my feet.

"You didn't do it! You didn't do it!"

"We're saved," I blatted. "Hurrah! We're saved! The soldiers are here."

Again the trumpet pealed, lilting silvery. She tottered up, clinging to
me. She stared. She released me, and to my gladly questing gaze her face
was very white, her eyes struggling for comprehension, like those of one
awakened from a dream.

"I must go back to Benton," she faltered. "I shall never get away from
Benton."

We stood mute while the blue-coats raced on with hearty cheers and brave
clank of saber and canteen. We were sitting composedly when the lieutenant
scrambled to us, among our rocks; the troopers followed, curiously
scanning.

His stubbled red face, dust-smeared, queried us keenly; so did his curt
voice.

"Just in time?"

"In time," I croaked. "Water! For her--for me."

There was a canteen apiece. We sucked.

"You are the two from the Mormon wagon train?" he asked.

"Yes, sir. You know?" I uttered.

"We came on as fast as we could. The Sioux are raiding again. By God, you
had a narrow squeak, sir," he reproved. "You were crazy to try it--you and
a woman, alone. We'll take you along as soon as my Pawnees get in from
chasing those beggars."

Distant whoops from a pursuit drifted in to us, out of the desert.

"Captain Adams sent you?" I inquired.

"Yes, sir."

"I will go back," I agreed. "I will go back, but there's no need of Mrs.
Montoyo. If you could see her safely landed at a stage station, and for
Benton----?"

"We'll land you both. I have to report at Bridger. The train is all right.
It has an escort to Bitter Creek."

"I can overtake it, or join it," said I. "But the lady goes to Benton."

"Yes, yes," he snapped. "That's nothing to me, of course. But you'll do
better to wait for the train at Bridger, Mr. ----? I don't believe I have
your name?"

"Beeson," I informed, astonished.

"And the lady's? Your sister? Wife?"

"Mrs. Montoyo," I informed. And I repeated, that there should be no
misunderstanding. "Mrs. Montoyo, from Benton. No relative, sir."

He passed it over, as a gentleman should.

"Well, Mr. Beeson, you have business with the train?"

"I have business with Captain Adams, and he with me," I replied. "As
probably you know. Since he sent you, I shall consider myself under
arrest; but I will return of my own free will as soon as Mrs. Montoyo is
safe."

"Under arrest? For what?" He blankly eyed me.

"For killing that man, sir. Captain Adam