Chapter Nine

May 11, 1876

Bismarck, Dakota Territory

When the Far West landed in Bismarck, the gold hunters streamed off the boat as if in a race to get out into the Black Hills. Many of them hurried to the livery stable to try to buy a horse. The horses were going at a premium price, but even so, they sold out quickly. There were just too many gold hunters, and not enough horses to go around.

Falcon walked down the gangplank, then was surprised to see Custer standing on the dock.

“General Custer,” Falcon said. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Custer took in all the passengers with a wave of his hand. “Would you look at those fools?” he said. “What in the world has gotten into them?”

“Gold fever,” Falcon replied.

Custer snorted. “Yeah, that stupid article in the Tribune. It was picked up by newspapers all over the country.”

“I thought you approved of it,” Falcon said. “The article seemed to indicate that your expedition was the genesis of all this.”

“Unfortunately, it was,” Custer said. “But the reports we brought back were greatly exaggerated by the newspaper and, with each telling around the country, the reports grow. Some, I think, would have you believe you could just pull up a plant and find gold nuggets, like peanuts, clinging to the roots.”

“How many have come here?” Falcon asked.

Custer shook his head. “I don’t know. Several hundred, I suppose. Maybe even as many as a thousand. They are just lucky that all the Indians have moved west to follow the spring grass. If they were here, I wouldn’t give a plug nickel for the life of any of these gold hunters.”

“Can’t you do something about it?”

“Do what?” Custer asked.

“I don’t know. Stop them from going into the Black Hills, I suppose.”

“Even if the government would let me do that, which I don’t think they would, I couldn’t do it because I don’t have the manpower. Within a few days, I’ll be leading the Seventh on a march to find the Indians who have left the reservation and bring them back.

“Well, I’m on Vic, and I brought Dandy for you to ride back to the post,” Custer said, leading Falcon over to a hitching rail where two horses stood. “You should feel honored. Dandy is Libbie’s horse and she doesn’t let just anyone ride him.”

“I am honored,” Falcon said. He patted Dandy on the neck. “Dandy’s a fine-looking horse.”

“Mr. MacCallister, your luggage, sir,” a black steward from the boat said.

“Thanks,” Falcon replied, giving the steward a half-dollar.

“Godin,” Custer called, waving at a soldier in uniform.

“Yes, General?”

“See that Colonel MacCallister’s luggage gets to the post. Put it in the visiting officers’ room.”

“Yes, sir,” Godin replied, picking up the leather grip and walking away with it.

“Your brother and sister get here this afternoon,” Custer said as he swung into the saddle. “I am going to send Tom back into town to pick them up. Tonight, Libbie is planning a big dinner, and tomorrow your brother and sister will perform for us.”

“I am very much looking forward to the visit,” Falcon said. “I’m sure it will be very interesting.”

When Falcon reached Ft. Lincoln, Custer took him directly to regimental headquarters to introduce him around. There, Falcon met Custer’s brothers; Tom, who was a captain, and Boston, who was a civilian attached to the quartermaster. He also met Autie Reed, Custer’s nephew, and Lieutenant James “Jimmi” Calhoun, who was married to Custer’s sister, Margaret.

“And these officers are the same as family to me,” Custer said, introducing Captains Yates, Moylan, Keogh, and Lieutenant Weir.

“And my adjutant, Lieutenant Cooke.”

“Colonel, it is a pleasure meeting you,” Tom Custer said.

Falcon glanced toward Custer.

“I told them you were a colonel,” Custer said.

“But only in the Colorado Home Guard,” Falcon replied.

Custer shook his head. “Not true. You were given the reserve commission of lieutenant colonel when you were in Washington, weren’t you?”

“I was.”

“Then you have earned the right to be addressed as and given the respect of a lieutenant colonel.”

“Colonel MacCallister, would you care to go into Bismarck with me this afternoon to meet your brother and sister?” Tom Custer asked.

“Thank you, Captain, I would appreciate that,” Falcon said.

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