He was also notified that another company of Indian scouts was ordered to report at a certain point, awaiting orders from Lieutenant Carey, and two troops of cavalry, and a Hotchkiss gun were stationed within easy call, should he need them, while the commanding general had appointed him acting captain until further orders.
"If this war lasts long enough, and I do not get killed, it shall be captain in reality," muttered Kit Carey.
Then he broke the seal of another letter.
It was from Surgeon Frank Powell, and only a few lines, as follows;
"My Dear Carey.—It has just come to my knowledge that the officer who captures Red Hatchet, the red fiend who started the Wounded Knee fight, is to go up a step in promotion.
"Go for the two bars on the shoulder straps, for you are the man to win them.
"Yours, Frank Powell."
And just as he read these lines, that the captor of Red Hatchet was to be promoted, by one of those strange coincidences that those we speak of, or are in our minds, appear before us, into sight dashed the Sioux band, and at their head their terrible young chief.
"Speak of the devil and his imp appears," cried Kit Carey, and hastily thrusting his papers away he called for his men to saddle and follow him.