e four officers went away to inspect the animals as
they came out, leaving Ted to talk to the two girls.

Nothing was said about the unpleasant interview on the colonel's veranda
the evening before, but Stella laughingly told how she had decided at
the last moment to follow the fortunes of the boys, and had dragged her
aunt off to Montana without giving her time to think about it.

While they were chatting the colonel rode up.

"Mr. Strong, I wish you would come up to headquarters and get your
voucher for these cattle before you go. I should like you to dine with
us, also."

"Please do, Ted," said Stella. "Then you can ride back to camp with aunt
and I. I have been trying to persuade Hallie to join our party for a
week or two, and experience the joys and excitement of the cattle
trail."

"I should like very much to go with you, but----"

Miss Croffut looked at her father with some apprehension.

"If Mrs. Graham will consent to add to her burdens as a chaperon I have
no objections," said the colonel whose manner toward Ted had been simply
reversed by the independence and manliness the broncho boys had
exhibited.

"We should be very glad to have you with us, Miss Croffut," said Ted.
"And if you have never been on the long drive I believe you would find
much that would interest you."

"Then it's all settled," cried Stella. "I'm sure aunt would be delighted
to have you, and you will like the boys. They are like a lot of brothers
to me, only they are better than most brothers, for they let me do what
I please, and are a help instead of a nuisance."

They all laughed at Stella's estimate of the usefulness of brothers, and
rode away toward the fort, Ted leading the way with Miss Croffut, whom
he found to be an exceedingly interesting companion, and who expressed
her love for riding and other outdoor sports.

"We're going to see the beef issue," Stella called to Ted.

"All right," he answered. "It will be some time before the cattle are up
to the pens, and, in the meantime, we'll leave you there, and ride over
to headquarters and settle the business end of it."

The girls were left at the office of the Indian agent near the place
where the cattle were to be issued to the Indians.

Scattered over the prairie near the agent's office were the members of
the tribe, waiting patiently for their portion of the fresh meat, which,
at certain times of the year, Uncle Sam doled out to them.

It was a savage sight. Here a