Bob Hampton of Placer

rite skulking-place and hunting-ground of the restless Sioux. Winter and summer this wide expanse had to be suspiciously patrolled by numerous military scouting parties, anxious to learn more reg

onor attached, while never had soldiers before found trickier fo

ery side of them extended the treeless wilderness, the desolate loneliness of bare, brown prairie, undulating just enough to be baffling to the eyes, yet so dull, barren, grim, silent, and colorless as to drive men mad. The shimmering heat rose and fell in great pulsating waves, although no slightest breeze came to stir the stagnant air, while thick clouds of white dust, impregnated with poisonous alkali, rose

brim, which had been drawn low to shade them from the glare, one hand pressing upon his saddle holster as he leaned over to rest. No insignia of rank served to distinguish him from those equally dusty fellows plodding gloomily behind, but a broad stripe of yellow running down the seams of his trousers, together with his high boots, bespoke the cavalry service, while the front of his battered

sta lay outspread, he partially turned his face toward the men stragg

f the Bear Water, Carson," he questioned quietly, "where

purred his exhausted horse into a brief trot, and drew up short by the officer's side, his heavy

he replied respectfully, "but the big cottonwood with t

e stream. As his barely moving horse topped the uneven summit, the lieutenant suddenly drew in his rein, and uttering an exclamation of surprise, bent forward, staring inte

piciously sweeping the bare slope. "There

rigidity of their limbs, the ghastly pallor of the exposed young face accentuated by dark, dishevelled hair, all alike seemed to indicate death. Never once questioning but that he was confronting the closing scene of a grewsome tragedy, the thoroughly aroused lieutenant dro

s fellow's clasp," he cried, briefly. "The girl retains a

table and plunging forward in unconsciousness, written as legibly as though by a pen. Every pang of mental torture had left plainest imprint across that haggard countenance. He appeared old, pitiable, a wreck. Carson, who in his long service had witnessed much of death and suffering, bent tenderly above him, seeking for some faint evidence of lingering life. His fingers felt for no wound, for to his experienced eyes the

demanded, his voice ren

officer's face, his own eyes filled with feeling. "I can distinguish

you mak

he only thing I see now is to g

of sun-burnt, desolate prairie stretching in every direction, his eye

commanded, decisively. "Move quickly, lad

ankets, securely fastened about the saddle pommels, swaying gently to the measured tread of the trained animals. The lieutenant directed every movement, while Carson rode ahead, picking out the safest route through the short grass. Beneath the protecting shadows of the first group of cottonwoods, almost on the banks of the muddy Bear Water, the little party let down their senseless burdens, and began

vanced slowly, the sup

the measur

n slowly, and with wonderment, she gazed up into those strange, rough faces surrounding her, pausing in her first surv

y safe now, with friends to care for you. Peters, bring another cup of that broth. Now, miss, just ta

, every movement mechanical, h

Then her glance wandered away, and finally rested upon another little kneeling grou

uestioned, trembling

but mighty near gone, I'm afraid. I'

t motionless body she could barely distinguish. "Let me tell you, that fellow's a man, just the same; the game

his charge just long enough to glance inquiringly across his shoul

andalous, but I guess it 's the very luck that's goin

begins to look as if this might be some

es

far a

them soldiers. My dad was shot, and then that night he-he got me out up the rocks, and he-he was carrying me in his arms when

man? What'

for some reason which she could never clearly explain ev

heavily across toward where they were sitting, lifting his hand in soldierly sal

Purty weak yit, but he'll come round in time." He stared curiously down at the girl now s

, "but I know you. You're old man G

he ghastly pallor of her face, and her lips trembl

and softly on her shoulder, his bl

miliar, but could n't quite decide where I had seen you before. So poor old Gillis has gone, and you are left all alone in the world! Well, he was an old soldier, could not

nstant his gaze dwelt upon the crossed sabres shielding the gilded "7" on the front of the lieutenant's scouting hat, then settled upon the face of the girl. With one h

will!" he said, hoarsel