say: "Willett admits he struck 'Tonio. What Indian ever
forgave that affront? He hates Willett as he loves Harris, and such an
Indian love is almost as strong as his hate. We have some reason to
think Willett no friend of Harris. 'Tonio went further and thought him
an enemy. Couple that with his own grievance and there's more than
sufficient motive for his crime."

The topic was too one-sided to be mildly interesting. Moreover, the
paymaster was coming, which overshadowed all minor considerations, and
Turner was to take twenty men and meet him midway over to McDowell, and
could have taken fifty had volunteers been called for, and the garrison
to a man would have offered to sally forth, "with mattock and with
spade" to patch up the crazy road that twisted through Picacho
Pass--anything to get the man and his money to Camp Almy, for "devil a
cent of four months' pay had the garrison, and more than double that,"
said Sergeant Malloy, "is owin' me in I.O.U.'s that they wouldn't take
for a treat at the store."

The night before Turner's fellows were to start, Mr. Harris coming with
the doctor slowly homeward from the mess room and listening again,
disgustedly, to arguments against his attempting to ride back with the
paymaster to see 'Tonio at McDowell, the two came suddenly upon Archer,
just stepping forth into the pallid moonlight. The general pulled up
short at sight of them, and Harris silently raised his cap, the
old-time salutation to the post commander.

"I was just about sending for you, Bentley," began the chief, as
courteously he returned the salutation. "Bella thinks Willett's a bit
flighty again, just now. Could you go in a moment? Come and take a
chair, Harris," he added, as the doctor disappeared from the hallway.
"We haven't seen you in a coon's age. What's this I hear about your
wanting to go up to McDowell? Bentley says you're not yet strong
enough."

"It's to see 'Tonio, sir. I'm about the only friend he has left," and
Harris would have ignored the proffered chair, but the general again
indicated his wish, which meant compliance.

"He'll need all he can get, I am afraid, my boy," and the answer was
kind, even conciliatory. How was he ever going to admit to this
uncompromising young campaigner that he had done him mighty wrong in
his official despatch? Some time the boy must know it. Better know it
through him, when it could be explained, perhaps condoned. They had
exhausted the 'Tonio subject, so far