unded, do you?" he asked.

"Not dangerously, general," was the reply. "It's--well, he seems to have
something on his mind." And more than this the doctor would not say. It
was not for him to tell the chief what Webb had confided ere he left the
post--that most of the currency for which Field was accountable was so
much waste paper. Field lay muttering and tossing in restless misery,
unconscious most of the time, and sleeping only when under the influence
of a strong narcotic. Dade, with sadness and constraint apparent in his
manner, hung back and did not enter the bare hospital room where, with
only a steward in attendance, the young soldier lay. The doctor had gone
with the general to the bedside, but the captain remained out of earshot
at the door.

First call for reveille was just sounding on the infantry bugles as the
trio came forth. "I have sent for Hay already, general," Dade was
saying, as they stood on the wooden veranda overlooking the valley of
the murmuring river; "but will you not come now and have coffee? He can
join us over at my quarters."

Already, however, the orderly was hurrying back. They met him when not
half way over to the line of officers' quarters. The few men for duty in
the two companies of infantry, left to guard the post, were gathering in
little groups in front of their barracks, awaiting the sounding of the
assembly. They knew the chief at a glance, and were curiously watching
him as he went thoughtfully pacing across the parade by the side of the
temporary commander. They saw the orderly coming almost at a run from
the direction of the guard-house, saw him halt and salute, evidently
making some report, but they could not guess what made him so suddenly
start and run at speed toward the southward bluff, the direction of the
trader's corral and stables, while Captain Dade whirled about and
signalled Sergeant Crabb, of the cavalry, left behind in charge of the
few custodians of the troop barracks. Crabb, too, threw dignity to the
winds, and ran at the beck of his superior officer.

"Have you two men who can ride hard a dozen miles or so--and carry out
their orders?" was the captain's sharp demand.

"Certainly, sir," answered Crabb, professionally resentful that such
question should be asked of men of the ----th Cavalry.

"Send two to report to me at once, mounted. Never mind breakfast."

And by this time, apparently, the chief, the post commander and possibly
even the aide-de-camp ha