Chapter 11

Desperate to be with Libbie, Custer disobeys General Sherman's orders. Instead of heading north after Pawnee Killer, Custer turns south toward Fort Wallace, where he has asked Libbie to meet him. Pawnee Killer finds Custer, and attacks him. After driving off the attack, Custer decides to follow the chief to his village, and arrest his whole clan. But when Pawnee Killer goes north, Custer doesn't follow. He resumes his march toward Fort Wallace at a horse-killing pace. Thirteen men desert on the way. Custer orders them shot, against military regulations. Six of them are caught, three wounded. Custer refuses them medical attention and presses on to the south. In the meantime, Indians have begun raiding again in the south. General Sherman now orders Custer to go to Fort Wallace - exactly where he wanted to go. The orders are sent to Custer with a party led by Lieutenant Kidder. Continuing toward Fort Wallace, Custer finds the Kidder party - dead and horribly mutilated, most likely by Pawn