Ghost Soldier Part 2

I sat down on the rock once occupied by the lizard and took a bite of my biscuit. I could hear the grit of the sand as I chewed. The more I chewed the fuller my mouth got, just as if it were a bean soaking to the point of exploding. I spit it out and carefully took a swallow of the tepid foul tasting liquid. Oh what I’d give for a cool sip from the well back home. Back home! How long it had been since I thought of back home. When I returned from the war Ma and Pa were gone and there was no reason for me to stay so I headed west, joined the cavalry and here I am right smack dab in the middle of another war. I got to admit I eyed some of this land and thought about a little piece to settle down on when I muster out. Yes sir!! It had pretty damned good prospects, except for the water. Hadn’t had a decent drink since I left Fort Robinson in Nebraska territory. I was just about to stretch out for a snooze when a shot rang out followed buy a scream as one of the horses went down and was thrashing around. What followed next I’m not sure about. Everything was automatic. I was in the saddle and racing across the ground after my buddies. I remember getting a glimpse of the river but we were suddenly met head on by the Indians and swerved east toward the top of a hill. I could hear the beat of my own heart in my ears. I was scared! Damned scared. Another bunch of Indians were coming straight towards us. I remember muttering, "Careful Poker, don’t fall. I don’t want to die here." What the hell is going on? There’s that damned crazy Custer at the crest of the hill on foot. The horses are falling all around him and the soldiers are scrambling for cover behind the downed animals. Another line of Indians was coming from the left.