Twenty Pawnees that circled around one herd of buffaloes killed only
twenty-two, and when the next herd came in view Will asked Major North
to keep the Indians in the background while he showed them a thing
or two. Buckskin Joe was a capital buffalo-hunter, and so well did he
perform his part that Will brought down thirty-six, about one at every
shot.

The Pawnees were delighted. They held it considerable of an achievement
to kill two or three of the monarchs of the plains at a single run, and
Will's feat dazzled them. He was at once pronounced a great chief, and
ever after occupied a high place in their regard.

Moving up the Republican River, the troops went into camp on Black Tail
Deer Fork. Scarcely were the tents pitched when a band of Indians were
seen sweeping toward them at full speed, singing, yelling, and waving
lances. The camp was alive in an instant, but the Pawnees, instead
of preparing for defense, began to sing and yell in unison with the
advancing braves. "Those are some of our own Indians," said Major North;
"they've had a fight, and are bringing in the scalps."

And so it proved. The Pawnees reported a skirmish with the Sioux, in
which a few of the latter had been killed.

The next day the regiment set forth upon the trail of the Sioux. They
traveled rapidly, and plainly gained ground.

At every camp the print of a woman's shoe was noted among the tracks
of moccasined feet. The band evidently had a white captive in tow, and
General Carr, selecting the best horses, ordered a forced march, the