didn't send you to Fort Prescott
instead of sending Hank Leeson."

"You had a right to do as you pleased, captain."

"The truth of the matter is, Benson, I wanted you here. You brought Joe
and Darry to the fort, and those two boys need looking after. We are
going to have a fight, sooner or later. We may win, and if we do, all
right. But if we don't----"

"You want me to stand by the boys to the last?" put in the old scout
quickly.

"I do, Benson; and, no matter what comes, I want you to promise to do
your level best to save them, and see them safe back to the East. If the
worst comes I am willing to die fighting, but Joe must get out of it
somehow. If he doesn't it will break my mother's heart. And you must do
as well by Darry, for he is an only child."

The eyes of the old scout and the young captain met. Then Benson put out
his hand, which Captain Moore quickly grasped.

"I understand, captain. I'll do my best, and if those lads don't get
away it will be because Sam Benson aint alive to take 'em."

"As you are not a soldier you have a right to leave the fort as quickly
as you please," went on the young captain. "Therefore, if you see the
tide of battle turning against us, don't wait, but get the boys away as
speedily and as secretly as you can."

"I will, captain; but yourself----"

"Never mind me. Get the boys to a place of safety, and I know our family
and Darry's family will reward you well."

"I won't want any reward. I took to the lads from the start, and I'll
stand by 'em through thick and thin," said old Benson.

There was but little sleeping done in the fort that night. The majority
of the soldiers slept on their arms, expecting an alarm at any moment.
Yet it did not come, and the sun rose on a scene of perfect peace and
quiet.

But at eight o'clock a sentinel announced a horseman approaching,
bearing a white flag.

"So they want to talk, eh?" said the young captain. "All right, anything
to gain time."

The flag of truce was promptly answered, and as the horseman came closer
many recognized Matt Gilroy. The young captain went out himself to meet
the leader of the desperadoes.

"Good-morning, Captain Moore," began the desperado, with a regular
military salute.

"What brings you?" demanded the captain abruptly.

"Well, I thought we had best come to terms--that's what brought me."

"Terms about what, Gilroy?"

"Terms about surrendering the fort and all of its contents."

"Surrendering?