In Barracks and Wigwam — page 142: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

S930 Lhe Battalion at the Agency. : : with my faithful horse standing close by. My wound had closed up, and after taking a pull at a flask I was able to mount and ride on. I reckoned I might meet a relief party on the way from the fort. But don’t stop here, sir. You're needed badly 33 “All right, my brave fellow,’ interposed the major; “we'll waste no time. You say you left about half-past three. ‘That was before the wire was mended and com-_ munication opened. Triscott knew several hours ago that we were coming, and I daresay he'll manage to hold out.” : | “He couldn’t have known, sir,” replied the messenger. “for the office and other buildings had to be abandoned. The whole party are shut up in the agent’s house.”’ The major gave a low whistle. He would have liked to ask more questions, but the urgency of the situation for- bade it. So he sent Calder to the rear and promptly gave the command to start. The column advanced on a gallop, and the ambulance corps, which had taken charge of the wounded man, found it hard work to keep up. The force was large enough to cope with the number of Indians Calder had estimated, for the linemen and their cavalry escort had been attached to the three troops. The men were all in good spirits, and eager for a fight, and Major Dallas knew they could be depended upon. As the flying hoofs traversed the prairie an intermittent rifle-fire was heard from in front, telling that the agent and his people were still resisting an attack. One mile was quickly passed—two—three. Now the firing was louder and more rapid, and from the crest of a ridge, sev- eral hundred yards in front, the battalion would come in view of the scene. “Tt’s a rare thing for Indians to continue an assault f com chor ) (S. ag