A lay-off of six weeks was ordered, and our time was our own.
While we were thus idle a party was organized to carry the war into the Indians' own country, and teach them that the white man's property must be let alone.

This party I joined.
Stage-drivers, express-riders, stock-tenders and ranchmen, forty in number, composed this party.

All were well armed; all were good shots, and brave, determined men.

"Wild Bill" Hickock, another of the Western gunmen of whom I shall have something to tell later, was captain of the expedition.

He had come recently to our division as a stage-driver and had the experience and courage necessary to that kind of leadership.
Twenty miles out from Sweetwater Bridge, at the head of Horse Creek, we found an Indian trail running north toward Powder River.