They saw a walled city that was far smaller than New York or St. Louis, but one of the largest in the Midwest.
And they knew nothing about the city, as if it had only been there for a short time.
"When did a city form here?" Brigadier General Carney couldn't help but wonder, "It looks like there are at least 3,000 people living here. Even in Missouri, there aren't many places like this."
No one answered his question.
Although theoretically, the large unorganized territories nearby belong to the jurisdiction of this army, few people pay attention to this place. In their view, Missouri is their base and the absolute focus of their work.
The officer who had been hesitant to speak just now was hesitant to speak again.
This time, Carney noticed the change in his expression and couldn't help but frown slightly: "Donifan, you don't look like a soldier at all. Just say what you want to say."
Donifan hesitated, "I'm not sure."
General Carney: "This is not a court!"
"Well, actually this city might be--" Donivan nodded and was about to say something.
However, at this moment, a soldier suddenly shouted: "General, there is a troop coming from the front!"
Kani and Donifan turned their heads and looked forward, and then they saw a cavalry team approaching here, with about two hundred people.
"Get ready for battle!" General Kearny gave the order first, even though the enemy didn't look like they were coming to fight.
He watched the cavalry ahead carefully.
This cavalry of 200 men had obviously come out of the city. They did not have any characteristics of the American army, nor did they have any characteristics of the Mexican army, and they did not seem to be Indians.
In fact, General Kearney judged at first sight that the cavalry were not Indians.
Because this army looked too formal, with uniform clothing, neat formations, and carrying a red flag that had never been seen before.
Can the Indians have such a regular army?
It is impossible.
Almost everyone thinks so.
As the distance shortened, they gradually saw the appearance of these cavalrymen.
A group of yellow people wearing feathers on their heads!
There is no doubt that such an image can only belong to Indians. This regular cavalry team turned out to be Indians!
"It's the Indians!" Magoffin was shocked. "How is this possible?"
"Damn it, these Indians look more like regular troops than we do," some soldiers whispered.
"I would rather believe they are Spanish."
"Their flag does look a bit Spanish, the colors, I mean."
Donifan then said, "I think they might be warriors from the Sleeping Bear Clan."
"Why?" General Kearney asked.
Donifan hesitated: "I heard that the Sleeping Bear Clan defeated the coalition of five tribes."
"One clan, defeating five tribes?" Magofin blurted out, "Are you serious?"
"That's why I said 'not sure' just now." Donivan continued, "I also think this rumor is too outrageous. It may be false or there is a deviation. But out of duty, I still found a few Indians to ask a little bit, and the result is..."
"What's the result?"
"It turns out that the rumors are true." Donifan paused for half a second, "It seems that an unprecedentedly powerful chieftain has appeared in the Sleeping Bear Clan. This chieftain, known as the 'Son of the Sky', completely reshaped his clan in a very short period of time and easily defeated all enemies."
"The Son of the Sky not only defeated all hostile tribes, but also won their respect. He established an orderly and wealthy city, open to all Indians, and even white people became residents there."
"So I think this neatly-dressed Indian cavalry can only belong to the Sleeping Bear clan."
After hearing this, everyone still found it unbelievable.
"Donivan, I remember you used to be a lawyer." An officer said with a smile.
Donifan was stunned for a moment: "Yes, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I almost thought you were a bard in the past."
Donifan shrugged, "Although this does sound like a story from a novel, at least three Indian chiefs have told me almost the same description."
General Carney then said, "Well, we're going to find out the truth soon."
The Indian cavalry on the opposite side had already come close, only a few dozen meters away from them.
Then the cavalry slowly split into two parts a few steps apart, with most of them in the back and a dozen in the front.
The one walking in front was an Indian youth who looked to be in his twenties and had a handsome appearance.
This young man was incredibly burly, riding a ferocious black horse, with nine eagle feathers on his head. It was easy for anyone to see that he was definitely a powerful warrior who was invincible on the battlefield.
General Kearney had seen many powerful Indian warriors, some of whom he had personally killed.
In his view, the strength of a wild bull is meaningless and even a symbol of stupidity and arrogance. He deeply believes that there are many muscular ruffians in the army, and they always have the arrogance of the flesh written on their faces, which makes him feel extremely disgusted.
To this end, he also invented a set of "levels of wisdom" - only fools would yearn for developed muscles, slightly smarter people should practice shooting, smarter people should master tactics, and of course the smartest people should be able to strategize like him.
By this standard, his thin figure was insignificant, and what was contemptible were the rough men who disgusted him.
But at this moment, looking at the Indian youth walking slowly towards him, he felt almost no contempt or disdain in his heart.
Because in addition to the extremely strong muscles, General Kearney also vaguely felt something else in this Indian youth.
Something he couldn't quite put his finger on.
If anything, he could only be described as "bookish" or "gentlemanly". At least, this Indian seemed to be unconcerned about his physical strength.
No one would dare to look down on a person who has strong muscles but doesn't care about them, because it is obvious that such a person has a power far more powerful than muscles.
As the Indians stopped, Carney also rode forward a few steps: "Indians."
"European." He responded in fluent English.
Ma Shao has now become an English expert after practicing for a year and a half. With the help of a lot of oral communication in real life, he has learned more in the past year and a half than he did in the past ten years.
General Carney frowned slightly: "We are not Europeans."
"We are not Indians either." Ma Shao smiled.
The colonists knew that Native Americans were not Indians, but they didn't care and still used the term. In fact, many Indians themselves didn't care either. It was not until later generations that the term was gradually regarded as impolite.
General Carney was silent for two seconds: "Are you Apaches?"
"Yes," said Ma Shao, neither humble nor arrogant, "General Stephen Kearney from Fort Leavenworth."
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