was speaking. A
steward was remonstrating, and only vaguely at first, Field grasped the
meaning of his words:--

"The captain said you were not to try to follow, Kennedy, at least not
until Dr. Waller saw you. Wait till he gets here. He can't be three
miles back now."

"To hell wid ye!" was the vehement answer. "D'ye think I'd be
maundherin' here wid the whole command gone on afther thim bloody Sioux.
I've made my mark on wan o' thim, an' he's the buck I'm afther."

"He's made his mark on _you_, Kennedy," broke in a soldier voice. "You
mad fool, trying to tackle a chief like that--even if he was hit, for he
had his whole gang behind him."

"Sure he dared me out, an'--what's this he called me? a d----d whiskey
thafe!--me that niver----"

"Oh, shut up, Kennedy," laughed a brother Irishman. "You were full as a
goat at 'K' Troop's stables--Where'd ye get the whiskey if----"

"I'll lay you, Lanigan, when I get two hands agin, though I misdoubt wan
would do it. It's me horse I want now and lave to go on wid the capt'n.
Ready now, sir," he added, with sudden change of tone and manner, for a
tall, slender form came striding into the fire light, and Field knew
Blake at the instant, and would have called but for the first word from
the captain's lips.

"_Your_ heart's safe, Kennedy. I wish your head was. Your past master in
blasphemy out there won't eat it, at all events."

"Did ye get him, sorr,--afther all?"

"_I_ didn't. His English spoiled my aim. 'Twas Winsor shot him. Now,
you're to stay here, you and Kilmaine. The doctor may bring despatches,
and you follow us with the first to come." An orderly had led forth a
saddled horse, and Blake's foot was already in the stirrup. "They say
it was Red Fox himself, Kennedy," he added. "Where on earth did you meet
him before?"

"Shure, _I_ niver knew him, sorr," was the quick reply, as Blake's long,
lean leg swung over the big charger's back and the rider settled in
saddle.

"But he knew _you_ perfectly well. He dared you by name, when we closed
on them--you and Mr. Field."

And when an hour later the veteran surgeon came and knelt by the side of
the young officer reported seriously wounded, and took his hand and felt
his pulse, there was something in the situation that seemed to call for
immediate action. "We'll get you back to Frayne to-morrow, Field," said
Waller, with kind intent. "Don't--worry now."

"Don't do that, doctor," feebly, surprisingly moaned the fevered