The weather turned colder, ice forming on water buckets and frost turning the dead, brown earth a glistening white early in the mornings. Fur overcoats and hats were issued to the men of the Seventh, and graze for the horses became a problem. Sickness came in the form of colds, which turned into more serious illnesses, and one of the first casualties was Laurence Dutton. He got soaked in a sudden rainstorm, neglected to change his clothing, and the next day developed a hacking cough that grew worse until he finally gave up and took to his bed. His students were mildly sorry for their teacher, but enjoyed their unscheduled holiday. Laurie rode her mare—whom she had named Lady—back from Bismarck, and went by to tell her father the news. Winslow had been planning to ride out to make contacts with some of the more peaceful Indians, but was forced to call off his trip. He spent the next two days with Laurie, though Eileen had offered to keep her. “Let her stay with me, Tom,” she had urged.
