ning his
return, and one asked if the whole regiment was ordered back.

"Not that I know of," answered Ridge. "I believe I am the only one
thus far."

"Well, I'm glad you have been sent to the rear, and only wish all the
others were as well, for it's a beastly outrage that some should be
taken and others left. Just as if we weren't as good as any of them!"
was the bitter comment.

"Without reply, Ridge turned towards the place where he had left his
blanket roll, only to encounter another shock to his recent pride. An
officer met him.

"Hello! What troop do you belong to?" he asked, suspiciously.

"Troop K, sir," answered Ridge, saluting.

"I thought so. What are you doing here?"

"I was ordered ashore."

"Humph! Without any reason at all, I suppose."

Ridge remained silent.

"Oh, well, if you don't choose to tell why you are in disgrace you
needn't, but you may report to the cook of the officers' mess, who is
in need of an assistant."

Here was a dilemma. Ridge could not, of course, obey this order, since
every moment was precious. To disobey would cause his arrest and
detention in the guard-house. Nor could he inform even this officer of
the secret mission on which he was engaged. At that moment evening
stable-call was sounded, and a happy inspiration came to his relief.

"Very well, sir," he answered, turning as if to obey the order. Then
he added, "May I look after my horse first?"

"I suppose so," replied the officer. "Only be quick about it, for the
cook is badly in need of some one to help him."

So, without making a further attempt to recover his personal
belongings, Ridge hastened to the picket-line, where Senorita
manifested most extravagant joy at again seeing her young master.

"Is that your horse?" inquired the non-commissioned officer in charge
of the stable guard.

Upon Ridge acknowledging that the mare was his, the other continued;

"Well, I'm mighty glad you've come to look after her, for she has
nearly killed two men already, and we were just wondering whether we
should kill her or turn her loose. Now you'd better take her to water."

"May I put on a saddle and bridle?" inquired Ridge.

"Of course not. Who ever heard of riding a cavalry horse to water any
way but bareback?"

So the young trooper was obliged to set forth on| his great undertaking
without equipment of any kind. In his joy at finding himself once more
in possession of his beloved "Rita," this did no