e
three of them was able to move. The boys'd make short work of them
now, the way they're feeling. I went in and took a look at those two
fellows. One of 'em is a goner, sure, but they're dead game, both of
'em. Neither one has a word to say."

"No," answered Drummond, "they refused to give their names to
me,--said it was no earthly consequence what name we put over their
graves, the right set of fellows would be along after a while and do
them all the honor they cared for. How were the Moreno women
behaving?"

"The girl was asleep, I should judge, sir. The old hag was rocking to
and fro, crooning to herself until one of the two--the live one, I
should call him--hurled a curse at her in Spanish and told her to dry
up or he'd kill her. All a bluff, for he can't move a peg."

"Watch them well, Patterson, all the same. Hush!"

Again from within the deep shelter of the rocky cave came the low moan
of anguish,--

"Mother! mother! if you knew--"

"Here, Patterson, I can't stand this. I'm going in to him." And,
picking up the dim lantern which he had taken from the Harvey wagon,
Drummond stole in on tiptoe and knelt again beside his wounded
comrade.

"Wing! sergeant! Look up, man. Speak to me. You must be in distress,
mental or bodily. Do let me help you in some way."

For a moment no reply whatever. Wing's face was hidden. Then he looked
gently upward.

"Lieutenant, I'm ashamed to be giving you so much trouble. Please go
and lie down again, sir; you're worse hurt than I am,--only I suppose
I get to dozing off and then turn on that side."

"No, it isn't that, sergeant. There's something wrong, and it has all
come on you since yesterday morning. Where is your mother?"

Again Wing turned away, burying his face in his arms.

"Listen, sergeant; we hope to get you out of this by to-night. Dr.
Gray ought surely to reach us by that time, and while we may have to
keep up a field hospital here a day or two, my first duty will be to
write and tell your mother how bravely you have served us, and she
shall be told that you are wounded, but not in such a way as to alarm
her."

Out came a restraining hand.

"Lieutenant, she must not know at all."

"Well, she can't, so far as I'm concerned, as I don't know her
address. But think a moment; you know and I know--Hold on, wait!"
And Drummond rose and tiptoed to a cleft in the rock through which
shone a dim light; it was the entrance to the remote inner cave where
the Harvey