From that time forward I became a hero and an Indian killer.

This was, of course, the first Indian I had ever shot, and as I was not then more than eleven years of age, my exploit created quite a sensation.
The other Indians, upon learning what had happened to their "advance guard," set up a terrible howling, and fired several volleys at us, but without doing any injury, as we were so well protected by the bank.

We resumed our journey down the river, and traveled all night long.

Just before daylight, Frank McCarthy crawled out over the bank and discovered that we were only five miles from Fort Kearney, which post we reached in safety in about two hours,--shortly after _reveille_--bringing the wounded man with us.

It was indeed a relief to us all to feel that once more we were safe.
Frank McCarthy immediately reported to the commanding officer and informed him of all that had happened.