hem again. Then, as it was almost morning,
he had thought best to return to his cabin, to ascertain how the boys
were faring.

"Which road were they near when you saw them last?" asked Lieutenant
Carrol.

"Over at Hunkwater's Rock," answered Leeson. "Moving toward the Knob."

"Humph! Then I am afraid Captain Moore won't round them up very
quickly."

"My brother didn't go near that trail?" questioned Joe.

"No, he's on a trail three miles further north. Still, the desperadoes
may turn north."

"That's so," said Leeson.

As there was nothing to keep them at the cabin, the boys were now
anxious to move on to the fort, and a short while later Lieutenant
Carrol set off. One private carried Joe and the other Darry; and, as the
horses were powerful beasts, good progress was made.

"Hurrah! The fort!" cried Joe, as he caught sight of a large flag waving
in the distance. He was right; and soon they could see the tall stockade
quite plainly. It was three hundred feet long by two hundred feet wide,
and surrounded by a ditch twelve feet deep. Inside of the stockade were
the fort proper and a dozen other buildings, including the officers'
quarters, the men's quarters, the messroom, hospital, and the gymnasium,
and also a good-sized stable.

"Why, it's a regular town in itself!" murmured Darry, when they got
inside.

"That's right, a town of exactly two hundred and seventy-five people,"
answered the lieutenant. "And of that number two hundred and sixty are
soldiers belonging to three companies, three are officers' wives, two
are Indian scouts, and the rest are cooks and other helpers."

Colonel Fairfield, a tall, dignified old officer, had been told of
their approach, and now came from the officers' quarters to meet them.

"I am glad to see you, boys," he said, as he shook hands warmly. "If the
story Benson told is true you have had quite a few adventures in
reaching here. I am sorry your brother is not here to meet you, Joseph;
but he was anxious to go after the Gilroy gang, and I let him have his
way."

"You haven't heard about all of our adventures, colonel," said Darry,
and told of the stolen horses.

"Worse and worse!" returned the colonel, stroking his mustache
thoughtfully. "That proves that the gang--or what is left of it--is as
desperate as ever. Those fellows will never give up until they are
either arrested or shot down."

"I hope my brother doesn't get into trouble with them," said Joe
anxiously.

"