The first person he met was garbed as an officer, and this man, although brave as a lion, proved to be an arrogant fellow in this time of danger.
"Whar kin I see Major Reno?" asked the ranger, laying his hand on the arm of the officer, a familiarity he seemed to resent, for he shook it off as he turned haughtily toward the other.
"What are you doing here, fellow, when all brave men are at work?"
Pandy smiled a little.
He entertained a curious feeling toward the army.
In one way he felt a contempt for them, and then again he almost reverenced everything pertaining to the great governmental system.
"Because I've jest come in; crawled among the reds. Been wid Custer, an' by ther Lord Harry, seen ther general an' every man wiped out," said Pandy.
"Look here, fellow; what canard is this?" demanded the officer.
The ranger overlooked the insulting speech; for he knew that what he said was astounding news.
His tone was dignified when he repeated it, however.