But nevertheless he made one feel that
it was not necessary for him to turn his head - that it was all eyes,
that he could see up and down and across and could read one's very
thoughts, too.
The Indian from whom we bought Powder-Face - his name is Dog, you will
remember - has found us out, and like a dog comes every day for
something to eat. He always walks right into the kitchen; if the door
is closed he opens it. If he is not given things he stands around with
the greatest patience, giving little grunts now and then, and watches
Farrar until the poor soldier becomes worn out and in self-defense
gives him something, knowing full well all the time that trouble is
being stored up for the next day. The Indian never seems cross, but
smiles at everything, which is most unusual in a savage.
With the white cavalry is a classmate of Faye's, Lieutenant Isham, and
yesterday I went but to camp with him and rode his horse, a large,
spirited animal. It was the horse's first experience with a side
saddle, and at first he objected to the habit and jumped around and
snorted quite a little, but he soon saw that I was really not a
dangerous person and quieted down.
As Lieutenant Isham and I were cantering along at a nice brisk gait we
met Faye, who was returning from the camp on Powder-Face, and it could
be plainly seen that he disapproved of my mount. But he would not turn
back with us, however, and we went on to camp without him. There is
something very fascinating about a military camp - it is always so
precise and trim - the little tents for the men pitched in long
straight lines, each one looking as though it had been given especial
attention, and with all things is the same military precision and
neatness. It was afternoon stables and we rode around to the picket
lines to watch the horses getting their grooming.
When I got home Faye was quick to tell me that I would certainly be
killed if I continued to ride every untrained horse that came along!
Not a very pleasant prospect for me; but I told him that I did not
want to mortify him and myself, too, by refusing to mount horses that
his own classmates, particularly those in the cavalry, asked me to
ride, and that I knew very well he would much prefer to see me on a
spirited animal than a "gentle ladies' horse" that any inexperienced
rider could manage. So we decided that the horse, after all, was not a
vicious beast, and I am to ride him again to-morrow.
Last evening we gave a delightful little dance in the hall in honor of
the officers and their wives who are to go, and the officers who have
come. We all wore our most becoming gowns, and anyone unacquainted
with army life on the frontier would have been surprised to see what
handsome dresses can be brought forth, even at this far-away post,
when occasion demands. There are two very pretty girls from the East
visiting in the garrison, and several of the wives of officers are
young and attractive, and the mingling of the pretty faces and
bright-colored dresses with the dark blue and gold of the uniforms
made a beautiful scene. It is not in the least surprising that girls
become so silly over brass buttons. Even the wives get silly over them
sometimes!
CAMP SUPPLY, INDIAN TERRITORY,
April, 1873.
IN the last mail Faye heard from his application for transfer to
another company, and the order will be issued as soon as the
lieutenant in that company has been promoted, which will be in a few
weeks. This will take us back to Fort Lyon with old friends, and Faye
to a company whose captain is a gentleman. He was one of Faye's
instructors at West Point.
I have a new horse - and a lively one, too - so lively that I have not
ridden him yet. He was a present from Lieutenant Isham, and the way in
which he happened to possess him makes a pretty little story. The
troop had been sent out on a scout, and was on its way back to the
post to be paid, when one evening this pony trotted into camp and at
once tried to be friendly with the cavalry horses, but the poor thing
was so frightfully hideous with its painted coat the horses would not
permit him to come near them for some time. But the men caught him and
brought him on to the stables, where there was trouble at once, for
almost every man in the troop claimed ownership. So it was finally
decided by the captain that as soon as the troop had been paid the
horse should be raffled, that each man in that one troop could have
the privilege of buying a chance at one dollar, and that the money
should go in the troop fund. This arrangement delighted the men, as it
promised something new in the way of a frolic.
In due time the paymaster arrived, the men were paid, and then in a
few minutes there was brisk business going on over at the quarters of
the troop! Every enlisted man in the troop - sergeants, corporals, and
privates, eighty-four in all - bought a chance, thus making a fine sum
for the fund. A private won the horse, of whom Lieutenant Isham
immediately bought him and presented him to me.
He is about fifteen hands high and not in the least of a pony build,
but is remarkably slender, with fine head and large intelligent eyes.
Just what his color is we do not know, for he is stained in red-brown
stripes all over his body, around his legs, and on his face, but we
think he is a light gray.
