In Barracks and Wigwam — page 227: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CHAPTER XXXV. SAFE IN CAMP. The spot where the field column was encamped had been selected by Major Dallas more on account of its ad- vantages in the way of forage and water, than because of its utility for defense. It was a semi-circular strip of level soil, covered with rich and luxuriant grass that af- torded the best of browsing for the horses. In the back- — ground—toward the south—rose a tall, rocky mountain, a single and detached spur, and the only one in the neigh- — borhood. In front, forming a loop in its erratic course, . flowed a shallow stream of swift and sparkling water. To right and left, and straight ahead toward the north, stretched the undulating and sage-covered plains. Here the troops had been lying for three days, resting after the hot conflict with the Sioux, and the bootless marching and scouting, and waiting in vain for intelli- gence that would bring them once more face to face with a large body of the enemy. An attack was not dreamed of, for it was generally believed that the Indians were still scattered far and wide, craftily hiding in inaccessible nooks and strongholds, and watching for a chance to fall upon scouting detachments. At two o'clock on the morning of the fourth day peace and quiet brooded over the sleeping camp, and the silvery moon peeped down at intervals from the fleecy masses of - clouds that were blowing over the sky. a vf The space between the mountain and the river was dotted with a few white tents, and with the motionless E(@) cComicbooks: