the tail of my eye, but I reckon
they was of the kintry south of the Arkansas, along the Canadian."

Hamlin sat down beside him, staring across the big room.

"Then it's Black Kettle; his band is down on the Washita," he
announced. "I hope it's true."

"They 're arrangin' supply depots, anyhow; six companies of infantry
are on Monument Creek, and five troops of cavalry on the North Canadian
a'ready. Wagon trains have been haulin' supplies. There 's some stiff
work ahead when the snow flies, or I miss my guess."

Hamlin sat silent, thinking, and the scout smoked quietly, occasionally
glancing toward his companion. Finally he spoke again, his voice
barely audible.

"That little girl you sent in with us is here yet."

The Sergeant was conscious that his cheeks flamed, but he never looked
up.

"Yes, I saw her as we came in."

"She 's asked me about you once or twice; don't seem to forget what you
did for her."

"Sorry to hear that."

"No, yer not; could n't no man be sorry to have a girl like that take
an interest in him. 'T ain't in human nature. What did yer tell her
about me?"

"Tell her!" surprised. "Why, I only advised her to hang close to you
if anything happened. I didn't exactly like the style of the
Lieutenant."

"Thet's wat I thought. Well, she's done it, though thet has n't pried
her loose from Gaskins. He 's hauntin' her like a shadow. It 's
garrison talk they 're engaged, but I ain't so sure 'bout thet. She
an' I hev got to be pretty good friends, though, o' course, it's
strictly on the quiet. I ain't got no invite to officers' row yit.
She 's asked me a lot 'bout you."

"Interesting topic."

"Well, I reckon as how she thinks it is, enyhow. Yesterday she asked
me 'bout thet scrimmage yer hed down on the Canadian. She 'd heerd
'bout it somehow, an' wanted the story straight. So I told her all I
knowed, an' yer oughter seed her eyes shine while I wus sorter paintin'
it up."

"Oh, hell; let's drop it," disgustedly. "The Lieutenant here yet?"

"Sure; his company is down on Monument, but he got special detail. He
's got a pull, Gaskins has."

"How is that?"

"His old man is Senator, or something, an' they say, has scads o'
money. Enyway, the kid finds the army a soft snap. First scoutin'
detail he ever had when you met him. Did n't hunt no danger then, so
fur as I could see. Nice little dude, with a swelled head, but popular
with the ladies. I reckon McDonald ain't ob