"If I give you your horse and mule will you proceed at once to Fort Lyon?"
"No, sir; I have some bills to settle at Sheridan and some other business to transact."
"Well, sir, will you at least promise not to interfere any further with the quartermaster's agent at Sheridan?"
"I shall not trouble him any more, sir. I have had all I want from him."
General Bankhead thereupon sent for Captain Laufer and ordered him to turn the horse and mule over to me. In a few minutes I was on my way to Sheridan, and, having settled my business there, I proceeded to Fort Lyon, arriving there two days afterward. I related my adventures to General Carr, Major Brown, and the other officers, who were highly amused thereby.
CHAPTER VI
When I returned to General Carr's command after my experience as a prisoner I was informed that the general had been waiting for me for two weeks.
"I'm glad you've come, Bill," said the general. "While we've been at this Post a number of valuable animals have been stolen, as well as many Government horses and mules. We think the thieves are still near the fort. Fresh tracks have been found near Fort Lyon. Perhaps Bill Green, the scout who has been up there, can tell you something about them."
Sending for Green, I found that he had marked the place where he had lost the trail of the marauders.