ence of the welcome stimulant men began to thaw out, and
presently the firesides were merry with chaff and fun. A curious and
sympathetic group, to be sure, hovered about the survivors of the
hunters' camp, listening rather doubtfully to their tales, for the
tales had taken devious turns under cross-examination. But for the
bloody trappings of Pete Gamble's horse, telling mutely of tragedy, the
hunters might have met only contempt and scoffing. Indian scares were
old as the trails.

"Whose turn is it?" presently questioned the major, as Mr. Willard
started away. The adjutant halted and faced about:

"'D' and 'F' troops, sir."

"All right. One officer and twenty men from each will be enough."

And then came striding forward, with quick, elastic steps, a young
soldier in dark-blue campaign shirt and riding-breeches, a three weeks'
stubble on his clear-cut, sun-burned face, a field-glass slung over one
shoulder, a leather-covered note-book tucked away inside his
cartridge-belt. No sign of rank was visible about his dress, yet there
could be little doubt of it. The major looked up, smiling.

"Fast going for topographical notes yesterday, wasn't it, Mr. Connell?"

"I'm afraid so, sir. Indeed, I'm ashamed to submit them, but I wouldn't
have missed this scout for a month's pay, all the same."

"Well, we don't often see the engineers on this sort of duty. I'm glad
the general sent you along. What is it, captain?" he broke off, turning
to a gray-mustached, choleric-looking veteran who came suddenly upon
them, breathing rather hard.

"Major," began the stout man, impetuously, "this makes the third time
in ten days 'F' Troop's been ordered on side scout, or some part of it.
Now we're ordered back to hunt up what's left of that wagon camp,
and--"

"One moment, captain," interposed the commander, placidly. "You say
'we.' My orders are only one officer and twenty men."

"Well, I have only one officer with me, and _he_ don't belong," was the
querulous rejoinder. "He's simply a volunteer with the command, and so
utterly inexperienced that I consider it necessary to go myself. I
can't trust my men to a mere boy just out of school."

"That will do, Captain Garrett," said the major, promptly, yet with
absolutely unruffled tone and temper. "If _I_ can, _you_ may. Mr.
Graham has had more experience than you are aware of."

"Does Mr. Graham go--in command?" asked Connell, eagerly, as Captain
Garrett, silenced, but swelling with