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WAR-PATH AND BIVOUAC,
Lieutenants Bubb and Chase. The intrepid scouts, Captain
Jack Crawford and Frank Gruard, were sent in as govern-
ment couriers.
   Our march from Owl creek to Willow creek, on Sep-
tember 12th, was one of the worst of the campaign. We
,were " on the go " from daylight until after dark, leading
our miserable horses most of the way. Colonel Royall, as
loyal an old soldier as ever placed foot in stirrup, " hoofed it"
beside me mile after mile, never complaining but lightening
up the dismal prospect of events with anecdotes of Mexico
and the Civil War. We made over thirty-five miles on that
march. Our only guide to the position of camp was a fire
kindled by the headquarters staff of the General, who had
got in ahead. The darkness was so thick that, to use the
rude language of the tired soldiers, you could " cut it with a
knife." We came up after the 5th Cavalry, but we could hear
the commands of the officers of that regiment, as they sought
to place their men in position before ordering them to dis-
mount.
   Finally our turn came. We were, to all appearance, on
the brink of a deep ravine, fringed by trees of some kind.
I can hear old Royall's gruff voice yet, calling out, " Col-
onel Mills, put your battalion in camp beyond the creek."
Our troop led that night, and Lieutenant Lawson called
out " A Company, right into line!" The order was obeyed.
"Don't delay there," shouted Colonel Royall. "Forward!"
   ' Forward! " repeated the old lieutenant, and, not know-
ing but what we might be riding down a precipice, we
moved ahead. The undergrowth parted before us. My
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