on
Hamlin's arm.

"I 'll do it for Miss McDonald, but not for the money," he said slowly.
"I expect orders every hour for your troop, and Wasson is detailed for
special service. But damn it, I 'll take the responsibility--go on,
and run those devils down."

Hamlin turned to the door; then wheeled about.

"You know this man Dupont, Colonel?"

"Only by sight."

"Any idea where he used to run cattle?"

"Wait a minute until I think. I heard McDonald telling about him one
night at the club, something Mrs. Dupont had let slip, but I did n't
pay much attention at the time. Seems to me, though, it was down on
the Canadian. No, I have it now--Buffalo Creek; runs into the
Canadian. Know such a stream?"

"I 've heard of it; in west of the North Fork somewhere."

"You think it was Dupont, then?"

"I have n't a doubt that he is in the affair, and that the outfit is
headed for that section. I don't know, sir, where those Indians came
from, or how they happened to be up here, but I believe they belong to
Black Kettle's band of Cheyennes. His bunch is down below the
Canadian, is it not, sir?"

"Yes."

"Dupont must be friendly with them, and this coup has been planned for
some time. Last night was the chance they have been waiting for. The
only mistake in their plans has been the early discovery because of
Miss Molly's disappearance. They have gone away careless, expecting
two or three days' start, and they will only have a few hours. We 'll
run them down, with good luck, before they cross the Cimarron. You
have no further instructions, sir?"

"No, nothing, Sergeant. You 're an old hand, and know your business,
and there is no better scout on the plains than Sam Wasson. Good-bye,
and good luck."

CHAPTER XXIV

IN PURSUIT

The four men, heavily armed, and equipped for winter service, rode up
the bank of the ravine to the irregularity of plain beyond. The trail,
leading directly south into the solitudes, was easily followed, and
Wasson, slightly in advance of the others, made no attempt to check his
horse, content to lean forward, his keen eyes marking every sign.
Scarcely a word was exchanged, since Hamlin had explained what had
occurred as they crossed the river. Hardly less interested than the
Sergeant, the sober-faced scout concentrated every energy on the
pursuit, both men realizing the necessity of haste. Not only would the
trail be difficult to follow after they attained the sand belt, b