d. I
presume you were endeavoring to reach his post when this unfortunate
affair occurred."

"Yes."

"Sheridan has ordered Devere abandoned for the present, and the Major's
troops are to return to Dodge. No doubt we shall be in the field
within a week or two. But we can cultivate acquaintance later; now I
must straighten out this affair." He bowed again, and turned stiffly
toward Hamlin, who had dismounted, his manner instantly changing. He
was a short, heavily built man, cleanly shaven, with dark, arrogant
eyes, and prominent chin.

"You are a sergeant of the Seventh, you said," he began brusquely.
"What were you doing here?"

"My troop is stationed at Fort Union," was the quiet response. "I
carried despatches to Devere, and while there was requested by Major
McDonald to intercept his daughter and turn her back."

"Were you subject to Major McDonald's orders?"

"It was not an order, but a request."

"Oh, indeed; a mere pleasure excursion."

"It has hardly turned out that way, sir, and conditions seemed to
justify my action."

"That is for others to determine. When was the attack made?"

"Just before sundown last evening. The driver and guard escaped on the
lead horses, and the wheelers ran away, wrecking the coach."

"There were four passengers?"

"Yes; we fought them off until after dark, although the Mexican was
killed by the first fire. I don't know when the other man got his."

"Who were they?"

"Gonzales ran a high-ball game at Santa Fe; the other, Moylan, was
post-sutler at Fort Marcy."

"How many Indians? Who were they?"

"About thirty; we must have killed five or six. It was hardly more
than daylight when they left, and I could not tell just how many bodies
they strapped on the ponies. They were a mixed bunch of young bucks,
principally Arapahoes, led by Roman Nose."

"Went west, hey?"

"Yes, sir."

The Lieutenant turned his gaze up the river, and then looked at Wasson,
who remained seated in the saddle.

"Must be the same lot Maxwell told us about up on Pawnee Fork, Sam," he
said at last. "He will be likely to cut their trail some time to-day.
We knew a bunch had headed south, but did n't suppose they had got as
far as this already. Better leave Maxwell to run them in, I suppose?
Our orders are to return to Dodge."

"They have n't three hours the start," ventured Hamlin in surprise,
"and cannot travel fast with so many of their ponies doubly loaded."

"That is for m