saw you, but it doesn't tell me how I came to lose you in Galveston so
suddenly and mysteriously. If we had kept together a little while longer
we should have been all right, for I had scarcely missed you before I
ran against Mr. Gilbert--the friend to whom I wrote for money, you know.
If you belong at Fort Lamoine, what are you doing here?"

"Stake out your horse and mule and I will tell you all about it,"
answered Bob. "But first tell me what right you have to wear those
clothes."

"I am a United States scout," replied George. "At least, that was the
title under which I was sworn in, but it does not clearly explain the
duties that are expected of me. I am to act as guide to the troops when
they cross the river in pursuit of the raiders."

"Oh yes," exclaimed Bob; "I remember all about it now. I was off after
the hostiles when you came to the post and offered your services to the
colonel. When I came back I found that the men had a good deal to say
about our new scout, who, they said, looked about as much like a scout
as they looked like the queen of England; but I had no idea who he was;
and, seeing it's you, I'll not arrest you," he added with a
laugh.--"Great Caesar! that was the second close call I have had to-day."

"If I had had any idea that you were going to touch him I should have
warned you," said George. "It won't do for a stranger to come within
reach of him, and it's the greatest wonder in the world that he didn't
knock your brains out."

While the two friends were talking, George Ackerman, with the dexterity
acquired by long experience, relieved the mule of his heavy pack and
slipped the halter over his head, leaving the animal at liberty. Bob,
judging the mule by those unruly members of his species that were
employed in the quartermaster's department at the fort, stepped up and
attempted to lay hold of his foretop; but the animal dodged him very
cleverly, and, wheeling like lightning, sent both his heels at the boy's
head. The latter dropped just in time to escape the blow, but he felt
the "wind" of the heels in his face and heard them whistle close by his
ear.

"Does he always act that way when strangers approach him?" asked Bob as
he picked up his cap. "If he does, you need not be afraid that anybody
will steal him. I tried to catch him because I was afraid he would run
off."

"Oh, he'll not do that. I never think of staking him out, for he always
stays by my horse, and I can catch him anywhe