ees, fur all the officers, an' they're buildin'
lean-tos here to protect the soldiers an' the hosses. A lot uv the
fellers hev brought forage down on thar own hosses fur yourn."

"Mr. Reed," said the colonel, gratefully, "you and your men are true
friends. But there's no danger of an ambush here?"

"Nary a chance, colonel. We've got watchers on the mountings, men that
hev lived here all thar lives, an' them gorillers hev about ez much
chance to steal up on us ez the snowflakes hev to live in the fires thar."

"That being so, we'll all alight and prepare for the night."

When Dick sprang from his horse he staggered at first, not realizing how
much the cold had affected him, but a little vigorous flexing of the
muscles restored the circulation, and, when an orderly had taken their
mounts, his comrades and he went to one of the fires, where they spread
out their hands and basked in the glow.

They had brought food on extra horses, and expert cooks were at work at
once. Colonel Winchester knew that if his men had plenty to eat and good
shelter they would be better fitted for the fierce work before them,
and he spared nothing. Bacon and ham were soon frying on the coals and
the pots of coffee were bubbling.

The horses were put behind the high trees which formed a kind of windrow,
and there they ate their forage, and raised their heads now and then to
neigh in content. Around the fires the hardy youths were jesting with
one another, and were dragging up logs, on which they could sit before
the fires, while they ate their food and drank their coffee. Far over
their heads the wind was screaming among the ridges, but they did not
heed it nor did they pay any attention to the flakes falling around them.
The sheltered cove caused such a rebound after the long cold ride that
they were boys again, although veterans of a hundred battles large and
small.

Dick shared the exaltation of the rest, and had words of praise for the
mountaineer who had guided them to so sheltered a haven. He had no doubt
that his famous ancestor, Paul Cotter, and the great Henry Ware had often
found refuge in such cosy nooks as this, and it pleased him to think that
he was following in their steps. But he was surrounded by comrades and
the great fires shed warmth and light throughout the whole basin.

"It's a good log house," said Warner, who had been investigating, "and
as it's two stories, with two rooms on each floor, a lot of us can slee