The fact of
my having been at a military post when it was attacked by
Indians - that a man was murdered directly under my window, when I
heard every shot, every moan - and my having had two unpleasant
experiences with horse thieves, has not been conducive to normal
nerves after dark.
During all the commotion at Mrs. Norton's the night the man got in her
house, her Chinaman did not appear. One of the officers went to his
room in search of the burglar and found him - the Chinaman - sitting up
in his bed, almost white from fear. He confessed to having heard some
one in the kitchen, and when asked why he did not go out to see who it
was, indignantly replied, "What for? - he go way, what for I see him?"
I feel completely upset without a good saddle horse. George is
developing quite a little speed in single harness, but I do not care
for driving - feel too much as though I was part of the little buggy
instead of the horse. Major and Mrs. Stokes are expected soon from the
East, and I shall be so glad to have my old neighbors back.
CAMP ON BIRCH CREEK, NEAR PIEGAN AGENCY, MONTANA TERRITORY,
September, 1882.
BY this time you must have become accustomed to getting letters from
all sorts of out-of-the-way places, therefore I will not weary you
with long explanations, but simply say that Major Stokes and Faye sent
for Mrs. Stokes and me to come to camp, thinking to give us a pleasant
little outing. We came over with the paymaster and his escort. Major
Carpenter seemed delighted to have us with him, and naturally Mrs.
Stokes and I were in a humor to enjoy everything. We brought a nice
little luncheon with us for everybody - that is, everyone in the
ambulance. The escort of enlisted men were in a wagon back of us, but
the officer in charge was with us.
The Indians have quieted down, and several of the officers have gone
on leave, so with the two companies now here there are only Major
Stokes, who is in command, Faye, Lieutenant Todd, and Doctor Norton.
Mrs. Stokes has seen much of camp life, and enjoys it now and then as
much as I do. The importance of our husbands as hosts - their many
efforts to make us comfortable and entertain us - is amusing, yet very
lovely. They give us no rest whatever, but as soon as we return from
one little excursion another is immediately proposed. There is a
little spring wagon in camp with two seats, and there are two fine
mules to pull it, and with this really comfortable turn-out we drive
about the country. Major Stokes is military inspector of supplies at
this agency, and every Piegan knows him, so when we meet Indians, as
we do often, there is always a powwow.
