, 1908-11-12


terest. The gaze Of the other faltsr.
cd, then came back co~urageously.
81 recognise you now" Custer said,
quietly. Am / to understand you
are again in the s%srvtcef"
my presence here il purely accf-
dental, Gen. Custer. The opportu-
nifty came to me to do this work. and
1 rory gladly accepted the priv
ilege."
The commander hesitated, scarcely
moving what he might be justified IN
saying to this man.
Its a brave deed, we'll performed"
he said at last, with soldierly cordial
fly, although I - hardly offer you
. hitting reward"
There is little I desire" he re-
piled, slowly. and that is to be per-
mitted to ride once more into action
IN the ranks Of the Seventh"
The true-hearted, impulsive. manly
soldier fronting him Redeemed to
the roots of his fair hair, his proud
eyes softenins.
Spoken like q true soldier" he OK
claimed. a new warmth in his voice.
"You shall have your wish. Take Pc
sition in Calhoun's troop yonder."
Hampton turned quietly away. lead
ing his horse. yet had scarcely ad-
vanced three yards before Custer
halted him.
81 shall be pleased to talk with you
again after the night" he said, briefly,
rs though half doubling the propriety
Of such words. o.
The other bowed. his face ~ia6tantly
Frightening. IT thank you s~incef-lyr
The perplexed commander s.Sod
m%otionless. gazing after the r6..eding
ngure, his lace grown grave l.and
thoughtful. Then he turned to the
wondering adjutant beside him.
You never knew him. did you,
Cook"
II think not, sir; who 10 he?"
capt Nolan-you have heard he
story"
rs that SO" he exclaimed. in EVIL
dent surprise. He has . manly face"
"Ay, and he was as fine = soldier a.
' e fought under a nag" declared
Custer, frankly. Poor devil. The
hardest service l was ever called upon
to perform vas the day we broke him.
I wonder II Calhoun will recognize
the face; they were good friends
once"
He stopped speaking. and for .
time his ~held-glasses were fastened
upon a small section of the Indian vii
lage nestled in the green valley.
81 doubt II many warriors are
there" he commented at last. They
may have one up the river to inter-
cept Reno's advance. n If SO, this
should be our time to strike. Return
to your commands. gentlemen, and
with the order of march see person
ally that your men move quietly. We
must strike quick and hard. driving
the wedge home with a single blow.
That will be all At present. gentle.
men; you will require NO further in
structions until we deploy. Capt. Cal
houn, Just a word"
The captain thus directly address,
Cd. a handsome. stalwart man of mid
die age, refined in his horse and
waited.
Captain. the messenger who has
Just brought us dispatches from Chey-
enne is a civilian, but has requested
permission to have . share in this
coming fight. / have assigned him to
your troop"
Calhoun bowed.
81 thought to spare you any pos
s'hle embarrassment by saving that
he man il not entirely unknown -
you"
Nay ! Isl his nansr"
Robert Nolan"
The strong, lion-like face AuGhel
under its tan. then quickly lit up WITH
. smile. Il thank you. Capt. Nolan
will not suffer At my hands"
He rode straight toward his trooD,
his eyes searching the ranks until
they rested upon the averted lace Of
Hampton. He pressed forward, and
lsaned from the saddle, extending Q
gauntleted hand. Nolan, old man
welcome back to the Seventh"
Fol an instant their eye