It seemed to me that I saw gazing down directly at me one cold,
bright, reproving star, staring straight into my soul, and accusing me
of being nothing more than a savage, nothing better than a man.
CHAPTER XIV
AU LARGE
At our little village on the following morning, Auberry and I learned
that the _River Bell_ would lie up indefinitely for repairs, and that at
least one, perhaps several days would elapse before she resumed her
journey up stream. This suited neither of us, so we sent a negro down
with a skiff, and had him bring up our rifles, Auberry's bedding, my
portmanteaus, etc., it being our intention to take the stage up to
Leavenworth. By noon our plans were changed again, for a young Army
officer came down from that Post with the information that Colonel
Meriwether was not there. He had been ordered out to the Posts up the
Platte River, had been gone for three weeks; and no one could tell what
time he would return. The Indians were reported very bad along the
Platte. Possibly Colonel Meriwether might be back at Leavenworth within
the week, possibly not for a month or more!
This was desperate news for me, for I knew that I ought to be starting
home at that very time.
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