About one o'clock
Wolf was the coolest man in my employ , had figured in several shooting scrapes , and as he was a splendid shot , I wanted to send him with Forrest and my brother . If identified as belonging to Lovell 's outfits , there was a possibility that insult might be offered the boys ; and knowing that it mattered not what the odds were , it would be resented , I thought it advisable to send a man who had smelt powder at short range . I felt no special uneasiness about my brother , in fact he was the logical man to go , but a little precaution would do no harm , and I saw to it that Sponsilier sent a good representative . About one o'clock we started , thirty strong . Riding down the Yellowstone , the three detailed men , Quince Forrest , and my brother soon bore off to the left and we lost sight of them . Continuing on down the river , we forded the Missouri at the regular wagon-crossing , and within an hour after leaving Forrest 's camp cantered into Fort Buford . Sanders and his outfit were waiting in front of the quartermaster 's office , the hour for starting having been changed from two to three , which afforded ample time to visit the sutler 's bar .