personal memoirs-2-第56章
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her; but the startled cubs running into full view; he killed one at
the first shot and at the second wounded the other。 This terribly
enraged the mother; and she now came boldly out to fight; exposing
herself in the open ground so much as to permit a shot; that brought
her down too; with a broken shoulder。 Then the Indians and I;
growing very brave; scrambled down totake part in the fight。 It
was left for me to despatch the wounded cub and mother; and having
recovered possession of my nerves; I did the work effectively; and we
carried off with us the skins of the three animals as trophies of the
hunt and evidence of our prowess。
As good luck would have it; when we reached Buford we found a
steamboat there unloading stores; and learned that it would be ready
to start down the river the next day。 Embarking on her; we got to
Stevenson in a few hours; and finding at the post camp equipage that
had been made ready for our use in crossing overland to Fort Totten;
we set out the following forenoon; taking with us a small escort of
infantry; transported in two light wagons; a couple of Mandans and
the post interpreter going along as mounted guides。
To reach water we had to march the first day to a small lake forty
miles off; and the oppressive heat; together with the long distance
traveled; used up one of the teams so much that; when about to start
out the second morning; we found the animals unable to go on with any
prospect of finishing the trip; so I ordered them to be rested forty…
eight hours longer; and then taken back to Stevenson。 This
diminished the escort by one…half; yet by keeping the Indians and
interpreter on the lookout; and seeing that our ambulance was kept
closed up on the wagon carrying the rest of the detachment; we could;
I thought; stand off any ordinary party of hostile Indians。
About noon I observed that the scouts in advance had left the trail
and begun to reconnoitre a low ridge to their right; the sequel of
which was that in a few minutes they returned to the wagons on a dead
run and reported Sioux just ahead。 Looking in the direction
indicated; I could dimly see five or six horsemen riding in a circle;
as Indians do when giving warning to their camp; but as our halt
disclosed that we were aware of their proximity; they darted back
again behind the crest of the ridge。 Anticipating from this move an
immediate attack; we hastily prepared for it by unhooking the mules
from the wagon and ambulance; so that we could use the vehicles as a
barricade。 This done; I told the interpreter to take the Mandan
scouts and go over toward the ridge and reconnoitre again。 As the
scouts neared the crest two of them dismounted; and; crawling slowly
on their bellies to the summit; took a hasty look and returned at
once to their horses; coming back with word that in the valley beyond
was a camp of at least a hundred Sioux lodges; and that the Indians
were hurriedly getting ready to attack us。 The news was anything but
cheering; for with a village of that size the warriors would number
two or three hundred; and could assail us from every side。
Still; nothing could be done; but stand and take what was to come;
for there was no chance of escapeit being supreme folly to
undertake in wagons a race with Indians to Fort Stevenson; sixty
miles away。 To make the best of the situation; we unloaded the
baggage; distributing and adjusting the trunks; rolls of bedding;
crackerboxes; and everything else that would stop a bullet; in such
manner as to form a square barricade; two sides of which were the
wagons; with the mules haltered to the wheels。 Every man then
supplied himself with all the ammunition he could carry; and the
Mandan scouts setting up the depressing wail of the Indian death…
song; we all awaited the attack with the courage of despair。
But no attack came; and time slipping by; and we still unmolested;
the interpreter and scouts were sent out to make another
reconnoissance。 Going through just such precautions as before in
approaching the ridge; their slow progress kept us in painful
suspense; but when they got to the crest the strain on our herves was
relieved by seeing them first stand up boldly at full height; and
then descend beyond。 Quickly returning; they brought welcome word
that the whole thing was a mistake; and no Sioux were there at all。
What had been taken for a hundred Indian lodges turned out to be the
camp of a Government train on its way to Fort Stevenson; and the
officer in charge seeing the scouts before they discovered him; and
believing them to be Sioux; had sent out to bring his herds in。 It
would be hard to exaggerate the relief that this discovery gave us;
and we all breathed much easier。 The scare was a bad one; and I have
no hesitation in saying that; had we been mounted; it is more than
likely that; instead of showing fight; we would have taken up a
lively pace for Fort Stevenson。
After reciprocal explanations with the officer in charge of the
train; the march was resumed; and at the close of that day we camped
near a small lake about twenty miles from Fort Totten。 From Totten
we journeyed on to Fort Abercrombie。 The country between the two
posts is low and flat; and I verily believe was then the favorite
abiding…place of the mosquito; no matter where he most loves to dwell
now; for myriads of the pests rose up out of the tall rank grass
more than I ever saw before or sinceand viciously attacked both men
and animals。 We ourselves were somewhat protected by gloves and
head…nets; provided us before leaving Totten; but notwithstanding
these our sufferings were well…nigh intolerable; the annoyance that
the poor mules experienced must; therefore; have been extreme;
indeed; they were so terribly stung that the blood fairly trickled
down their sides。 Unluckily; we had to camp for one night in this
region; but we partly evaded the ravenous things by banking up our
tent walls with earth; and then; before turning in; sweeping and
smoking out such as had got inside。 Yet with all this there seemed
hundreds left to sing and sting throughout the night。 The mules
being without protection; we tried hard to save them from the vicious
insects by creating a dense smoke from a circle of smothered fires;
within which chain the grateful brutes gladly stood; but this relief
was only partial; so the moment there was light enough to enable us
to hook up we pulled out for Abercrombie in hot haste。
》From Abercrombie we drove on to Saint Cloud; the terminus of the
railroad; where; considerably the worse for our hurried trip and
truly wretched experience with the mosquitoes; we boarded the welcome
cars。 Two days later we arrived in Chicago; and having meanwhile
received word from General Sherman that there would be no objection
to my going to Europe; I began making arrangements to leave; securing
passage by the steamship Scotia。
President Grant invited me to come to see him at Long Branch before I
should sail; and during my brief visit there he asked which army I
wished to accompany; the German or the French。 I told him the
German; for the reason that I thought more could be seen with the
successful side; and that the indications pointed to the defeat of
the French。 My choice evidently pleased him greatly; as he had the
utmost contempt for Louis Napoleon; and had always denounced him as a
usurper and a charlatan。 Before we separated; the President gave me
the following letter to the representatives of our Government abroad;
and with it I not only had no trouble in obtaining permission to go
with the Germans; but was specially favored by being invited to
accompany the headquarters of the King of Prussia:
〃LONG BRANCH; N。 J。; July 25; 1870。
〃Lieutenant…General P。 H。 Sheridan; of the United State Army; is
authorized to visit Europe; to return at his own pleasure; unless
otherwise ordered。 He is commended to the good offices