usts that you are doing everything possible to comfort and
reassure Mrs. Hay, and that you can send good news of Lieutenant
Field.

And this when he had just refused to remove the sentries or to visit
Mrs. Hay:--this when he had just been told by Dr. Waller that Lieutenant
Field was distinctly worse.

"He is simply fretting his heart out here," were the doctor's words to
him but a short time before, "and, while unable to mount a horse, he is
quite strong enough now to take the trip by ambulance, slowly, that is,
to Rock Springs. I fear his father is failing. I fear Field will fail if
not allowed to go. I recommend a seven days' leave, with permission to
apply to Omaha for thirty--he'll probably need it."

"I can't permit government teams and ambulances to be used for any such
purpose," said the major, stoutly. "It is distinctly against orders."

"Then, sir, he can go in my spring wagon and we'll hire mules from Mrs.
Hay," was the doctor's prompt reply. "He can do no good here, major. He
may do much good there."

But Flint was full of information and official zeal. The matter of
Field's going had been broached before, and, when told of it, the
Wilkins pair had been prompt with their protests. "Of course he'd be
wantin' to get away," said Wilkins, "wid all that money to account for,
let alone these other things." The Irishman was hot against the young
West Pointer who had derided him. He doubtless believed his own words.
He never dreamed how sorely the lad now longed to see his father,--how
deep was his anxiety on that father's account,--how filled with
apprehension on his own, for that rifled desk had brought him reason for
most painful thought. Wilkins and Field had been antagonistic from the
start. Neither could see good in the other and, egged on by his worthy
spouse's exhortations, the quartermaster had seized the opportunity to
fill the post commander's too receptive mind with all his own
suspicions--and this at a crucial time.

"I can't listen to it, Dr. Waller," said the major, sternly. "Here's a
matter of near a thousand dollars that young man has got to answer for
the moment he is well enough to stir. And if he can't account for
it--you well know what my duty will demand."

CHAPTER XIX

A SLAP FOR THE MAJOR

The columns of Colonel Henry and Major Webb, as said "the Chief," had
united, and here were two men who could be counted on to push the
pursuit "for all they were worth." Hithert