Robert and Nathaniel had walked to the livery where McGee was waiting for them with the horses. They exchanged greetings as they affixed Robert’s belongings to his horse. The three men rode to the fort in silence. As they approached the stockade, Robert could see groups of soldiers: some standing, some on horseback. Within each group there were some civilians and at least one Indian. They rode into the crowd, dismounted and waited to find out what they were to do next.
A young soldier approached carrying a sheaf of papers. He looked at Robert and McGee.
“Are you a guide?” he asked McGee.
“I ain’t no guide,” McGee responded. “This here’s the fella you’re lookin’ fer,” he said indicating Robert.
The young man looked Robert up and down. “Name?”
“Robert Slocum.”
He flipped through the pa
