There is some kind of excitement here every day - some pleasant, some
otherwise - usually otherwise. The mail escort and wagon are here two
nights during the week, one on the way to Fort Dodge, the other on the
return trip, so we hear the little bits of gossip from each garrison.
The long trains of army wagons drawn by mules that carry stores to the
post always camp near us one night, because of the water.
But the most exciting times are when the big ox trains come along that
are taking oats and corn to the quartermaster for the cavalry horses
and mules, for in these sacks of grain there is ever a possibility of
liquor being found. The sergeant carefully punches the sacks from one
end to the other with a long steel very much like a rifle rammer; but
so far not a thing has been found, but this is undoubtedly because
they know what to expect at this place now. Faye is always present at
the inspection, and once I watched it a short distance away.
When there are camps outside I always feel a little more protected
from the Indians. I am kept awake hours every night by my
uncontrollable fear of their getting on top of the parapet and cutting
holes in the canvas over our very heads and getting into the room that
way. A sentry is supposed to walk around the top every few minutes,
but I have very little confidence in his protection. I really rely
upon Hal more than the sentry to give warning, for that dog can hear
the stealthy step of an Indian when a long distance from him. And I
believe he can smell them, too.
We bought a beautiful buffalo-calf robe for a bed for him, and that
night I folded it down nicely and called him to it, thinking he would
be delighted with so soft and warm a bed. But no! He went to it
because I called him and patted it, but put one foot on it he would
not. He gave a little growl, and putting his tail up, walked away with
great dignity and a look of having been insulted.
Of course the skin smelled strong of the tepee and Indians. We sunned
and aired it for days, and Farrar rubbed the fur with camphor and
other things to destroy the Indian odor, and after much persuading and
any amount of patience on our part, Hal finally condescended to use
the robe. He now considers it the finest thing on earth, and keeps
close watch of it at all times.
We have visits from Indians every day, and this variation from the
monotony is not agreeable to me, but Faye goes out and has long
powwows with them. They do not hesitate to ask for things, and the
more you give the more you may.
