She had seen no papers since leaving St.Louis, and the news before that contained nothing more definite than rumors of uneasiness among the Plains Indians.

Army officers interviewed rather made light of the affair, as being merely the regular outbreak of young warriors, easily suppressed.

On the train she had met with no one who treated the situation as really serious, and, if it was, then surely her father would send some message of restraint.

Satisfied upon this point, and fully determined upon departing at the earliest opportunity, she ventured down the narrow, creaking stairs in search of breakfast.
The dining-room was discovered at the foot of the steps, a square box of a place, the two narrow windows looking forth on the desolate prairie.

There were three long tables, but only one was in use, and, with no waiter to guide her, the girl advanced hesitatingly and took a seat opposite the two men already present.