e bluff, within easy reach
of water, only three halts being made--one for dinner, and two for the
purpose of sending up signals to Captain Clinton. As his replies, which
were promptly made, came from the same place, Bob became satisfied that
the captain was waiting for him. Of course this caused much speculation
among the troopers. Had the captain given up the pursuit, or had he
overtaken and scattered the thieves and recovered Mr. Wentworth's stock?
Bob was inclined to hold to the latter opinion.

[Illustration: TELEGRAPHING BY SMOKE.]

"The captain is a hard man to get away from when he once makes up his
mind for business," said he; "and I just know that he's got those
cattle, or the most of them. If he has, Mr. Wentworth is all right, for
we have got his boys. If your theory is correct--and I begin to believe
it is, for everything else has turned out just as you said it
would--Lieutenant Earle will come out at the little end of the horn,
won't he?"

"Some officer almost always has to do that," answered George. "But the
lieutenant will have some honor reflected upon him, if he doesn't win
any for himself, for it was a portion of his own troop, commanded by one
of his own non-commissioned officers, who rescued the boys."

About two hours before sunset the troopers began to call one another's
attention to the fact that the sandhills, among which they had been
marching all day long, were growing less in number and height, and to
congratulate themselves on drawing near to their journey's end. An hour
later they came to the last hill, and as they were riding by it a sentry
who had been stationed there presented himself to their view.

CHAPTER XIV.

"THREE CHEERS FOR THE 'BRINDLES'!"

"Hallo, Buel!" exclaimed Bob, recognizing in the sentry one of his own
company boys, "you'll let us in, won't you?"

"Well, I _am_ beat!" replied the man. "Corporal, you're a brick. Three
cheers for the 'Brindles'!"

He stood in the "position of a soldier," with his carbine at a "carry,"
and spoke in a low tone, for he knew that there were officers with
field-glasses not far away, and that he had no business to exchange
compliments with anybody after this fashion while he was on post. But
when he saw the captive Indian and Mr. Wentworth's boys he could not
restrain himself.

"Bob, the boys ought to give you a benefit," he added.

"We've got something to show for this scout, even if we are 'Brindles,'
haven't we?" said the