I was naturally desirous of mastering this mysterious medium of speech, and began my education in it with far more interest than I had given to the “three R’s” back at Salt Creek.  My wagon-beds became splendid playhouses for the Indian children from the villages, who are very much like other children, despite their red skins.

I joined them in their games, and from them picked up a fair working knowledge of the Sioux language.  The acquaintance I formed here was to save my scalp and life later, but I little suspected it then.

I spent the summer of ’58 in and about Laramie.  I was getting to be a big, husky boy now, and felt that I had entered on what was to be my career—­as indeed I had.

In January, ’59, Simpson was ordered back to Missouri as brigade train-master of three wagon-trains, traveling a day apart.  Because of much travel the grass along the regular trail was eaten so close that the feed for the bulls was scanty.

Instead of following the trail down the South Platte, therefore, Simpson picked a new route along the North Platte.  There was no road, but the grass was still long, and forage for the cattle was necessary.

We had accomplished about half our journey with no sign of hostile Indians.  Then one day, as Simpson, George Woods and I were riding ahead to overtake the lead train, a party of Sioux bore down on us, plainly intent on mischief.  There was little time to act.  No cover of any kind was to be had.  For us three, even with our rifles, to have stood up against the Sioux in the open would have been suicide.  Simpson had been trained to think quickly.  Swinging the three mules so that they formed a triangle, he drew his six-shooter and dropped them where they stood.

“Now there’s a little cover, boys,” he said, and we all made ready for the attack.

Our plan of defense was now made for us.  First rifles, then, at closer quarters, revolvers.  If it came to a hand-to-hand conflict we had our knives as a last resort.

The Sioux drew up when they saw how quickly Simpson’s wit had built a barricade for us.  Then the arrows began to fly and among them spattered a few bullets.  We were as sparing as possible with our shots.  Most of them told.  I had already learned how to use a rifle, and was glad indeed that I had.  If ever a boy stood in need of that kind of preparedness I did.

Down came the Indians, with the blood-curdling yell which is always a feature of their military strategy.  We waited till they got well within range.  Then at Simpson’s order we fired.  Three ponies galloped riderless over the prairie, and our besiegers hesitated, then wheeled, and rode out of range.  But our rest was short.  Back they came.  Again we fired, and had the good fortune to stop three more of them.

Simpson patted me encouragingly on the shoulder.  “You’re all right, Billy!” he said, and his praise was music to my ears.

By this time our poor dead mules, who had given their lives for ours, were stuck full of arrows.  Woods had been winged in the shoulder.  Simpson, carefully examining the wound, expressed his belief that the arrow which inflicted it had not been poisoned.