ir, as they longed for a fight with the plotters. But down
in their hearts they knew that Davidson had taken the wisest course in
dealing with the Indians. With Flazeet and Rauchad out of the way,
they felt certain that the gang would give no further trouble.

The Colonel found it impossible to keep up with his companions, so he
and Dane walked more slowly some distance in the rear. It was
difficult for the young courier to restrain his steps, as he longed to
speed like the wind to the one he believed was anxiously awaiting his
coming. But he would not leave the Colonel who was weary after his
trying experience.

"This has been too much for me," the latter confessed, as he paused and
rested for a few minutes. "I am sorry to detain you, for I know how
you long to be on ahead with the others. It is good of you to stay
with me."

"Don't you remember our agreement?" Dane asked.

"What agreement?"

"The one we made out in the hills, of course, that 'While the grass
grows, the sun shines, and the water flows we will be friends.' Friends
help one another, do they not? Although I am anxious to get to the
settlement, yet I could not think of leaving you to lose yourself in
the woods. I would never forgive myself, and what would Jean think of
me?"

"She thinks a great deal of you now, young man, and I believe you are
worthy of her regard."

"I hope I am, and for her sake, at least, I am glad that my life has
been clean. I have travelled in strange ways, and lived at times among
base and vicious men, but I have always kept myself apart from their
evil doings. I owe it all to my mother's teaching and influence."

"She must have been a noble woman," the Colonel remarked, as he resumed
his journey.

"She was," Dane replied, "and I know of but one who resembles her. You
know to whom I refer. Until I met Jean, I thought that my mother was
the only one who reached my ideal of what a woman should be. Since
meeting her, I have been very happy. Without her, the world would be
very dreary to me. But perhaps you cannot fully understand what I
mean."

"I understand better than you imagine," was the quiet reply. "When I
say that Jean is just like her mother, you can be assured that I
understand exactly what you mean."

The Colonel was very tired when he at length reached the settlement.
He and Dane were both surprised at the silence which reigned about the
place. They had expected to hear sounds of the rangers a