AU LARGE At our little village on the following morning, Auberry and I learned that the _River Bell_ would lie up indefinitely for repairs, and that at least one, perhaps several days would elapse before she resumed her journey up stream.

This suited neither of us, so we sent a negro down with a skiff, and had him bring up our rifles, Auberry's bedding, my portmanteaus, etc., it being our intention to take the stage up to Leavenworth.

By noon our plans were changed again, for a young Army officer came down from that Post with the information that Colonel Meriwether was not there.

He had been ordered out to the Posts up the Platte River, had been gone for three weeks; and no one could tell what time he would return.

The Indians were reported very bad along the Platte.