They're not going to venture far from their base, which is that inn and
post-office, where they have been rummaging my mail. I haven't studied
the hills for nothing, and I know short cuts about here that are not on
maps. They haven't followed the railroad north, because the valley
broadens too much and there are too many people. There's a trail up here
that goes over the ridge and down through a wind gap to a settlement
about five miles south of Lamar. If I'm guessing right, we can cut around
and get ahead of them and drive them back here to my land."

"To the Port of Missing Men! It was made for the business," said
Claiborne.

"Oscar, patrol the road here, and keep an eye on the bungalow, and if you
hear us forcing them down, charge from this side. I'll fire twice when I
get near the Port to warn you; and if you strike them first, give the
same signal. Do be careful, Sergeant, how you shoot. We want prisoners,
you understand, not corpses."

Armitage found a faint trail, and with Claiborne struck off into the
forest near the main gate of his own grounds. In less than an hour they
rode out upon a low-wooded ridge and drew up their panting, sweating
horses--two shadowy videttes against the lustral dome of stars. A keen
wind whistled across the ridge and the horses pawed the unstable ground
restlessly. The men jumped down to tighten their saddle-girths, and they
turned up their coat collars before mounting again.

"Come! We're on the verge of morning," said Armitage, "and there's no
time to lose."

CHAPTER XXIV

THE ATTACK IN THE ROAD

Cowards and laggards fall back; but alert to the saddle,
Straight, grim and abreast, vault our weather-worn galloping legion,
With a stirrup-cup each to the one gracious woman that loves him.

--Louise Imogen Guiney.

"There's an abandoned lumber camp down here, if I'm not mistaken, and if
we've made the right turns we ought to be south of Lamar and near the
railroad."

Armitage passed his rein to Claiborne and plunged down the steep road to
reconnoiter.

"It's a strange business," Claiborne muttered half-aloud.

The cool air of the ridge sobered him, but he reviewed the events of the
night without regret. Every young officer in the service would envy him
this adventure. At military posts scattered across the continent men whom
he knew well were either abroad on duty, or slept the sleep of peace. He
lifted his eyes to the paling stars. Before long bugle and morning gun