musketeer Corporal--"d'Artagnon"--sprang at it with a relish-- He had heard, and been the object--of much of the abuse of these scolding viragos-- The ranch was thoroughly searched--the "rough-neck" women offering no resistance except with their bitter tongues which shot off the vilest sort of "_Billings gate_"-- It was without avail. The carbines were evidently concealed at some point distant from the house-- As we were about to leave--the women, unconquered--again spat out-- "If the 'old man' wuz heah he would lick you uns out o' yer boots". Here was a fine chance for another bluff. I walked up to them, and in my most impressive manner gave here this decisive Coup d'Etat-- "_If your old man doesn't deliver those carbines into Fort Richardson by 10 o'clock to-morrow morning--I will bring this same detachment out here with a raw hide lariat and hang him to that oak tree_"-- They had seen me ransack the ranch, they had known what that threat of hanging meant in the reconstruction days among the "bad men"--the "gun men" and desperadoes of the far South West-- They showed signs of wilting--and I departed, inwardly cursing the luck which had deserted me at the last moment and compelled me to make a raw bluff which I knew full well I could not carry out or enforce in view of Mackenzie's _most strenuous official objections_-- Land the Prisoners--The "Old Man" Makes Good Reaching Fort R---- in a few hours and reporting to Mackenzie the prisoners were "turned over"--and I was just seeking a shave, a hot bath--some good grub and a rest from the dreadful "wear and tear" of one of the most wearing and completely exhaustive duties I had ever performed, either during the Civil War or later, when Mackenzie sent for me-- I was still in a very dirty and bedraggled suit of citizen clothes-- I needed complete relaxation and rest from my week's gruelling trip--during which, with the exception of two nights, I had slept, or tried to sleep--"out in the open" in this howling icy "Norther"--and with much responsibility pressing upon me. "Ask the General to please excuse me until I shave, wash, and change my clothes"-- Word came back at once-- "Tell him that Gen. Hardie is here and wishes to see him particularly. Never mind his personal appearance--come now just as he is"! It was virtually an order-- So I went but in a condition of wilted militarism. Mackenzie opened up with a most cordial introduction to Gen. H---- and the remark: "Gen. Hardie, I want you to see what my officers of _Civil War record_" (I inwardly grew profane) "can accomplish when they are sent out in weather like this to get results under merely '_verbal instructions_', and acting alone under their own initiative, good judgment and discretion-- He has done far more than I expected of him and I am extremely gratified". He continued with profuse congratulations, thanks and personal commendations. "Congratulations"--"Thanks"--"Special Commendations," Etc.--A Soothing Balm (?)