troop, or to annoy it by long-range fire if too weak to risk other
encounter. The command halted one moment at the crest to take one long,
lingering look at the now far-distant post beyond the Platte; then,
swinging again into saddle, moved briskly down into the long, wide
hollow between them and the next divide, well nigh three miles across,
and as they reached the low ground and traversed its little draining
gully, a muttered exclamation "Look there!" from the lips of the first
sergeant, called their attention again to the far left front. Stone,
the trooper who had reported the first Indian, had turned his horse over
to the second man, as had the corporal on that flank, and together they
were crouching up along the eastward face of a billowing hillock, while,
straight to the front Sergeant Scott, obedient to a signal from his left
hand man, was speeding diagonally along the rise to the north, for all
three advance troopers had halted and two were cautiously dismounting.
Ray watched one moment, with kindling eyes, then turned to his young
chief of platoons:

"Take your men, Field, and be ready to support. There's something behind
that second ridge!"

CHAPTER VII

BLOOD WILL TELL

As Webb had predicted, even before nine o'clock, came prompt, spirited
response from Laramie, where the colonel had ordered the four troops to
prepare for instant march, and had bidden the infantry to be ready for
any duty the general might order. From Omaha,--department
headquarters,--almost on the heels of the Laramie wire came cheery word
from their gallant chief: "Coming to join you noon train to-day.
Cheyenne 1:30 to-morrow. Your action in sending Ray's troop approved.
Hold others in readiness to move at a moment's notice. Wire further news
North Platte, Sidney or Cheyenne to meet me."

So the note of preparation was joyous throughout the barracks on the
eastward side and mournful among the married quarters elsewhere. But
even through the blinding tears with which so many loving women wrought,
packing the field and mess kits of soldier husbands whose duties kept
them with their men at barracks or stables, there were some, at least,
who were quick to see that matters of unusual moment called certain of
the major's stanchest henchmen to the office, and that grave and earnest
consultation was being held, from which men came with sombre faces and
close-sealed lips. First to note these indications was the indomitable
helpmate of