romise him safe conduct?" asked Bentley.

"He did not ask it," was the answer.

Two hours later, once more safe at the post, the doctor had stowed his
weary patient in bed, renewed the dressing and bandages, and was
bidding him try to sleep, but Harris smiled. "You'll need me to
translate," said he. "The general's message to Turner is being written
now. Let us finish this while we're about it."

Sure enough. Toward half-past one the sentries on Numbers Six and Seven
set up a shout for the corporal of the guard, and an Indian girl,
trembling a bit, was led to the office, and half the garrison knew that
word was in from 'Tonio. The general took his messenger kindly by the
hand. Food and chocolate were in readiness at the Mess, but she shook
her head. "Capitan Chiquito," she insisted, and then was conducted up
the line, and, shrinking not a little, was led into the doctor's
quarters. There, at sight of Harris, she instantly stepped to his
bedside, knelt, and taking his weary hand, placed it on her head. He
whom 'Tonio held in reverence, his followers could but blindly obey.

To his question in her own tongue, "Where is 'Tonio?" she answered,
"Toward the moon, now two hands high. When it is straight above Pancha
can reach him again." "Is 'Tonio well?" "'Tonio is well, but--others
brought Pancha. They say they are afraid that soldiers shoot. They
await Pancha's returning."

Evidently, despite the kindness in every face, the girl still feared
the white man and wished to be gone. "He has sent her, general," said
Harris. "Whatever you wish to send now to Turner will go through, if
'Tonio is not killed in the attempt."

And so, with unexpected burden of food and gifts and with a brief
despatch to Turner, bidding him hasten with his entire force, the
dusky, fleet-footed daughter of the mountain was led back to the
stream, went bounding lightly across from stone to stone, and
disappeared among the shadows toward the east.

"And now," said Harris, "Deltchay and Skiminzin may come as soon as
they like. Turner will get here in time, and then--you may judge as to
'Tonio."

And this was Saturday night or rather Sunday morning, not yet one full
week since Willett was brought in swearing he saw 'Tonio take
deliberate aim at him, although only the horse was shot, and as matters
stood in the gross and scope of garrison understanding, the weight of
presumptive evidence was against the Apache, and there was more to
come.

C