once a lieutenant of infantry went out to
chase an escaping Indian Agent.

Old Smith, my cook, was not very satisfactory; he drank a good deal, and
I got very tired of the trouble he caused me. It was before the days of
the canteen, and soldiers could get all the whiskey they wanted at the
trader's store; and, it being generally the brand that was known in the
army as "Forty rod," they got very drunk on it sometimes. I never had
it in my heart to blame them much, poor fellows, for every human beings
wants and needs some sort of recreation and jovial excitement.

Captain Corliss said to Jack one day, in my presence, "I had a fine
batch of recruits come in this morning."

"That's lovely," said I; "what kind of men are they? Any good cooks
amongst them?" (for I was getting very tired of Smith).

Captain Corliss smiled a grim smile. "What do you think the United
States Government enlists men for?" said he; "do you think I want my
company to be made up of dish-washers?"

He was really quite angry with me, and I concluded that I had been
too abrupt, in my eagerness for another man, and that my ideas on the
subject were becoming warped. I decided that I must be more diplomatic
in the future, in my dealings with the Captain of C company.

The next day, when we went to breakfast, whom did we find in the
dining-room but Bowen! Our old Bowen of the long march across the
Territory! Of Camp Apache and K company! He had his white apron on, his
hair rolled back in his most fetching style, and was putting the coffee
on the table.

"But, Bowen," said I, "where--how on earth--did you--how did you know
we--what does it mean?"

Bowen saluted the First Lieutenant of C company, and said: "Well, sir,
the fact is, my time was out, and I thought I would quit. I went to San
Francisco and worked in a miners' restaurant" (here he hesitated), "but
I didn't like it, and I tried something else, and lost all my money, and
I got tired of the town, so I thought I'd take on again, and as I knowed
ye's were in C company now, I thought I'd come to MacDowell, and I came
over here this morning and told old Smith he'd better quit; this was my
job, and here I am, and I hope ye're all well--and the little boy?"

Here was loyalty indeed, and here was Bowen the Immortal, back again!

And now things ran smoothly once more. Roasts of beef and haunches of
venison, ducks and other good things we had through the winter.

It was cool enough to wear white co