It took Sergeant Whitley back to earlier days.
He was riding once more with his command over the great plains, and the foe they sought was a Cheyenne or Sioux band.

Here, they needed him and his wilderness lore, and he felt that a full use for them all would come.
The mountaineer now led them on rapidly, but the snow was increasing with equal rapidity.

Fortunately, the road through the pass was level enough to provide good footing for the horses, and they proceeded without fear of falls.

Soon the entire column turned into a white procession.
Men and horses alike were covered with snow, but, after their first chill, the hardy young riders began to like it.

They sang one of their marching songs, and the colonel made no effort to restrain them, knowing that it was raising their spirits.
"It's all rather picturesque," said Warner, when the song was over, "but it'll be a good thing when Reed leads us into one of those heavenly coves that he talks so much about.