Colonel, I'm a good reckoner, as I've seen lots of war, and they ain't
got more `n fifteen thousand men there on the creek, while if we get all
our divisions together we can hit `em with nigh on to sixty thousand.
For God's sake, Colonel, can't we do it?"
"We ought to, and if I can do anything, we will. Sergeant, you've done a
great service at a great risk, and all of us owe you thanks. I shall see
General McCook at once."
The sergeant, forgetting that he was wet to the skin, stretched himself
in the dry grass near Dick and his comrades, and soon fell fast asleep,
while his clothes dried upon him. But Colonel Winchester went to General
McCook's tent and insisted upon awakening him. The general received him
eagerly and listened with close attention.
"This man Whitley is trustworthy?" he said.
"Absolutely. He has had years of experience on the plains, fighting
Sioux, Cheyennes and other Indians, and he has been with me through most
of the war so far. There is probably no more skillful scout, and none
with a clearer head and better judgment in either army.
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