inchester regiment penned up here and driven to hiding by
a single brigand."

"It's not a jolt," said Warner, "it's a tragedy. Unless we get him we
can never live it down. We may win another Gettysburg all by ourselves,
but history and also the voice of legend and ironic song will tell first
of the time when Slade, the outlaw, held us all in the cove at the muzzle
of his rifle."

Colonel Winchester, although he did not show it, raged the most of them
all. The great taunt would be for him rather than his young officers and
troopers, and the blood burned in his veins as he watched the operations
of the sharpshooter on the ridges. One of his men had been killed,
three had been wounded, and all of them were compelled to seek shelter
for their lives as none knew where Slade's bullet would strike next.
In his perplexity he called in Reed, the mountaineer, who fortunately was
in camp, and he suggested that they send out a group of men through the
entrance, who might stalk him from the far side in the same way that they
had crushed his band.

"But how are they to climb on the smooth ice?" asked the colonel.

"Wrap the feet uv the men in blankets, an' let 'em use their bayonets
for a grip in the ice," replied the mountaineer, "an' ef you don't mind,
colonel, I'd like to go along with the party. Mebbe I'd git a shot at
that big hat uv Slade's."

The idea appealed to the colonel, especially as none other offered,
and Warner, to his great delight, received command of the party detailed
for the difficult and dangerous duty. Several of the coarsest and
heaviest blankets were cut up, and the feet of the men were wrapped
in them in such manner that they would not slip on the ice, although
retaining full freedom of movement. They tried their "snow shoes"
behind the house, where they were sheltered from Slade's bullets, and
found that they could make good speed over the ice.

"Now be careful, Warner," said Colonel Winchester. "Remember that your
party also may present a fair target to him, and we don't wish to lose
another man."

"I'll use every precaution possible, sir," replied Warner, "and I thank
you for giving me this responsibility."

Then keeping to the shelter of trees he led his men out through the pass,
and the soul of Warner, despite his calm exterior, was aflame. Dick had
achieved his great task with success, and, in the lesser one, he wished
to do as well. It was not jealousy of his comrade, but emulation,