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“It’s for you,” he said, briefly, nodding up to Ralph, while he went on to copy the message.

It was a time of anxious suspense in the little office. The sergeant paced silently to and fro with unusual erectness of bearing and a firmly-compressed lip. His appearance and attitude were that of the soldier who has divined approaching danger and who awaits the order for action. Ralph, who could hardly control his impatience, stood watching the rapid fingers of the operator as they traced out a message which was evidently of deep moment.

At last the transcript was finished, and the operator handed it to the boy. Ralph’s hand was trembling with excitement as he took the paper and carried it close to the light. It read as follows:

“RALPH MCCREA, Chugwater Station:

“Black Hills stage reports having crossed trail of large war party going west, this side of Rawhide Butte. My troop ordered at once in pursuit. Wait for Fifth Cavalry.

“GORDON MCCREA.”

“Going west, this side of Rawhide Butte,” said Ralph, as calmly as he could. “That means that they are twenty miles north of Laramie, and on the other side of the Platte.”

“It means that they knew what they were doing when they crossed just behind the last stage so as to give no warning, and that their trail was nearly two days old when seen by the down stage this afternoon. It means that they crossed the stage road, Ralph, but how long ago was that, do you think, and where are they now? It is my belief that they crossed the Platte above Laramie last night or early this morning, and will be down on us to-night.”

“Wire that to Laramie, then, at once,” said Ralph. “It may not be too late to turn the troop this way.”

“I can only say what I think to my fellow-operator there, and can’t even do that now; the commanding officer is sending despatches to Omaha, and asking that the Fifth Cavalry be ordered to send forward a troop or two to guard the Chug. But there’s no one at the head-quarters this time o’ night. Besides, if we volunteer any suggestions, they will say we were stampeded down here by a band of Indians that didn’t come within seventy-five miles of us.”

“Well, father won’t misunderstand me,” said Ralph, “and I’m not afraid to ask him to think of what you say; wire it to him in my name.”

There was a long interval, twenty minutes or so, before the operator could “get the line.” When at last he succeeded in sending his despatch, he stopped short in the midst of it.

“It’s no use, Ralph. Your father’s troop was three miles away before his message was sent. There were reports from Red Cloud that made the commanding officer believe there were some Cheyennes going up to attack couriers or trains between Fetterman and the Big Horn. He is away north of the Platte.”

Another few minutes of thoughtful silence, then Ralph turned to his soldier friend,–

“Sergeant, I have to obey father’s orders and stay here, but it’s my belief that Farron should be put on his guard at once. What say you?”

“If you agree, sir, I’ll ride up and spend the night with him.”

“Then go by all means. I know father would approve it.”

CHAPTER IV.

CUT OFF.

It was after ten o’clock when the waning moon came peering over the barrier ridge at the east. Over an hour had passed since Sergeant Wells, on his big sorrel, had ridden away up the stream on the trail to Farron’s.

Phillips had pressed upon him a Henry repeating rifle, which he had gratefully accepted. It could not shoot so hard or carry so far as the sergeant’s Springfield carbine, the cavalry arm; but to repel a sudden onset of yelling savages at close quarters it was just the thing, as it could discharge sixteen shots without reloading. His carbine and the belt of copper cartridges the sergeant left with Ralph.