quarters. Neale hurried up.

"Good morning, Neale," said the chief, grimly. "You're back on the job,
all right."

And Colonel Dillon added, "A little action to celebrate your return,
Neale!"

"What's happened?" queried Neale, shortly.

"We just got a telegraph message: 'Big force--Sioux.' That's all. The
operator says the wire was cut in the middle of the message."

"Big force--Sioux!" repeated Neale. "Between here and Benton?"

"Of course. We sent a scout on horseback down along the line."

"Neale, you'll find guns inside. Help yourself," said General Lodge.
"You'll take breakfast with us in the cabin. We don't know what's up
yet. But it looks bad for us--having the women here. This cabin is no
fort."

"General, we can have all those railroad ties hustled here and throw up
defenses," suggested the officer.

"That's a good idea. But the troopers will have to carry them. That
work-train won't get out here today."

"It's not likely. But we can use the graders from the camp up the
line... Neale, go in and get guns and a bite to eat. I'll have a horse
here ready for you. I want you to ride out after those graders."

"All right," replied Neale, rapidly. "Have you told--Do the women know
yet what's up?"

"Yes. And that girl of yours has nerve. Hurry, Neale."

Neale rode away on his urgent errand without having seen Allie. His
orders had been to run the horse. It was some distance to the next
grading camp--how far he did not know. And the possibility of his return
being cut off by Indians had quickened Neale into a realization of the
grave nature of the situation.

He had difficulty climbing down and up the gorge, but, once across it,
there was the graded road-bed, leading straight to the next camp. This
road-bed was soft, and not easy going for a horse. Neale found better
ground along the line, on hard ground, and here he urged the fresh horse
to a swift and steady gait.

The distance was farther than he had imagined, and probably exceeded ten
miles. He rode at a gallop through a wagontrain camp, which, from its
quiet looks, was not connected with the work on the railroad, straight
on into the midst of two hundred or more graders just about to begin the
day's work. His advent called a halt to everything. Sharply and briefly
Neale communicated the orders given him. Then he wheeled his horse for
the return trip.

When he galloped through the wagon-train camp several rough-appearing
men hailed him curiously.