"Hello, what's that heading this
way?"
Coming toward them from the direction of the fort, several riders were
kicking up the dust in lively fashion.
As they got nearer the riders revealed themselves as four soldiers,
accompanied by two ladies.
Suddenly Ted pulled in his pony, and grasped Bud's arm.
"If that don't look like Stella I'll eat my saddle blanket fried in
butter," he said.
"Shore do look some like her," answered Bud, "an' that's ther same
little ole red jacket what she wears."
In a few moments they heard Stella's hail, and answered it.
Then up galloped Stella and Miss Croffut, accompanied by the commandant
of the post, Lieutenant Barrows, and two other officers, a captain and a
major.
After greeting the boys, and formally introducing Miss Croffut, Stella
told them that from their last telegram she thought she might be able to
catch them at Fort Felton, and had not hesitated in coming on,
particularly as she happened to know Miss Croffut.
"What's this trouble you fellows have been getting into with the folks
at the fort?" asked Stella.
"We're not having any trouble, but we had some in the night when the
dogies stampeded us," replied Ted, with an almost imperceptible wink at
her.
"None of my business, I suppose?"
"None in the least."
"See here, Mr.
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