half past one
`` Going over to that damned Sioux village again , '' he swore between his set teeth . `` That makes the third time she 's headed him there this week , '' and with strange annoyance at heart he turned away to seek comfort in council with his stanch henchman , Captain Ray , when the orderly came bounding up the steps with a telegraphic despatch which the major opened , read , turned a shade grayer and whistled low . `` My compliments to Captains Blake and Ray , '' said he , to the silent young soldier , standing attention at the doorstep , `` and say I should be glad to see them here at once . '' That night the sentries had just called off half past one when there was some commotion at the guard-house . A courier had ridden in post haste from the outlying station of Fort Beecher , far up under the lee of the Big Horn range . The corporal of the guard took charge of his reeking horse , while the sergeant led the messenger to the commander 's quarters . The major was already awake and half dressed .