has turned
traitor!"

"That," said Harris, "I will not believe for an instant."

They brought General Archer to see him, and the grave-faced old soldier
bent kindly over the impatient and incredulous junior. "It is even as
Bentley tells you, lad," said he. "Only one messenger has been able to
come or go through their lines since the demoralized pair that got in
from Verde, and they can't be hired to try again. We are hemmed in and
helpless until our cavalry return. Willett will tell you he saw 'Tonio
fire the shot that killed his horse and was meant to kill him. 'Tonio
has intercepted messengers between Turner and me, and killed, I
believe, at least one messenger. You must be patient or you will throw
yourself into a fever and set you back a month. We've simply got to act
on the defensive, guard the post and the women until relief comes. By
this time, of course, General Crook himself is somewhere in the field,
and any moment may bring him; then our Apache friends, hereabouts, will
have to hunt their holes."

"General Archer," said Harris, commanding himself with evident effort
and striving to speak with his accustomed deliberation, "I have not
seen Willett, but, if I had, I should refuse to believe that 'Tonio
fired at him. The Apache-Mohaves may be with the hostiles at last, but
not 'Tonio. There is some reason for his absence that we cannot fathom.
They may have killed him for his loyalty to us, but loyal he is at
heart, no matter how much appearances are against him."

"We'll hope so," said Archer, "but for the present, do as Bentley bids
you and stay quiet," and the commander rose to go.

But Harris, too, was on his feet, steadying himself with one hand on
the back of his chair. "You will pardon me, will you not, sir, if I ask
a question? You say you have been unable to communicate with Stannard
or Turner. Stannard is, probably, too far away, but if Turner's wounded
are over on Tonto Creek, he can be reached. Have you tried signalling?"

"Signalling? We've got some flags and torches somewhere, but I believe
that----"

"I don't mean that, sir. No one with Turner would understand if we had.
I mean smoke signals--Indian."

"No," said Archer slowly. "No one but Indians could say what they
meant, even if any one here knew their confounded code. Do you?"

"I know enough at least to call 'Tonio; and unless he is dead or
spirited away, he'll answer. Then we can get word to Turner."

Archer turned back. He was al