The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-12
CHAPTER XII,

Ten o'clock was called by the sentries
and no one came riding back from the
column with later news. Almost as soon
as the command had disappeared from
view Mrs. Farrar had gone home, Helen,
Ellis, Kitty and Will in close attendance,
and there they were presently Joined by
Aunt Lucretia, whose volubility even
calamity seemed powerless to check, and
then, to the relief of all the women, Cap
tain Leale knocked and was promptly ad-
mitted.
II am in search of my right-hand man.
said he, with his bright cordial smile.
'They tell me he is playing Achilles and
sulking in his tent. but have work for
him to do, and then once more did Kitty
look remonstrance, for she could form no
idea of work for him that did not involve
deprivation for her.
"You are not going to send Mr.. Farrar
away after ALL" she began, but Leale laugh
ingly checked her.
"Far from it," said he. 81 need him at
the guardhouse, and mean to put him in
charge of the prisoners when they come
in. The chances are that the colonel will
have to arrest not few of those fellows,
and he'll do it in the interest of peace and
good order, despite the fact that he has no
warrant. Are you ready, sir?'
II m ready and willing to do any duty,
Captain Leale," answered Will, ruefully.
"But was the first to volunteer for that
courier ride to Big Road, and l think the
colonel ought to have given it to me. I'll
be officer of the guard tomorrow, anyhow,
and would just as lief begin now. Shall l
come at once?"
Eyes, the second relief goes on in a few
minutes, and ysu would better inspect
them. Everything is started right. You
have capital sergeant of the guard. 1
want the sentries on the north and east
bluffs to listen for all sounds from the
east, and keep close watch on that plant
OF Bunco Jim's. Watch every movement
in that rowdy town over yonder, though 1
believe most of the ,populace has already
ridden away at the bidding of the so-called
cowboy king
Will bent over and kissed his mothers
forehead. "I'll get my sword and go at
once" said he, ''and I'll be back as soon
as I've made the rounds of the second re-
LEI. l suppose nobody here means to
turn in for an hour yet. We ought to
have news of some kind before midnight"
With that he quickly left the little parlor,
at his own door in the adjoining bachelor
roost: Mrs. Daunton, who had been oc-
cupying herself close to Mrs. Farrar,
presently arose, stepped into the hallway,
took heavy wrap, and noiselessly quilted
the house. Surprised, Captain Leale
looked about him for explanation. Ellis
had drawn aside the curtain, and with
pale, set face, was gazing fixedly out upon
the parade. Kitty looked bewildered. 1t
was Mrs: Farrar who spoke.
This has been a trying day for Helen.
She is not strong, l fear, and tonight she
is SO nervous and unstrung that she seems
to shrink from company or conversation.
| have never known her so distract. I
fancy she wants to be alone few minutes
and to take the fresh air on the gallery"
Ellis moved impatiently, but said not a
word. She could see that so far from hav-
ing stopped on the gallery, Helen Daunton
has fastened through the gate, and, turn
Ing TO Wits quarters, next door, was there
awaiting his temperance. The boy came
out In moment his sword at his side, and
wrapping his cloak about him, stopped
short In evident surprise at sight of Mrs.
Daunton. Ellis we'll understood the pur-
port OF the conversation that ensued,
though she could hear no word. Will
searched one pocket after another, then
ran back into the house, came forth again
In less than a minute, handed a square
white envelope to Mrs. Daunton, and, rails
ing his forage cap in farewell, fastened
away across the parade. Ashamed of her
espionage, yet fascinated Ellis fingered at
the window and saw Helen tear open the
envelope and draw forth little packet or
roll, which she closely inspected and rap