theirs, I can stand more divisions than they can. I would
as soon whip them in detail as to whip them in a lump.--Earle, take a
dozen men from your troop and follow it up."

"Very good, sir," replied the lieutenant.

"Have you brought your signal-code with you? All right! If you discover
anything startling, send a courier to me with the fullest details. I
will follow along after the main body. Be cautious, but at the same time
keep moving, for we ought to be within striking distance of those
rascals in a few hours more."

The lieutenant saluted and rode back to the column, drawing his sword
as he went. Dropping the weapon behind the third column of fours, he
gave the order. "The first three fours, right by twos--march! Column
left--march!"

This brought the selected twelve alongside the new trail, which they at
once began to follow up at a gallop, waving their caps to their comrades
as they rode away. By selecting his men in this way the lieutenant did
not happen to take Bob Owens, who rode farther back in the column. The
young soldier, who was not in the habit of being slighted when there was
anything of this kind going on, was both surprised and provoked at his
officer; but he afterward thanked him for choosing his men as he did,
and congratulated himself on having been left behind. Mr. Wentworth
gazed longingly after the lieutenant, and sometimes seemed on the point
of riding in pursuit of him; but he finally made up his mind to stay
with the main column.

The troopers presently resumed the march, keeping up the same rapid pace
as before, and in a few minutes lost sight of Lieutenant Earle and his
party, who disappeared among the sandhills. The latter must have ridden
very swiftly, for shortly after noon they were a long distance from the
main body, their position being pointed out by a slender column of
white smoke that suddenly arose in the air.

"That's them varmints, cap," said the scout, whose eye was quick to
detect the signal. "They're talkin' to each other."

"I know there is somebody where that smoke comes from, but I am not sure
that they are hostiles," replied Captain Clinton. "On the contrary, I am
of the opinion that the men who built that fire want to talk to _me_. At
any rate, I shall soon know."

As the captain said this he pulled his watch from his pocket with one
hand, and with the other produced a note-book, which he held ready for
reference. The column was not halted, but the eye of ever