ed the boys over. "Glad to
know ye, lads. I know Captain Moore downright well, and he's a good
soldier."

"I've got news, Hank," put in the old scout. "Joe fell in with Matt
Gilroy's gang down near Buckwater Run."

"What!" roared the old trapper. "Do you mean to tell me thet measly
crowd is around here ag'in?"

"Three of 'em are--Gilroy, Fetter, and a young fellow named Potts. I
think Potts comes from Denver."

"I know him. His father was Ike Potts, the card-sharp. Thet blood is
about as bad as any in the gang. What are they up to?"

"They are laying a trap for the quartermaster when he comes through with
the soldiers' money. Joe heard part of their talk by accident. Do you
know when the quartermaster is expected?"

"I do not. Ye see, ever since old Cap'n Bissile was held up the army
officers keep mum about the movements of the cash-box. I reckon they
have orders from Washington to do it."

"I want to warn Colonel Fairfield as soon as I can," went on the old
scout.

"Yes, he ought to be warned."

"Can you lend me a fresh hoss?"

"I can."

"Then I'll be off as soon as I've had a bit of supper. The boys can stay
with you all night, can't they?"

"They can, an' welcome," replied Hank Leeson.

"You are going to leave us?" queried Joe.

"Don't see any other way to do, lad. The sooner I get the news to the
fort the better. I'll come back in the morning after you--or send your
brother or somebody else."

"We can ride it alone, can't we?" questioned Darry.

"I wouldn't try it, if I were you. The trail is a rough one, and there
are several forks where you might go astray."

"Better stay with me, lads," put in Leeson. "I'll treat ye well, never
fear," and he smiled broadly.

"Thank you," returned Joe. "I was only thinking I'd like to see my
brother soon, that's all."

"A few hours more or less won't make much difference," said Darry. He
had looked around the trapper's cabin, and was interested. "Let us
wait." And so it was arranged.

It did not take long to get a bit of supper, and in less than half an
hour Sam Benson was off, astride of a powerful steed which had been Hank
Leeson's pride for years.

"Jest tell him to go to the fort," said Leeson, "and he'll carry ye thar
with his eyes shet," and he gave a parting salute to the old scout.

The cabin was a primitive affair of rough logs, with the chinks filled
with dried clay. It contained two rooms, each about twelve feet square.
Back of the cabin w