"Heaven send us news of those little fellows soon," said Archer
piously. "If not, I'm afraid her heart will break. Bentley says the
faint hope is all that holds her. Listen to that!" he suddenly cried.
"Listen!"

Far down beyond the store somebody had set up a shout. Then, as they
stood with beating hearts and straining ears, from the store itself
went up another--three, four voices in unison--a shout that set every
man along the edge of the mesa to swinging his hat. But a veteran
sergeant, Bonner's level-headed right bower, sprang among them, with
uplifted hand and voice. "Quiet, men! Don't yell! Wait!" Then he came
hurrying across the parade, straight to his post commander. "What is
it, sergeant?" was the anxious query, and at the very moment the riders
came wearily jogging over the brow of the hill.

"Couriers from General Crook, sir. They say the boys are found--safe."

Bentley was there almost as the foremost horseman sprang from saddle.
"Not a word of it to her--yet!" said he. "Wait until we know exactly.
Go you, sergeant, and tell the steward on no account to let any one
disturb her." And by this time Archer had torn open the letter handed
him, and Doyle had come running out with a lamp. The expressions that
chased each other over the general's features as he hurriedly read
would have baffled an actor: first rejoicing, then amaze, then
perplexity, if not trouble. "Can you tell us, dear?" was the gentle
query that recalled him.

"Read it--aloud," he said, and though her voice was tremulous, the tone
was clear and the hush breathless. Even Lilian and her lover could hear
every word.

CAMP ON TONTO CREEK, December --, 5:30 A.M.

DEAR GENERAL:

Almy scores again. General Crook sends his best congratulations. The
little Bennetts should be safely with you to-night. We see them as far
as El Caporal. The general takes short cut for McDowell and thence
home. Old Stannard never slept from the moment he got the word until he
got the boys. Harris and 'Tonio located the rancheria and led
unerringly. We are all happy.

Yours in haste,

BRIGHT.

Even in her womanly joy over the rescue, there was wifely sympathy and
instant understanding of her husband's swift-changing mood. The
children were safe--that meant rejoicing for all. Stannard and his
troop were the rescuers--that meant credit and triumph for Archer's
post, and the general awarded it. But Harris and 'Tonio were the
discoverers and leaders. 'Tonio, proba