As he went down he heard a shout of alarm.
"Don't shoot!" he heard the sergeant cry. "Let her go. We don't want
her, anyway."
Then Ted knew that Stella had escaped, to carry the news back to the
boys, and to bring assistance.
"I wish the Indian girl had been along," the sergeant said to one of the
men. "We'd have all we wanted, then."
"Oh, we'll get her later," was the reply.
Ted was hoisted to his feet in no gentle manner, and then he discovered
that his arms had been bound. Sitting on her pony was Hallie Croffut,
pale but calm, regarding the scene with an expression of contempt.
"What is the meaning of this, Brown?" she asked, addressing the sergeant
"Orders from a s'perior officer, miss," said the sergeant
apologetically, saluting respectfully.
"Well, you and your superior officer will be sorry for this day's work
when the colonel hears of it," was all she said.
The sergeant saluted again, and ordered the men to march.
Ted was lifted into his saddle, and, in the center of the detachment,
was marched away.
They rode thus for several miles, when, in the gathering dusk, Ted saw
ahead of him a small cabin.
In a few moments they were in front of it, and Ted and Hallie were
assisted to the ground and bade to enter.
In the center of the room, seated at a table, was Lieutenant Barrows,
who scowled at Ted, but hadn't the courage, apparently, to look at his
fiancee.
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