ay to find out. That fellow was a
Cheyenne all right, and there were three of them and two whites in the
party--see here; the prints of five horses ridden, and one animal led.
That will be the one McDonald had. They went straight up the opposite
bank of the ravine. If they leave a trail like that we can ride after
them full speed."

Carroll had been bending over the dead officer and now glanced up.

"There's sand just below, Sergeant," he said. "That's why they are so
darn reckless here."

"Of course; they'll hide in the dunes, and the sooner we 're after them
the better. Wade, you remain with the body; Carroll and I will return
to the fort and report. We 'll have to have more men--Wasson if I can
get him--and equipment for a hard ride. Come on, Jack."

They waded the river, and ran through the town, shouting their
discovery to the marshal and his posse as they passed. Twenty minutes
later Hamlin stood before the Colonel, hastily telling the story. The
latter listened intently, gripping the arms of his chair.

"Shot from behind, hey?" he ejaculated, "and his clothing stolen.
Looks like a carefully planned affair, Sergeant; sending that fellow
through to Ripley was expected to throw us off the track. That 's why
they were so careless covering their trail; expected to have several
days' start. It is my notion they never intended to kill him; had a
row of some kind, or else Mac tried to get away. Any trace of the
girl?"

"No; but she must have been there."

"So I think; got mixed up in the affair some way, and they have been
compelled to carry her off to save themselves. Do you know why they
were after Mac?"

"No, sir."

"Well, I do; he carried thirty thousand dollars."

"What?"

"He was acting paymaster. The money came in from Wallace last evening,
and he was ordered to take it to Ripley at once."

Hamlin drew in his breath quickly in surprise.

"Who knew about that, sir?"

"No one but the Adjutant, and Major McDonald--not even the orderly."

The eyes of officer and soldier met.

"Do you suppose he could have told _her_?" the former asked in sudden
suspicion.

"That would be my theory, sir. But it is useless to speculate. We
have no proof, no means of forcing her to confess. The only thing for
us to do is to trail those fugitives. I need another man--a
scout--Wasson, if he can be spared--and rations for three days."

The Colonel hesitated an instant, and then rose, placing a hand