ght to it without
making any mistake?"

"Yes, sir, to both your questions," was the prompt reply.

"Very well. Take command of this squad and go and arrest Dodd, whom you
will find on guard there. Then put Carey in his place, and come back and
report to me at post No. 1, and I will tell you what else to do. The
countersign," added the lieutenant, coming a step nearer to Bob and
speaking in a tone so low that no one else could catch his words, "is
'Custer.' Be quick and still. Forward, march!"

As Bob moved away with his squad he told himself that fidelity is
sometimes appreciated. This was his first command, and he knew that much
depended upon the way in which he executed the orders that had been
given him. If they were faithfully and skilfully carried out, he might
hope to be entrusted with other commands in future, and so be given
opportunities to distinguish himself and win promotion; for Bob, like
every ambitious boy, was anxious to get ahead as rapidly as possible.

"What's the matter, Owens?" asked all the members of his squad in
concert as soon as they were out of the lieutenant's hearing. They were
all in the dark, and so was every man belonging to the expedition with
the exception of the lieutenant, the sergeant-major and Bob Owens. The
latter explained the state of affairs in as few words as he could, and
the general verdict was that it would have been no loss to the garrison,
or to the service either, if Bristow and his companions had been
permitted to depart in peace.

In a few minutes Bob and his men arrived within sight of the place where
the horses were staked out, and a hoarse voice broke the stillness.
"Halt! Who comes there?" was the challenge.

"Friends, with the countersign," answered Bob after bringing his squad
to a halt.

"Advance, one friend, and give the countersign," was the next command.

"Now, boys," said Bob in a low whisper, "you stay here, and when I call
out 'Advance, squad,' come up briskly and surround Dodd, so as to be
ready to overpower him if he shows the least disposition to resist or
cry out."

So saying, Bob moved off in the direction from which the hail sounded,
and presently discovered the sentry, who stood at "arms port."

"Halt!" commanded the guard when Bob had approached within a few feet of
him. "Give the countersign."

Bob whispered the magic word.

"The countersign is correct," said the sentry, bringing his carbine to a
carry.--"It's you, is it, Owens? What