op again.
But I don't know that I am sorry I have done with him and the
cattle-men."

The men made no further sign of hostility, and Cheyne turned to the
Sheriff. "Thank you," he said. "Now, I have to inform you that this
district is under martial law, and I have been entrusted, within limits,
with jurisdiction. If you and Mr. Clavering have any offences to urge
against Grant, I shall be pleased to hear you. In that case you can tell
your men to picket their horses, and follow me to our bivouac."

The two men dismounted, and while Hetty sat trembling amidst the birches
talked for half an hour in Cheyne's tent. Then, Clavering, who saw that
they were gaining little, lost his head, and stood up white with anger.

"We are wasting time," he said. "Still, I warn you that the State will
hold you responsible if you turn that man loose again. Our wishes can
still command a certain attention in high places."

Cheyne smiled coldly. "I shall be quite prepared to account for whatever I
do. The State, I fancy, is not to be dictated to by the cattle-men's
committees. It is, of course, no affair of mine, but I can't help thinking
that it will prove a trifle unfortunate for one or two of you that, when
you asked for more cavalry, you were listened to."

"Well," said the Sheriff dejectedly, "I quite fancy it will be; but I'm
not going to worry. The cattle-men made it blamed unpleasant for me. What
was I superseded for, any way?"

"Incapacity and corruption, I believe," Cheyne said drily.

Clavering stood still a moment, with an unpleasant look in his eyes, but
the Sheriff, who seemed the least disconcerted, touched his arm.

"You come along before you do something you will be sorry for," he said.
"I'm not anxious for any unnecessary trouble, and it would have been
considerably more sensible if I had stood in with the homestead-boys."

They went away, and Cheyne led Larry, who had been confronted with them,
back to where Hetty was sitting.

"I understand the men left your father behind, some distance back," he
said. "He was more fatigued than the rest and his horse went lame. Your
husband's case will have consideration, but I scarcely fancy he need have
any great apprehension, and I must try to make you comfortable in the
meanwhile."

Hetty glanced up at him with her eyes shining and quivering lips. "Thank
you," she said quietly. "Larry, I am so tired."

Cheyne called an orderly, and ten minutes later led her to a tent. "You