.MTAwMg.NjU1ODc

to his people the latter had "gone back on him", and had not told him of their intention of moving, that when he wakened that morning the lodges were already out of sight.

    All the Indians present claimed that hunger compelled the Cheyennes to go, and that they had only gone West far enough to find the Buffalo, probably to Elk Creek where it is understood the rest of the Arapahoes are camped.     All the chiefs too, claimed that what Gen'l. Hazen issued to them on Saturday was wholly consumed before Sunday night and they invited us to their camps to see if we could find any food.     The chiefs then anxiously enquired if troops would be sent after the runaways to which Major Kidd replied that they would not unless Gen'l. Hazen wished it.  He told them that no movement should have been made without Gen'l. Hazen's [2 words underlined] permission, that Gen'l. H. would return home that night and he advised them to wait and talk to him on the subject.   Up to this time, in General Hazen's absence, Major Kidd, had conducted the matter according to his own ideas, I being practically but a spectator & listener.  Major Kidd now seemed to give up the pursuit, or at least to indefinitely postpone action.    Then [underline] upon my own part I sent for Essahavil and talked with him,  he said he knew [underline] nothing about the matter but felt certain the Cheyennes had left without any idea to return and because of an understanding between them and the Indians still out, I therefore engaged Essahavil to go home and send me in at sunset two of his men, to follow the trail of the Cheyennes find its direction