nt Frank.

"What do you think is going on?" asked my companion, as several more
reports rang out.

"What I feared; the Apaches are attacking the men who went out to
bring in the dead and wounded men at Soldiers' Holes."

"And if Mr. Hudson was not the wounded man there, I suppose he is sure
to be in this scrape. Why not rush in with the escort and frighten
them away?"

"They may be too many for us," I answered, "and it will be prudent to
learn the situation at the ranch before we go nearer. I want to join
the white men without the Indians' knowledge, if possible."

"If Mr. Hudson is not dead, he must know we are here."

"He may be there, and the men may know we are on the road, but it
certainly does not look like it."

"Can't Vic be sent with a message?"

"No; she will not take a message to a stranger."

We had now reached a point from which we could see a log cabin, a
stable, and an open shed or tool-house. On the side of the buildings
towards us, as if screening themselves from an enemy in the opposite
direction, were a few men.

"If you would like me to, sir, I can crawl to the house without being
seen," said Frank. "That cart, wagon, oven, and stack will screen me."

"Yes, you can do it easily. Tell Mr. Hopkins that we are
here--seventeen, counting you two boys--and to make no demonstration
when we close up. I will explain a plan to him which, I think, will
enable us to teach the Apaches a lesson. If you find Mr. Hudson there,
tell him to show himself at a window or door."

XIII

THE BOY SERGEANTS DO GOOD SERVICE

Frank dropped flat upon the earth and worked his way to the cabin
without being seen. Instantly I received a signal from Mr. Hopkins
through a back window, and a moment later Mr. Hudson looked out of a
back door and raised his hat. I was glad to see that his college
career was still a possibility.

Hurrying back to the ambulance, I caused the animals to be grouped in
charge of the driver and two soldiers, and with the rest of the detail
moved in the direction of the ranch buildings.

It had become so dark that we might possibly have passed over the open
space without being seen, but, for fear of accidents, we covered it,
as Frank had done, on all fours. The first persons I met when I rose
to a vertical position were Hudson and Frank, who took me to Mr.
Hopkins. The ranchman greeted me with the assurance that the arrival
of my party was a godsend, and had probably saved their sc