ame Foot, the medicine-man, and
Chiefs Standing Buffalo, Canada John, and Shoot-at-the-Tree--all
ringleaders. Then the rest of the band will be put on a reservation. If
the Jamieson women are alive, and they send 'em in, I won't hang the
chiefs."

"When'll the command start?"

"Three hours after we get an interpreter. I've sent word up to Custer at
Lincoln. But the delay! Think what it means to those women!"

"It was about two women that I wished to speak," said Lounsbury. He felt
apologetic, however, the one danger was so trifling beside the other.

Colonel Cummings listened. "Those girls had better come here," he said,
as the storekeeper finished. "Then they'd be safe enough. I remember
seeing one of 'em the day we got back. She was a fine-looking young
woman."

"There are two arguments against their coming, sir. For legal reasons,
it's best they should not vacate the shack or leave the claim."

"I see."

"And, again, the father is--well, he's rather sore about the war."

"You don't say!"

"So, if you could give me a couple of men to take my place now and then
during the night--the situation is temporary, you see, the father'll be
back in a few days."

"There are very strong reasons against my acting in the matter. I'm here
to keep an eye on Indians. The settlers are expected to go to the civil
authorities when they have quarrels. Now, I'd like to mix up with Shanty
Town, for instance. Our guard-room is jammed with men who've been
drugged over there with vile whisky. Yet I can't. I can only punish my
men."

"I know that's so."

"Of course, I shan't see defenceless women suffer----"

Lounsbury was piqued. "Not altogether defenceless, Colonel. But I can't
stay at the shack----"

"True, true. Why not ask Mrs. Martin, Major Appleton's sister, to go
over. Then you might guard from the barn, if they have one."

"That's a splendid suggestion, sir. It would solve the difficulty."

"I'd be glad to speak to Mrs. Martin about it." He thought a moment,
passing a hand over his clean-shaven face. "You'd have to be relieved
even then, John, I should think."

"Not at all."

"But you might. In that case----" He drew Lounsbury close, and spoke
with his lips to the storekeeper's ear. "But you understand," he said
aloud as he concluded, "that I know nothing about it. If I hear of it, I
shall be very displeased, _very_."

Lounsbury was wringing his hand, and ready to bolt.

"All the same, John, I wish the civil