After crossing Smoky Hill River, I felt comparatively safe as this was the last stream I had to cross.  Riding on to the northward I struck the old Santa Fe trail, ten miles from Fort Hays, just at break of day.

My horse did not seem much fatigued, and being anxious to make good time and get as near the post as possible before it was fairly daylight as there might be bands of Indians camped along Big Creek, I urged him forward as fast as he could go.  As I had not “lost” any Indians, I was not now anxious to make their acquaintance, and shortly after reveille rode into the post.  I proceeded directly to General Sheridan’s headquarters, and, was met at the door, by Colonel Moore, aid-de-camp on General Sheridan’s staff who asked me on what business I had come.

“I have dispatches for General Sheridan, and my instructions from Captain Parker, commanding Fort Larned, are that they shall be delivered to the General as soon as possible,” said I.

Colonel Moore invited me into one of the offices, and said he would hand the dispatches to t h e General as soon as he got up.

[Illustration:  DELIVERING DISPATCHES TO SHERIDAN.]

“I prefer to give these dispatches to General Sheridan myself, and at once,” was my reply.

The General, who was sleeping in the same building, hearing our voices, called out, “Send the man in with the dispatches.”  I was ushered into the General’s presence, and as we had met before he recognized me and said: 

“Hello, Cody, is that you?”

“Yes, sir; I have some dispatches here for you, from Captain Parker,” said I, as I handed the package over to him.

He hurriedly read them, and said they were important; and then he asked me all about General Hazen and where he had gone, and about the breaking out of the Kiowas and Comanches.  I gave him all the information that I possessed, and related the events and adventures of the previous day and night.

“Bill,” said he, “you must have had a pretty lively ride.  You certainly had a close call when you ran into the Indians on Walnut Creek.  That was a good joke that you played on old Satanta.  I suppose you’re pretty tired after your long journey?”

“I am rather weary, General, that’s a fact, as I have been in the saddle since yesterday morning;” was my reply, “but my horse is more tired than I am, and needs attention full as much if not more,” I added.  Thereupon the General called an orderly and gave instructions to have my animal well taken care of, and then he said, “Cody, come in and have some breakfast with me.”

“No, thank you, General,” said I, “Hays City is only a mile from here, and I prefer riding over there, as I know about every one in the town, and want to see some of my friends.”

“Very well; do as you please, and come to the post afterwards as I want to see you,” said he.

Bidding him good-morning, and telling him that I would return in a few hours, I rode over to Hays City, and at the Perry House I met many of my old friends who were of course all glad to see me.  I took some refreshments and a two hours nap, and afterward returned to Fort Hays, as I was requested.