about noon
Until the weather moderated in the hills to the west , there was no hope of crossing the river ; but men grew hungry and nights were chilly , and bluster and bravado brought neither food nor warmth . A third wave was noticed within an hour , raising the water-gauge over a foot . The South Fork of the Big Cheyenne almost encircled the entire Black Hills country , and with a hundred mountain affluents emptying in their tribute , the waters commanded and we obeyed . Ordering my men to kill a beef , I rode down the river in the hope of finding Sponsilier on our side , and about noon sighted his camp and cattle on the opposite bank . A group of men were dallying along the shore , but being out of hearing , I turned back without exposing myself . On my return a general camp had been established at the nearest wood , and a stray killed . Stakes were driven to mark the rise or fall of the water , and we settled down like prisoners , waiting for an expected reprieve .