ife."

"He is indeed a bright boy, and I have noticed a certain refinement of
manner and precision of speech not common to men in the ranks. I must
inquire about him."

The two "music boys," Teddy and Reddy, were fast friends and constant
companions. They made common cause in all quarrels and disputes, and to
ill-treat one was to ill-treat both. Teddy was frequently in trouble,
and his friend often pleaded for him at headquarters. Indeed, the
Adjutant frequently declared that "but for that rampageous young Celt,
Carter would never be in trouble." He was quiet by nature, and
punctilious in the observance of the most exacting requirements of
discipline; while Teddy, through carelessness, was now and then
subjected to punishment. Mrs. Maloney, while bestowing a tender mother's
love upon her darling son, entertained a kindly regard mingled with
great respect for his friend, and looked after Reddy's clothing and
belongings quite as carefully as after Teddy's.

Reddy divided the duty of mail-carrier and office orderly with his
fellow-musician, yet it rarely happened that one rode without the
other's company. An indulgent corral-master had obtained the consent of
the quartermaster to allow two "surplus animals" to be used exclusively
by the boys, provided they would take care of them.

On reaching the river the boys drew up before two tents pitched in a
small grove of cottonwoods upon the grassy bank, and occupied by a
corporal and three privates, whose duty it was to keep the cattle of the
neighboring ranchmen from trespassing upon the meadows of the military
reservation.

The lads dismounted, Teddy going to the corporal's tent to deliver the
Adjutant's letter. But the corporal was not in, having gone with two of
his men to drive some cattle out of the bottom.

"I will take the letter to Corporal Duffey, Ted," said Redmond, "while
you row over with the mail-bag. Row well up stream before you attempt to
cross, so as not to get sucked into the rapids."

"All right," replied the orderly; "and when I come back we'll see which
can row the other round."

"That's already settled. I rowed you round the last two times," said
Reddy.

"Yes; one day when my wrist was lame, and the other when I had cut my
thumb."

"Anything ail you to-day?"

"I believe not."

"Then we will try it again; and be sure if I row you round, you are not
to lay your defeat to sprains, cuts, or rheumatism."

Redmond remounted his pony and started