dn't come prepared to take care of
injured men, but we will do the best we can for you.--We will get some
supper for you men, and when you feel so inclined you can spread your
blankets on the floor and go to sleep.--Go on, Carey."

At a sign from Bob the troopers followed Carey, who led the way along
the passage; then Talbot fell in, carrying his blanket over his
shoulder, and Bob brought up the rear. The trap-door was shut, and
Talbot was informed that the sleeping-room was to be his prison for the
night. His wound was dressed with some cold coffee that Bob happened to
have in his canteen, and the deserter was assured that there was no
cause for apprehension. The wound, which was scarcely an inch long, was
only skin-deep, but it bled profusely, and that was probably the reason
why Talbot was so badly frightened. When two sentries had been
posted--one at the door of the stable to keep an eye on Talbot, and the
other at the dug-out to see that the deserters who were confined there
did not attempt to work their way out during the night--Bob ordered
supper to be served at once. He had performed a brave act, and now that
the danger was over he began to realize that he had passed through
something of an ordeal. He lifted his cap, and found that his forehead
was covered with great drops of perspiration.

"You have done well," said Carey, extending his hand to Bob when the
latter came out of the sleeping-room. "I didn't know you had so much
pluck. I shall take particular pains to see that the lieutenant hears of
this day's work."

"He will tell you that I did nothing but my duty," replied Bob, who was
very glad to know that his men were satisfied with his conduct.

"But it isn't everybody who is brave enough to do his duty," said Carey
as he touched a match to the light-wood he had piled in the fireplace;
"and perhaps the lieutenant will say that you ought to be a sergeant.
That _was_ Bryant back there in that squatter's cabin, wasn't it? I
looked for him the minute we entered the dug-out."

"So did I," answered Bob, "and I saw at a glance that he wasn't there.
We will attend to him to-morrow."

"But perhaps he won't be there."

"I think he will. It is my opinion that he has hired out to that
squatter, and that he intends to trust to disguise to escape
recognition. A man in citizen's clothes doesn't look much like the same
man in uniform; did you ever notice that? But even if he isn't there,
what odds does it make to u