Captain Smith opened his mouth to speak, but changed his mind. Wild Bill noted the captain’s hesitation and resolved to give him an opportunity to relieve his mind. After the game had ended Hickok approached Captain Smith, and said: “What sort of country is it west of here? Looks like quite a sizable cañon dead west.” “Yes, that’s the Big Horn range, and it’s a picturesque country as far as I’ve been. That is called Carvel’s Cañon, I think. Just now the foothills are swarming with Indians.” “Crows?” “Mostly; but Olgallalas, Poncas, Otoes, and Cheyennes are too plentiful for comfort. They are traveling in strong parties during the last few months, and it is a hopeless case for the settlers wherever they go. A cattleman with a few cowboys and good rifles can stand off the small parties, but these war parties are out for scalps and plunder, and they will never be quiet until they are given an everlasting licking.” “What do you say to a canter out toward the cañon, to see what we may see?” “It would suit me first-rate, if the general doesn’t object. He is short of men now, and the supply train, which is accompanied by fifty men, is five days late.” “Have to turn to buffalo meat pretty soon, eh?” “It looks that way now, and the general is getting uneasy about the men with the train, as well as the supplies. He may ask you and Cody to investigate if it doesn’t show up pretty soon. And, by the way, Hickok, would it be impertinent for me to ask what your mission is here?” “Certainly not,” answered Wild Bill suavely. “We are making for Fort Leavenworth, and Colonel Cody thought he would look over the forces at the different forts and see how they compare, according to the districts they are in and an experienced Indian fighter’s notion of the places that would require the stronger forces. Of course you know that back in the States there is a good deal of criticism concerning the disposal of the frontier troops. Some blame the war department and some the interior department for the stand they take in opposition to each other. I shouldn’t like to have you make any talk about the object of our visit, of course, but I don’t mind telling you privately.” Captain Smith felt flattered by the scout’s apparent confidence and became somewhat loquacious. The general in command asked both to use exceeding caution and to take no chances. He should prefer if they were going simply for a gallop that they should proceed along the route to the southeast, from which direction he was momentarily expecting the supply train and escort. If the Indians should discover and capture this train it would mean disaster for the fort, as the quantity of ammunition now on hand was small. It was a pleasing day for a canter, if there were no necessity of a constant study of the surroundings for signs of the treacherous reds.