know if there were any soldiers with the herd, and my reply was that there were.  Thereupon the chiefs held a consultation, and presently Satanta asked me if General Hazen had really said that they should have the cattle.  I replied in the affirmative, and added that I had been directed to bring the cattle to them.  I followed this up with a very dignified inquiry, asking why his young men had treated me so.  The old wretch intimated that it was only “a freak of the boys”; that the young men had wanted to see if I was brave; in fact, they had only meant to test my bravery, and that the whole thing was a joke.

The veteran liar was now beating me at my own game of lying; but I was very glad of it, as it was in my favor.  I did not let him suspect that I doubted his veracity, but I remarked that it was a rough way to treat friends.  He immediately ordered his young men to give me back my arms, and scolded them for what they had done.  Of course, the sly old dog was now playing it very fine, as he was anxious to get possession of the cattle, with which he believed “there was a heap of soldiers coming.”  He had concluded it was not best to fight the soldiers if he could get the cattle peaceably.

Another council was held by the chiefs, and in a few minutes old Satanta came and asked me if I would go over and bring the cattle down to the opposite side of the river, so that they could get them.  I replied, “Of course; that’s my instruction from General Hazen.”

Satanta said I must not feel angry at his young men, for they had only been acting in fun.  He then inquired if I wished any of his men to accompany me to the cattle herd.  I replied that it would be better for me to go alone, and then the soldiers could keep right on to Fort Larned, while I could drive the herd down on the bottom.  So, wheeling my mule around, I was soon re-crossing the river, leaving old Satanta in the firm belief that I had told him a straight story, and was going for the cattle, which only existed in my imagination.

I hardly knew what to do, but thought that if I could get the river between the Indians and myself I would have a good three-quarters of a mile the start of them, and could then make a run for Fort Larned, as my mule was a good one.

Thus far my cattle story had panned out all right; but just as I reached the opposite bank of the river, I looked behind and saw that ten or fifteen Indians who had begun to suspect something crooked, were following me.  The moment that my mule secured a good foothold on the bank, I urged him into a gentle lope towards the place where, according to my statement, the cattle were to be brought.  Upon reaching a little ridge, and riding down the other side out of view, I turned my mule and headed him westward for Fort Larned.  I let him out for all that he was worth, and when I came out on a little rise of ground, I looked back, and saw the Indian village in plain sight.  My pursuers were now on the ridge which I had passed over, and were looking for me in every direction.