In his desolate wilderness home the young ensign seems to have lost his heart to a handsome young squaw living in the vicinity of the fort.

On May 27 she visited him and begged him to accompany her on a mission of mercy--to help to save the life of a sick Indian woman.

Having acted as physician to the Indians on former occasions, Holmes thought the request a natural one.

The young squaw led him to the Indian village, pointed out the wigwam where the woman was supposed to be, and then left him.

As he was about to enter the wigwam two musket-shots rang out, and he fell dead.