d declared that if he was the one
who had disclosed their plot to the colonel, he was too mean for any
use, and ought to be drummed out of the fort.

"I promised that if I ever found out who the informer was I would serve
him worse than that," said Bristow in savage tones. "I shall keep my
promise, too, if I ever get the chance, for I am one who never forgets
an injury."

Bob Owens--who, as we know, was not wanting in physical courage--was not
at all alarmed by this threat and a good many others like it to which he
listened during the fifteen minutes the prisoners were occupied in
eating their breakfast. He believed that he was able to take care of No.
1; and when the critical time came, as it did a few weeks later, he
proved to the satisfaction of everybody that his confidence in himself
was not misplaced.

The court-martial was not long delayed, and the findings being approved
by the proper authorities, the sentences were promptly carried out. The
culprits were confined in the guard-house for different periods of time,
those who had been the most active in inducing their comrades to desert
serving a longer sentence than their victims, and fines were imposed
upon all of them, Bristow's being by far the heaviest, as he was proved
to be the ringleader. He and Gus Robbins--both of whom had been almost
constantly in trouble ever since they arrived at the post--were given to
understand that if they were detected in another attempt at desertion
they could make up their minds to see the inside of the military prison
at Fort Leavenworth. Bristow proved to be a first-class prophet. During
the progress of the trial it came out that Bob Owens was the one who
discovered the plot, and that through him it was communicated to the
colonel. Corporal Jim was of course reduced to the ranks, and Bob was
promoted to fill the vacancy.

During the next few weeks nothing of interest happened at the fort. The
deserters were released as fast as the terms for which they were
sentenced expired, some of them penitent and fully resolved to do better
in future, while the others were more than ever determined to escape
from military control, in spite of all the officers and guards that
could be placed around them. They carried out their determination, too,
at every opportunity, deserting in parties numbering half a dozen or so,
and they generally succeeded in eluding pursuit. It was a singular fact
that when the pursuers were commanded by commiss