I went to Col.  Chivington’s quarters that evening, and as soon as we were seated, he asked me if I intended to return with the train to Bent’s Fort.

I answered.  “I have sent word to Mr. Bent that I was coming back to the Fort as soon as I finished my business with the train here, but I have not asked Capt.  McKee whether Col.  Bent wants my services or not.”

At this moment Capt.  McKee came in.  I said, “Capt., what answer did Col.  Bent give to the message that I sent by you?”

He answered, “He said he wanted you to get back to the Fort as quickly as you can, that they want you to go to the Comanche village on a trading trip for them.”

I turned to the Col. and said, “You see the position I am in, Col.  You must bear in mind that the train does not need an escort back to Bent’s Fort, for there are no Comanches between here and there, and I do not see where there is anything to hinder the train in going back in perfect safety.”

The Col. then said, “Now Mr. Drannan, what do you expect for your trouble in piloting the train here?”

I answered, “Col., I will leave that matter with you and Capt.  McKee.  He knows what my services have been and what they were worth.”

The Capt. said, “Col., it will be impossible to ever pay Mr. Drannan the worth of what he has done to protect the train through the Comanche country, in not only protecting the Government property, but the lives of the men that were with the train.  So Col., you will readily understand what a difficult matter it is to put an estimate on what his services calls for in money.”

Col.  Chivington sat in thought a few minutes and then said to me, “Mr. Drannan, will two hundred and fifty dollars be a sufficient amount to offer you?”

“That will be owing to circumstances, Col.  If I drop the train here it will, but if I am required to pilot the train back through the Comanche country, I would not think of accepting so small an amount.”

He then said, “Mr. Drannan, providing we employ you to take the train back through the Comanche country, will there be need of any other escort but yourself?”

I answered, “No sir, I would much prefer to handle the Indians by myself than to have a crowd with me.”  I then said, “Col., you have the control of this train.  Why don’t you make a contract with Col.  Bent and Mr. Roubidoux to load the train with Buffalo robes to freight back to the Missouri river?  I believe that if you could do so, it would nearly if not quite pay the expense of the whole trip.”

He answered, “That is something I had not thought of, but it looks as if it might be a good scheme,” and turning to the Capt. he said, “Capt.  McKee, will you return with Mr. Drannan to Bent’s Fort and see if such an arrangement can be made with Col.  Bent and Mr. Roubidoux and report to me as quickly as possible?”

The Capt. answered, “Yes, if you think it best, and we want to be on the road early in the morning if I am to make such an arrangement.”