"Yes, and when there are many more Indians made good in the same way this whole frontier will be the better for it. It is their nature to be savage, to rebel against restraint, and yet when they do unbury the hatchet they are not put down as they should be, with a lesson that will last them for all time, and which will do more to teach them civilization than anything else that can be done. The moment a redskin is killed certain humanitarians raise a howl of horror, not seeming to care how many officers and soldiers are slain, or the wives of settlers sacrificed, and their homes raided by these red wards of the Government; but, pardon me, I did not mean to speak so warmly upon a subject an officer, I suppose, has no right to discuss; but, mark my words, the killing of Sitting Bull will be denounced as cowardly, investigated, and wept over by people in the East, when, had his capture or death been delayed six hours longer, he would have led thousands of warriors into the field and deluged this whole borderland with the blood of settlers, their wives and children, not to speak of the soldiers," and Kit Carey wheeled on his heel and strode away, while the looks that passed between those who had heard his words showed that he had voiced the sentiments of those who understood the situation as it was. CHAPTER VII. KIT CAREY TAKES THE TRAIL. The body of Sitting Bull was carried to headquarters and decently buried, and many a brave fellow who wore the Blue breathed more freely, knowing well that in the grave lay at rest one whose thunder tones in life would have led his people to their destruction triumphantly. They knew also that the thirst to avenge their leader would not inflame the hearts of his people, as his words, urging them to strike their pale-face foes, would have done had he lived. And while the cry went forth that he had been murdered, those dwellers near the scene knew that it was better for all that Tatanka Yotanke was on the long trail to the happy hunting grounds. Kit Carey had reported in his modest way the scene that had occurred, and was congratulated upon his coolness and courage in the affair. Then he had asked for orders, and the general had said: "Sit down, Lieutenant Carey, for I wish a talk with you." Kit obeyed, and then came the question: "Is it true that you know this country as well as do the Indians?" "The Indians learn a country pretty well, general, better than a white man does, for their instinct teaches them much; but years ago I wandered over this part of the country a great deal, and with a guide who knew every part of it, or so it seemed to me, and since I have been in the army I have scouted through it at times under orders from Colonel Crandall." "Ah, yes; but you knew the country, you say, before you were in the army?" "Yes, sir, for I was a border boy." "And who was this guide that you were with?"