The Rainbow of Gold - Cover

The Rainbow of Gold

Copyright© 2023 by Joseph A. Altsheler

Chapter 3: The Council

We camped under the walls of Fort Leavenworth, and the next day Col. Griscom who commanded the troops there, came down to see us. He called at once for Capt Simpson, our leader, and the two sat down by a wagon and talked earnestly for a very long time. Then the Colonel went away and I noticed that Simpson’s face was very grave. I ventured to approach him, and asked what was the matter.

“Nothing,” he said, and he answered me rather curtly, I thought. Henry, with his usual inquisitiveness, had gone into the fort with Starboard Sam to examine the quarters of the soldiers and their mode of living. When they returned a few hours later I saw at once that they had news.

“What is it?” I asked, as soon as they came up.

“Haven’t you heard!” exclaimed Henry, excitedly. “They told us all about it in the fort. The scalping parties are out. The Indians are on the warpath. Every man, woman and child in an emigrant party has been killed and scalped not four days’ journey west of here. Col. Griscom says we must not think of proceeding further at present The moment we pass out of sight of the fort our lives will be in danger, he says.”

Starboard Sam nodded his head emphatically in corroboration of what Henry had said.

“If we can’t go on, then what are we to do?” I asked.

Neither Henry nor Starboard Sam could reply, and we three stared blankly at each other. I felt my gorge rising, for unfortunately I am of a stubborn temper, as my uncle often told me, and was indisposed to stop long under the walls of the fort after having come so far.

“But what does Capt. Simpson say?” I asked at length.

“Nuthin’ as yet,” replied Starboard Sam, “but I suppose we’ll call a council of war about it”

 
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