for the fatigue of the hard ride.

So, one morning after an early breakfast, the horses were led up from
the stables, each one having on a strong halter, and a coiled picket
rope with an iron pin fastened to the saddle. These were carried so
that if it should be found necessary to secure the horses on the
plains, they could be picketed out. The bachelors' set of quarters is
next to ours, so we all got ready together, and I must say that the
deliberate way in which each girth was examined, bridles fixed, rifles
fastened to saddles, and other things done, was most exasperating. But
we finally started, about seven o'clock, Lieutenant Baldwin and I
taking the lead, and Faye and Lieutenant Alden following.

The day was very cold, with a strong wind blowing, so I wore one of
Faye's citizen caps, with tabs tied down over my ears, and a large
silk handkerchief around my neck, all of which did not improve my
looks in the least, but it was quite in keeping with the dressing of
the officers, who had on buckskin shirts, with handkerchiefs,
leggings, and moccasins. Two large army wagons followed us, each drawn
by four mules, and carrying several enlisted men. Mounted orderlies
led extra horses that officers and men were to ride when they struck
the herd.

Well, we rode twelve miles without seeing one living thing, and then
we came to a little adobe ranch where we dismounted to rest a while.
By this time our feet and hands were almost frozen, and Faye suggested
that I should remain at the ranch until they returned; but that I
refused to do--to give up the hunt was not to be thought of,
particularly as a ranchman had just told us that a small herd of
buffalo had been seen that very morning only two miles farther on. So,