Had he taken the gun out of the holster we'd have jumped down into the
cabin and taken it away from him. When he put the holster down, we
concluded the fellow had only picked it up in a moment's curiosity. Then
Binns and meself saw the lieutenant coming, and stepped away. I even
thought, at the time, sir, that the paper was something that Ruggles
had disturbed in the holster."

"Come with me to the guard-tent," ordered Captain Foster. "You, too, Mr.
Overton!"

"Ah, ye scoundrel, I'm sorry I didn't throw ye overboard last night!"
was Sergeant Kelly's warm greeting as his eyes fell upon Ruggles.

"Stand back, Sergeant. Don't use any violence on the prisoner,"
commanded Captain Foster.

Under the accusation that the sergeant poured forth Mr. Ruggles quickly
wilted. Then he became sullen, refusing to admit any of the charges.

"I'll take the word of a good sergeant and an honest soldier," announced
Captain Foster, turning and resting a hand on Hal's nearer shoulder.
"Mr. Overton, Ruggles can prefer his charges at his leisure, if he
wishes to, but as for me, until orders come from higher authority to the
contrary, I inform you that you are no longer confined to camp. If there
is time, Overton, you may run after the other young officers and go with
them. I'll watch the river to-night myself."

"I'm afraid I can't overtake them now, sir," replied Hal, who, at least,
was overjoyed at the appearance of this new and saving testimony. "I
don't know just which road they've taken."

"Bugler!" shouted Captain Foster. As the field musician came running up
he added: "Sound the recall. I think Prescott and the others will
understand that. Blow your hardest, Bugler. Give the call three times.
That will bring them back, but every man among them, Overton, will think
it worth while coming back briefly to add a fighting man like yourself
to their number!"

Two or three minutes later the four young officers could be made out,
coming back on the run.

At the same time one of the soldiers detailed at the telegraph office
came up on the run from another direction.

CHAPTER XXIII

IN THE THICK OF THE RIOT

"What is it, sir? _Troops_ ordered out?"

"_Yes!_" cried Captain Foster, joyously, after a brief glance at the
yellow sheet he had drawn from the envelope. "Listen. This order is from
Washington. The War Department, acting on a request from the governor
of Texas, has sent me the order direct to send twenty men and one o