“I am going to Fort Yates.”
Randolph was utterly amazed to hear this. He threw off the blanket and sat up on the bed.
“The colonel wants to send a report to General Miles, and is now adding a word about this war-party I met,” continued Parker. “I’ve got to be with him in half an hour.”
“You are going in command of a big escort, of course,” said Randolph, angry at himself because he was so long neglected. “Perhaps I will get a chance to go with you.”
“I don’t think you will this time. I am only going to take Carl, the Trailer.”
“And no more?” said Randolph, who grew more and more amazed.
“He is all I asked for, and I believe I am going to get him.”
“Well, when you get ready to start come in and let me bid you good-by,” said Lieutenant Randolph, again stretching himself on the bed. “I will never see you dressing in this room again.”
“Our biggest scouts take no more with them than that,” said Parker. “They want somebody with them if they get into trouble, but they don’t want a large party for fear that they cannot conceal themselves.”
“Who is talking about concealing a party?” asked Randolph in disgust. “You had better not let the colonel know that.”