"Very well," said General Ashley. "Corporal Andrew Henry (that was Tom Scott) and Second-class Scout Jed Smith (that was Dick Smith) will go back a quarter of a mile and picket the trail until relieved; the rest of us will proceed with camp duties." Major Henry and little Jed Smith set off. We finished establishing camp. Two holes were dug for camp refuse; that was my business. Places for the beds were cleared of sticks and things; that was Kit Carson's business. General Ashley chopped a cedar stump for wood (cedar burns without soot, you know); and Fitzpatrick cooked. The burros had been unpacked and the flags planted before Fitzpatrick and I came in. We had to picket the burros out, to graze, at first, or they might have gone back to town. Of course, as we were short-handed, we had to do Henry's and Smith's work, to-night, too: spread the beds before dark and bring water and such things. (Note 14.) For supper we had bacon and two cans of the beans and biscuits baked in a reflector, and coffee. (Note 15.) Major Henry and Jed Smith were not getting any supper yet, because they were still on picket duty. But when we were through General Ashley said, "Kit Carson, you and Jim Bridger relieve Henry and Smith, and tell them to come in to supper." But just as we stood, to start, Major Henry walked in amongst us. He was excited, and puffing, and he almost forgot to salute General Ashley, who was Patrol leader. "They're planning to come!" he puffed. "I sneaked close to them and heard 'em talking!" "Is this meant for a report?" asked General Ashley. And we others snickered. It wasn't the right way to make a report. "Yes, sir," answered Henry. "That is, I reconnoitered the enemy's camp, sir, and they're talking about us." "What did you hear?" "They're going to rush us when we're asleep, and scare us." "Very well," said General Ashley. "But you weren't ordered to do that. You left your post, sir." "I thought you'd like to know. They didn't hear me," stammered Major Henry. "You'd no business to go, just the same. Orders are orders. Where is Smith?" "Watching on picket." "Did he go, too?" "No, sir." "You exceeded orders, and you ought to be court-martialed," said General Ashley. And he was right, too. "But I'll give you another chance. When is the enemy going to attack?" "After we're asleep." "What is he doing now?" "Eating and smoking and waiting, down the trail." "You can have some coffee and beans and bread, while we hold council. Carson and Bridger can wait a minute." The council didn't take long. General Ashley's plan was splendid, a joke and a counter-attack in one. Major Henry ate as much as he could, but he wasn't filled up when he was sent out again, into the dark, with Kit Carson. They were ordered to tell Jed Smith to come in, but they were to go on. You'll see what happened. This double duty was Henry's punishment.