't like nicknames. What did they call you before you went into the
army? When--when you did know good women?"

The Sergeant bent his head, and then lifted his gray eyes to the girl's
face.

"I had almost forgotten," he confessed, "but I'll tell you--David
Carter Hamlin; there, you have all of it--my mother called me
Dave--could you, once?"

"Could I?" laughingly. "Why, of course; now, Dave, we will have
breakfast."

"And I am quite ready for it--Molly."

The girl's cheeks reddened, but their eyes met, and both laughed.

CHAPTER XI

A REMEMBRANCE OF THE PAST

Moylan must have had Miss McDonald in mind when he had stocked up with
food at Fort Dodge, and had therefore chosen all the delicacies to be
found at that frontier post. These were not extensive, consisting
largely of canned goods, which, nevertheless, made a brave show, and
were clearly enough not the ordinary fare of the border. Hamlin had to
smile at the array, but Molly handled each article almost with
reverence, tears dimming her eyes in memory.

"He--he bought these for me," she said softly, and looking across
reproachfully at the Sergeant. "It was the best he could do."

"I was not laughing at poor Moylan; only, I fear, he had a wrong
conception of a girl's needs on the trail. But I reckon our combined
appetites are equal to it."

"I do not feel as though I could swallow a mouthful."

"Under orders you will try. We have a hard day before us, young lady,
and some tramping to do afoot. I wish I knew where that horse I turned
loose last night has drifted to; into the bluffs, probably, where the
grass is green. He would be of some help just now. Try this, Miss
McDonald, for lack of something better. I yearn for ham and coffee,
but hardly dare build a fire yet. The smoke would be seen for miles
away."

"If we were across the river we could use the stage fire."

"Yes, but there is a wide river flowing between. Don't be afraid of
that trip," noting the expression of her face. "It will be easy enough
to cross back by daylight, now that I know where the danger spots are."

"I was not so terribly afraid last night; I hardly had time to realize
what was being done, did you?"

"Well, yes; it was risky business. Awfully treacherous bottom and I
was trusting to good luck."

The Sergeant ate heartily, speaking occasionally so as to divert her
mind, but for the most part, busily thinking and endeavoring to decide
his next move. H