the squatter that you
suspect him of harboring one of your men, and that would put both him
and the deserter on their guard. But if that is your man, I am sorry for
it."

"Why are you?" demanded Bob, looking at his companion in great surprise.

"I mean that I am sorry you found him here," George hastened to explain,
"for the chances are that you will not take him without a fight.
Peasley--that's the name of the owner of the cabin--is a notorious
rough, and he would think no more of putting a bullet into you, if he
thought he could escape the consequences, than he would of knocking over
an antelope for breakfast."

"I thought he looked like that kind of a chap," said Bob. "Well, if he
wants a fight he can be accommodated at very short notice. That's my
man, and I am going to have him, squatter or no squatter."

As Bob gave utterance to this emphatic declaration he took the
field-glass, which George handed over to him, crept up to the top of the
ridge, and after taking a short survey of the cabin and its surroundings
came back to his friend's side again.

"I knew I couldn't be mistaken," said he. "I had a fair view of his
face, and as I have seen him every day for the last year, of course I
couldn't fail to recognize him. The squatter is sitting on the porch
smoking his pipe. Now, how shall I go to work to nab him? That's the
question."

"Ride straight up to him and tell him that you want him," answered
George. "I know of no easier way. I will go with you and see that
Peasley doesn't double-team on you."

"But Bryant will run into the house the moment he sees me," said Bob.

"Then run right in after him and pull him out again," answered George
promptly.

"I am almost afraid to do it. You see, the civil law is supposed to be
supreme, and we soldiers have to mind what we are about, or else
there'll be a big row raised about 'military despotism' and all that.
I'd have to surround the house and keep him in there until I could send
to the post and get authority from the colonel to go in after him. That
is something I shouldn't like to do, for I have carried this thing
through so far without help from anybody, and I want to complete the
work myself. If I should ask for advice, the colonel would probably send
a shoulder-strap down here to rob me of all the glory I have won," added
Bob with a smile.

"Oh, you needn't laugh over it," exclaimed George. "You have covered
yourself with glory. It isn't every fellow who wo