"But there are so many stories in the papers, Emma, for each correspondent seems to think that he is sent out there to write a romance, so do tell us just how it was, for Violet, I know, is as curious to know as I am," said Ella Dewhurst, the fair young hostess.
"Yes, I shall be delighted to hear of your adventure, Miss Foshay, for I am very deeply interested in the army," Violet Earl responded.
Thus urged Emma Foshay said:
"I would have been glad to have remained there during all the troubles, to be near papa; but he was ordered at once from the post to the front, and I became anxious about mamma, who is an invalid, so decided to hurry home at once. It was easier, however, to decide upon than to accomplish; but I was determined to come, and so accepted the escort of Lieutenant Kit Carey, one of the army heroes, and justly so. He had orders to report at once for duty at the Pine Ridge Agency, as he was an old Indian fighter, reared on the frontier, and so I was glad to have such a man for my escort, and Colonel Crandall was good enough to say I should have gone with no one else alone, as his aide was about the only one he knew who could carry me through in safety."
And so Emma went on with her story, telling in a thrilling way the perils they had encountered, and, at last, when Kit Carey's horse was wounded, how he determined to stand at bay while she rode on to the camp for aid.
"It seemed cowardly in me to desert that brave man," she continued, "yet I could no more check that horse than I could have beaten the Indians back.
"Then I saw him in the trail as I sped on, fearless, defiant, and ready to die if so it must be, without flinching. I shall never forget him as I saw him there, never! never! And I shall never forget how utterly crushed I felt at heart in leaving him there to what I deemed a certain fate."
"Yet he escaped," said Violet Earl, quietly.
"Yes, papa wired me on the train as I came along, that Lieutenant Carey had not only escaped death, but was afterward selected as the one to capture Sitting Bull, and I know we shall hear more of his gallant acts, for he is just the man for a hero."
"I heard to-day, Miss Foshay, of the battle of Wounded Knee Creek, and that Lieutenant Carey had greatly distinguished himself. This was telegraphed me by Surgeon Frank Powell, who knows that Lieutenant Carey is a particular friend of mine," said Violet Earl.