d to
drop everything and ride to save their lives.

As soon as Captain Moore had made his report, another detachment was
sent out, to follow the desperadoes, if they could be found. This
detachment was fifty strong and under the leadership of Lieutenant
Carrol. The lieutenant was a man who had met numerous desperadoes in his
time, and it was felt that he could do the work much better than the
average soldier.

CHAPTER XII.

DEER HUNTING.

With his brother at hand, Joe felt much more at home than formerly, and
the captain's presence also made a difference to his cousin. Old Benson
remained at the fort for the time being, and did what he could to please
the boys.

He took an especial interest in their shooting, and would often set up a
target on the prairie for them to practice on.

"You'll do first-rate in a little while," he said. "And as Lambert says
you take to drilling, it won't be long afore you're both out-and-out
soldiers."

"I don't know as I care to be a regular soldier," answered Darry. "I
wouldn't mind it for a while, but to enlist for five years--why, that's
another thing."

"Lambert has enlisted four times. When his time is out he'll be in
service twenty years."

"And yet he is only a private," put in Joe.

"He is content, and doesn't want to go any higher. He likes the life,
and he told me not long ago that he wouldn't know what to do with
himself if he was out of Uncle Sam's employ."

One day after another passed, until the boys had been at the fort a
little over a week. They now knew the drills and the "time-card" as well
as anybody, and often practiced on the apparatus in the gymnasium.

"It's not so bad, after you once get used to it," said Joe. "The men are
a good deal of company for each other."

"It's odd to see so many men and so few women," returned Darry.

"Some of the men don't want any women around, so I've been told. They
are like some of the old-time miners who used to move out of camp as
soon as a dress-skirt showed itself."

One day Captain Moore and old Benson got permission to go off on a hunt,
and took the boys along. All of the party were mounted, and each carried
a saddle-bag with part of the necessary camping outfit.

"If it's possible to do so, I'll show you some big game," announced the
old scout. "Although I'll allow big game is mighty scarce, even in these
parts."

"Have the hunters shot down everything?" asked Joe.

"A good bit, lad. You see, many