CHAPTER XI.

We start for the railroad--Arrival at Centerville--Arrival of a courier from Sturgis--March to Plattsburg--Orders from Sturgis--Turn toward Kansas City--Night at Smithville--March resumed toward Liberty--Sturgis retreats three days from an enemy who does not pursue--We think his pursuers turn against us, and turn to the west to elude them--Strike the Missouri at Parkville and prepare to cross on a flatboat--A steamboat arrives and conveys us to Leavenworth--We return next day to Wyandotte--Our stay at Wyandotte--Move to Kansas City--Arrival of Lane's Brigade--Comparison between Lane and Sturgis--They quarrel about precedence in rank--Lane moves out of town--Hospitality of the citizens 152