day before the Professor arrived at the fort, I had been out hunting on the north side of the North Platte River, near Pawnee Springs, with several companions, when we were suddenly attacked by Indians, who wounded one of our number, John Weister.

We stood the Indians off for a little while, and Weister got even with them by killing one of their party.

The Indians, however, outnumbered us, and at last we were forced to make a run for our lives.

In this we succeeded, and reached the fort in safety.

The General wanted to have the Indians pursued, and said he could not spare me to accompany Professor Marsh.
However, I had the opportunity to make the acquaintance of the eminent Professor, whom I found to be not only a well-posted person but a very entertaining gentleman.