"Am I to go alone, sir, or with a force?"
"You are to pick your men from the Indian police, and I only hope and believe they will not prove treacherous; but therein lies your danger, should they do so, as great as it will be from the avowed hostiles. Take as many as you deem necessary, only do not go over fifty men, and your duty will be to know all that goes on in the hostile camps, report the movements of bands, and all you can learn of what the friendly Indians may do, for just now is the most critical time along the frontier, and I have little faith in professions of friendship from armed redskins. Start as soon as you can get ready, and report by your Indian couriers to the officer nearest your position when you have any news to send through of importance, while above all, Carey, be careful of yourself, for you are not to be sacrificed, you know, only there is no one to send who can do the work as you will, with all your border experience."
"I shall be cautious, general, and my redskin soldiers will also be."
After a few minutes longer spent in conversation, Kit Carey bade the general good-night, and in an hour more was off on his special service of great danger, while behind him in single file rode thirty redskin horsemen, Uncle Sam's Indian cavalry.
CHAPTER VIII.
In a fertile valley, through which ran a limpid, swiftly flowing stream, not very far from the Indian reservation, dwelt a settler by the name of Vance Bernard.
He was a man of striking appearance, and one who, always hospitable, was friendly with no one.
He had been a miner in the Black Hills, it was said by those who knew him, and having "struck it rich," had come to that part of the country to establish a home.