is life. "If we
are not willing to face death at any moment, we had no business to
enlist. Must I go alone?"

"Not much," was the unanimous response. "If you are bound to go, we are
going too."

"Leave your sabres and carbines here," commanded Bob. "They will only be
in the way. Draw revolvers, but don't shoot except in self-defence."

Bob knew as well as his men did that he was about to enter upon a very
perilous undertaking. Bristow had shown that he was desperate enough to
shoot, and he had even threatened that if he got another chance at Bob
he would make a better shot than he did before. Some of the men who were
with him were known to be hard characters, and it was very probable that
they would back him up in the resistance he seemed determined to make.
But Bob, having made up his mind as to the course he ought pursue, never
once faltered. He was a soldier, and a soldier's first duty was to obey
orders. He had been commanded to find the deserters and arrest them at
all hazards; and, having obeyed the first part of his instructions, he
was resolved to carry them out to the letter or perish in the attempt.

"Now I think we are all ready," said Bob, after the sabres and carbines
had been laid in the empty bunks and the revolvers drawn and examined.
"Stick close to me, and remember that if we don't take them they will
kill us. Bristow, Sandy and Talbot are the only men we have to fear, and
if we can only get the drop on them we are all right. Come on."

Although Bob was the youngest soldier, he was the calmest one of the
seven troopers who descended those steps. When he reached the bottom he
looked along the passage-way toward the dug-out, which was dimly lighted
by the sunbeams which streamed in through the loopholes on the western
side, and saw the deserters standing in line awaiting his approach.

"Halt!" cried a voice. "Come a step nearer and you are all dead men."

It was Bristow who spoke, and the words were followed by the ominous
click of the lock of his carbine.

CHAPTER V.

THE NEW SCOUT.

"Halt!" cried Bristow again. It was so dark in the passage-way that he
could not see the troopers, but the sound of their footsteps told him
that they were still advancing toward the dug-out. "That's twice," he
continued. "If I have to halt you the third time, I'll send a bullet out
there."

"Bristow, you had better not try that," answered Bob, without the least
tremor in his voice. "You have already do