Auberry thought that it was perhaps some west-bound emigrant or freight wagon, or perhaps a stage with belated mails.
"Stay here, boys," he said, "and I'll ride down and see." He galloped off, half a mile or so, and then we saw him pause, throw up his hand, and ride forward at full speed.

By that time the travelers were topping a slight rise in the floor of the valley, and we could see that they were horsemen, perhaps thirty or forty in all.

Following them came the dust-whitened top of an Army ambulance, and several camp wagons, to the best of our figuring at that distance.

We hesitated no longer and quickly mounting our horses rode full speed toward them.

Auberry met us, coming back.
"Troop of dragoons, bound for Laramie," he said.