Instantly his hand went up in a gesture of caution and he hurriedly made his cautious way back to where Custer sat his horse waiting.
"What is it?
What did you see ?" "Heap Injuns down there!" The General swung down from his saddle, motioned the Sergeant to follow, and the two men crept to the crest and looked over.

The dim moonlight was confusing, while the shadow of timber rendered everything indistinct.

Yet they were able to make out a herd of ponies, distinguished the distant bark of a dog and the tinkle of a bell.
Without question this was the Indians' winter camp, and they had reached it undiscovered.

Custer glanced at his watch--the hour was past midnight.

He pressed Hamlin's sleeve, his lips close to the Sergeant's ear.
"Creep back, and bring my officers up here," he whispered.