Sibley's men threw themselves on the ground, too exhausted to go
another step. Hot food was brought them, and they soon were strong
enough to go to Camp Cloud Peak, to receive the hospitality and
sympathy of their comrades. The two men who had been left behind were
brought in and cared for.
This expedition was one of the most perilous in the history of the
Plains, and the fact that there were any survivors is due to the skill,
coolness, and courage of the two scouts, Grouard and Pourier.
CHAPTER X
My work on the Plains brought me many friends, among them being some of
the truest and staunchest that any man ever had. You who live your
lives in cities or among peaceful ways cannot always tell whether your
friends are the kind who would go through fire for you. But on the
Plains one's friends have an opportunity to prove their mettle. And I
found out that most of mine would as cheerfully risk their lives for me
as they would give me a light for my pipe when I asked it.
Such a friend was old "Buffalo Chips," who certainly deserves a place
in these memoirs of mine.
One morning while I was sitting on my porch at North Platte, playing
with my children, I saw a man limping on crutches from the direction of
the Post hospital. He was a middle-aged man, but had long, flowing
white hair, and the most deeply-pitted face I have ever beheld.
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