r missed the warpath when the Sioux were afield,
or the consolation trip to Washington between times. Where Stabber went
his young men followed unquestioning. It was a marvel that Kennedy had
succeeded in getting through. It meant that the Indian runners, or the
Indian smokes and signals, had not at once so covered the country with
scouts that couriers could by no possibility slip between them. But now
the signal fire was gleaming at Eagle Butte, and an answering blaze had
flared from Stabber's camp. Invisible from Fort Frayne, they had both
been seen by shrewd non-commissioned officers, sent scouting up the
Platte by Major Webb within half an hour of the coming of the alarm.

"Ray will push ahead at once," said Webb, to his silent subordinates.
"You see Colonel Plodder has only two troops up there, and he will need
all his infantry to defend the post. I've wired to Laramie and to
Department Headquarters, and further orders will come before noon. Let
all the cavalry be ready. Then if we push out, Dade, we leave Fort
Frayne to you. They'll hardly venture south of the Platte this time."

"Is--Mr. Field going with Captain Ray?" presently ventured young Ross,
who knew Ray had but one subaltern for duty at the moment, and whose
soul was burning with eagerness to accompany the first troop to take the
field.

"No," said the major, shortly. "Captain Ray needs no more."

"I only asked because Field isn't here, and I thought--maybe--" stumbled
Ross, ingloriously, but the mischief was done.

"Mr. Field is--busy," answered the major, still more shortly, then
reddened to his bushy brows, for at the doorway, in riding dress, and
with a face the color of parchment, stood the officer in question. It
was a moment that threatened panic, but Webb met the crisis with marked
aplomb.

"Oh, Field," he cried, "there's another matter. I want two good men to
slip out at once and see how many of Stabber's people start or have
started. It may be daybreak before they can tell. Sergeant Schreiber
would be a tiptop man for one--and little Duffy. You 'tend to it."

And so, mercifully, he sent the lad away until the crowd should have
dispersed. Only Blake and Ray were with him when, after awhile, Mr.
Field returned and stood silently before them. Well he knew that the
post commander could hardly overlook the absence of his adjutant at such
a time.

"Have you anything to tell me, Field?" was the major's only query, his
tone full of gentle yet g