steam across and get the whole party."

On the western shore of the Colorado, Private Tom Clary and the boy
sergeants sat by the fire broiling quail, which they seasoned from the
supplies of Texas Dick and Juan Brincos, and accompanied by slices of
toasted bread from the same source. In the midst of their enjoyment of
"quail on toast" a loud "who-o-of! who-o-of! who-o-of!" came across
the river.

"Hullo!" said Henry; "the old _Cocopah_ is starting for the Gulf
mighty early. I should think the pilot would find it difficult to keep
off the shores when it is so dark."

The boys could see by the boat's changing lights that her bow, which
had been headed up-stream, when she lay at the bank, was swinging
slowly out into the stream, and they expected shortly to see her
starboard lights as she headed downward. But she seemed to pause, with
her furnace fires and pilot lanterns pointing towards them.

"Who-o-of! who-o-of! who-o-of!--patter, patter, patter." The noise of
the steamer grew louder and louder, until the boys rose from their
seats and stared in surprise at the rapidly growing lights.

"I really believe she is coming here," said Frank.

"She is, or she nades a dale of space to turn in," observed Private
Tom.

Presently two tall smoke-stacks separated themselves from the darkness
and appeared high above their heads.

"Ahoy there, boys!" shouted the captain's voice from the bridge.

"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Frank.

"Get ready to come on board! Below there--stand by to lower
gang-plank! Now!--lower away!"

Down came the plank, and a joyous group of friends walked down to the
shore to greet the boys and the soldier.

A few moments afterwards the boy sergeants led their ponies on board,
and Private Tom Clary escorted the prisoners. The _Cocopah_ cleared
away and paddled back to the La Paz side, where Texas Dick and Juan
Brincos were turned over to the civil authorities, and Sancho and
Chiquita to the escort in Mr. Gray's corral.

Three days later the boys and I took leave of Mr. Hudson, who was now
in charge of the government storehouse, and, accompanied by Mr. Gray,
started for Fort Whipple. Hanging under the hind axle of the ambulance
was a ten-gallon keg, and inside was another. We left La Paz early in
the morning and arrived at Tyson's Wells at nine o'clock. Remaining
there until six o'clock in the evening, we watered our animals, and
with freshly filled kegs started for Hole-in-the-Plain, where we
staye