It is useless to say that we were taken in to dinner and our horses taken care of, and while at the dinner table I told the Lieutenant our business there.  I told him that I had come there with the intention of getting a position as chief of scouts, and that I would not accept a position unless my friend Mr. Jones could get a place with me.  He told me that he had no doubt but that we would both be able to get a position, as they had lost five scouts inside of the last month.

After dinner Lieut.  Jackson excused himself, and telling us to remain at his quarters until he returned, he took a walk to the General’s quarters.  He returned in about an hour, saying Gen. Crook wished to see us both at once at his quarters, and we, in company with the Lieutenant, walked over to the General’s tent, and to my astonishment, I was introduced as Capt.  Drannan.

The General’s orderly and the officer of the day were both in his room and he told them he wished to speak to us on private business, and they at once withdrew.  Then the General commenced to question me in regard to fighting Indians, and I did nothing for the next two hours but answer questions.

Like all other successful officers, he did not want any dead-heads around him, and I presume that is why Gen. Crook was such a successful Indian fighter.

He requested us to call at his quarters at nine o’clock the next morning, after which he called his orderly and told him to show us quarters for the night and also to care for our horses.  That evening while George was away looking after our horses I was taking a stroll around the fort, when by chance I met Gen. Crook taking his evening walk, and he asked me what I knew about this friend of mine.  I told how I had seen him tried on various occasions and that I had never seen any signs of his weakening yet.  I also told him that if I accepted a position as scout, I wanted George Jones with me, for I knew that I could depend on him under any and all circumstances.  The General told me that he had been having very hard luck this summer, having lost all his best scouts by their falling in the hands of the Apaches.  He also told me that he had one scout that fell into their hands and was burned at the stake.  The next morning at nine o’clock Jones and I were on hand at the General’s quarters.  The first question he asked me was on what conditions I wished to go to work and what I expected per month.  I told him that heretofore what scouting I had done I had gone as an independent scout, and that I would go to work under no other conditions.

He asked me what I meant by an independent scout.  I said I meant so much per month, rations for myself and horse, and all horses I captured from the Indians to be my own.  If I don’t suit you, you can tell me so and I will quit, and when you don’t suit me I will call for my money and quit at once.

He said that was fair enough, but I told him that I would not go to work under any consideration unless my friend Mr. Jones could have employment too.