at's she doing with a
man's? Besides, she'd have told me!"

"Oh! You've seen her then this morning? I thought perhaps she wasn't
up," hazarded Webb.

"Up? Why, hang it, she was up at daybreak--up hours ago, my wife says.
Haven't you seen her? She's over here somewhere?"

No, Webb had not seen her, and together the two started in search, first
to the flagstaff, and there at the point of bluff beyond the
Rays',--there she stood, gazing up the Platte toward the Indian village
through a pair of signal glasses that weighed heavily in her daintily
gloved hands. Captain Tracy, a bachelor assistant surgeon, stood
faithfully by her side, listening to her lively chatter, with ears that
absorbed and eyes that worshipped.

"Come away," said Webb. "I have an order on you for Field's currency in
your safe. When are you going to try to get your cash to bank?" And Webb
keenly eyed his man as he asked the question.

"To-morrow or next day sure,--even if I have to go part way with the
stage myself. When do you want this money?" said Hay, tapping the
envelope Webb had given him.

"Well, now, if agreeable to you. I prefer to keep such funds at the
quartermaster's. Oh--Good morning, Mrs. Ray!" he cheerily called,
lifting his cap, at sight of a young matron at an upper window. "Can you
see them still?" he added, for the elder of the two boys was peering
through a long telescope, perched on its brass tripod upon a little
shelf projecting from the sill. Many a time had the "Rays' spyglass"
been the last to discern some departing troop as it crossed the low
divide ten miles away to the north. Many a time had the first
announcement of "courier coming" reached headquarters through Master
Sandy, the first born of their olive branches. There were unshed tears
in the gentle voice that answered. There was wordless anxiety in the
sweet, pallid face that smiled so bravely through its sorrow. "The troop
passed out of sight quarter of an hour ago, major," said Mrs. Ray. "But
Sandy could see the flankers on their left until within the last five
minutes."

"_Way_ out on their left, major!" interposed that young gentleman, big
with importance. "If old Stabber tries any of his tricks with _that_
troop he'll--he'll get his belly full!" and Master Sandy plainly
intimated both in tone and manner, not to mention the vernacular of the
soldier, that Stabber might take liberties with any other troop or
company at the post, but would best beware of Daddy's.