there might be grounds for the fear, but he added that he was doing
all he could to guard against it. At Mickey's suggestion, he sent two
of his most trustworthy men to the woods to keep watch, while a third
was stationed on some elevated ground beyond, where he commanded an
extensive view of the surrounding prairie. As this was to be a
permanent arrangement, it would seem that he had taken all reasonable
precautions. Not a suspicious sign was seen through the day.

When night came, the two men were called in, and Mickey O'Rooney, Fred
Munson, and a man named Thompson went on duty. As two was the regular
number at night, it will be seen that the boy was an extra.

"We're to come in at one o'clock," he said, in reply to the
remonstrance of his friend, "and I'm sure I can keep awake that long.
I believe the Indians will be around to-night, and I won't be able to
sleep if I go into the wagon."

Mickey had not yet learned how to refuse the boy, and so he took him
along.

Thompson was a powerful, stalwart man, who had joined the party in
Nebraska, and who was supposed to have considerable knowledge of the
frontier and its ways. He had proved himself a good shot, and, on
more than one occasion, had displayed such coolness and
self-possession in critical moments, that he was counted one of the
most valuable men in the entire company.

The sentinels were stationed on the other side of the wood, Mickey at
one corner, Thompson at another, with Fred about half way between,
something like a hundred yards separating them from each other.