“And Custer isn’t with him?”
“No, sir.”
“This note is addressed to General Custer,” said Lieutenant Hare; “from General Terry.” And he read it aloud: “General: A Crow scout has just come into camp, saying you’ve been whipped. I don’t believe it, but I’m coming with medical aid.”
“Tried to get into your lines last night,” informed the white scout, “but the blamed Sioux were so thick they held me back. I s’posed you were Custer. Where is Custer, might I ask?”
Whitening face turned to whitening face. Ned knew himself grown pale and shaky with a great fear.
“If Custer didn’t meet Terry——”
“And hasn’t communicated with us——”
“Or with him——”
“We must hope for the best, gentlemen,” faltered Captain Benteen.