This led straight away into the south across the valley of the Canadian, on to the plains beyond.  The snow here was a foot deep on a level, and in places the going was heavy.  As they advanced, the weather moderated somewhat, and the upper crust became soft.  Before them stretched the dreary level of the plains, broken by occasional ravines and little isolated patches of trees.  No sign of Indians was seen other than the-deserted trail, and confident that the band had had fully twenty-four hours’ start their pursuers advanced as rapidly as the ground would permit.  The very clearness of the trail was evidence that the Indians had no conception that they were being followed.  Confident of safety in their winter retreat, they were making no effort to protect their rear, never dreaming there were soldiers within hundreds of miles.  Whatever report Dupont had made, it had awakened no alarm.  Why should it?  So far as he knew there were but two men pursuing him into the wilderness, and both of these he believed lying dead in the snow.

Steadily, mile after mile, they rode, and it was after dark when the little column was finally halted beside a stream, where they could safely hide themselves in a patch of timber.  Tiny fires were built under protection of the steep banks of the creek, and the men made coffee, and fed their hungry horses.  The silence was profound.  It was a dark night, although the surrounding snow plains yielded a spectral light.  Major Elliott, drinking coffee and munching hard-tack with the troop captain, sent for Sergeant Hamlin.

The latter advanced within the glow of the fire, and saluted.

“We have been gaining on those fellows, Sergeant,” the Major began, “and must be drawing close to the Washita.”

“We are travelling faster than they did, sir,” was the reply, “because they had to break trail, and there were some women and children with them.  I have no knowledge of this region, but the creek empties into the Washita without doubt.”

“That would be my judgment.  Sparling and I were just talking it over.  I shall wait here until Custer comes up; my force is too small to attack openly, and my orders are not to bring on an engagement.  Custer has some Osage scouts with him who will know this country.”

“But, Major,” ventured Hamlin, “if the General follows our trail it will be hours yet before he can reach here, and then his men will be completely exhausted.”

“He will not follow our trail.  He has Corbin and ‘California Joe’ with him.  They are plainsmen who know their business.  He ’ll cross the Canadian, and strike out across the plains to intercept us.  In that way he will have no farther to travel than we have had.  In my judgment we shall not wait here long alone.  Have you eaten?”

“No, sir; I have been stationing the guard.”

“Then sit down here and share what little we have.  We can waive formality to-night.”