Lieutenant Chambers. Lieutenant, detail three men to guard the lady
back to the main column. Have her taken to General Custer at once."

"Very well, sir; and the command?"

Elliott looked at the Sergeant inquiringly.

"That is for Sergeant Hamlin to determine; he has just been scouting
through that country, and will act as guide."

The Sergeant stood for a moment motionless beside his horse studying
the vista of snow-draped hillside. The region beyond the crest of the
ridge unrolled before his memory.

"Then we will keep directly on up this valley, sir," he said at last.
"It's Wolf Creek, is it not? We shall be safer to keep out of sight
to-day, and this depression must lead toward the Canadian. May I
exchange mounts with one of those men going back, Major? I fear my
pony is about done."

"Certainly."

There was no opportunity for anything save a simple grasp of the hand,
ere Molly rode away with her escort. Then the little column of
troopers moved on, and Hamlin, glancing backward as he rode past, took
his place in advance beside Major Elliott.