--'Tonio himself!"

Then both men, the gray-mustached commander, the angering adjutant,
turned on the silent little subaltern, who stood there without having
so much as changed his attitude or lowered his glass.

"You hear that, Harris?" demanded Archer. And with calm respect, yet
almost exasperating drawl, came the unlooked-for answer:

"I was about to mention it--myself, sir. 'Tonio was certainly
there--and Turner close behind him. Look for yourself, sir!"

Look, indeed! Riding steadily down into the valley, still a long four
miles away, came the extended line of half a cavalry troop in skirmish
order, with the supports and reserves dotting the slope to their rear.
"Turner, as sure as shooting," said the general--"and 'Tonio as his
guide!"

CHAPTER XVIII.

The attack had ended almost as suddenly as it began. Darkness descended
upon the valley and every vestige of the Apache was gone with the
twilight. Long before time for tattoo the eager watchers in the
down-stream posts could hear muffled hoofbeats and low-toned words of
command along the still cautious skirmish line, and Turner came but
slowly, first because he could see that there was no occasion for
hurry; second, because, with his wounded to protect, there was every
objection to haste. Between that steadily advancing array and these
fire-spitting heaps of sand toward the post the Indians slid soundless
away into the gloom of the foothills, and presently shouts of greeting
and welcome re-echoed among the rocks, and Turner's men rode sturdily
up to the fords. By ten the last litter had been shouldered through the
swift waters and borne to the ready hospital, where Bentley and his
assistants went busily to work. Six of the men and two Hualpai scouts
had been more or less severely wounded, four of them being borne from
Tonto Creek on improvised stretchers made from saplings and blankets.
Shelter tents, or tentage of any kind, our men had no use for, save as
sunshades, in Arizona.

And with Turner came the first tidings to reach the beleaguered post
since the couriers were brought in, with their belated tales, from up
the Verde. Turner looked a trifle surprised at the warmth of his
greeting. Turner had had little idea of their being so closely
invested. Turner had sent two runners in with reports, and they both
returned safely, saying, "Almy all right, but plenty Tonto everywhere!"
One of them said he gave his despatch to 'Tonio, as he dare go no
far