s bad's this, but all uv 'em's bad."

"That certainly is a very bad-looking foot. I don't see how you kept
up, with cattle in that condition."

"Had to, or git left."

"That's where you make a mistake. We could not leave you behind."

"I didn't think 'twould be uv any use t' say anythin'," said Mr.
Arnold. "You seem t' have all you can haul now."

"We have over three hundred head of oxen in our commissary herd that
we purchased of a freighter. We can exchange with you. A beef is a
beef. Turn your cattle into our herd, and catch up a new lot. When we
get to Prescott you can have your old teams if you want them."

"Thank you agin, sir. I shall want 'em. They know my ways an' I know
theirs."

From the top of the divide the road, smooth and hard, descended to the
river, ten miles away. At nine o'clock the head of the column had
reached the banks, and a few moments later men and horses had partaken
of the clear, cool water.

As the infantry and cavalry moved away from the shore the wagons came
down the decline, the mules braying with excitement at the sight of
the water gleaming through the green foliage of the cottonwoods and
the verdant acres of rich grass that stretched along the river-side.
Brakes were put on and wheels double-locked, until the harness could
be stripped off and the half-frantic animals set free to take a turn
in the river.

Sheep and oxen plunged down the banks and stood leg-deep in the
current while they drank the grateful water. A few moments later all
the refreshed animals were cropping the generous grass. As I was going
to Captain Bayard I observed Brenda Arnold taking the odometer from
its wheel and making an entry in a note-book. Approaching her, I
asked: "Why are you doing that, Miss Brenda?"

"I promised Mr. Frank I would do it until he and Mr. Henry return,"
was her answer.

"Promised Frank? Where has he gone?"

"Gone to find his brother."

"And you knew what you are telling me when we were exchanging oxen
this morning?"

"Yes, sir."

"Why did you not tell me?"

"Mr. Frank said I must not before we arrived here."

"Have you no idea of the fearful danger in which he has placed
himself?"

"I know he has gone to find Henry, and that he said he should find
him," and the pretty girl betrayed her lack of confidence in the boy's
project by sitting down in the grass and bursting into tears.

"When did Corporal Frank start?" I asked.

"Last night. He gave Sancho about a dozen