THE WOLF HUNTERS 



while we all retired to the dugout, where our din- 

 ners were in danger of getting cold, and were soon 

 seated around the mess box, eating and talking, 

 for we all had a great deal to say to Bill, and he 

 to us. Found had huddled down beside his mas- 

 ter and was not neglected. 



"I hope you've come to stay several days with 

 us, Bill," said Tom. 



"No, boys," replied the scout; "I'll stay with 

 you to-night, but I've got to get back to the fort 

 to-morrow. You see, the regulars are going away 

 before long, and the troops that's coming to take 

 their places are volunteers and, of course, green 

 as grass about frontier service and managing 

 Injuns; an' so me an' French Dave an' a few other 

 oP hands have got to get out an' scout around 

 and find out where the Injuns are at an' try to 

 find out how they're feelin' toward the whites, an' 

 so forth. That's what I was sent out here ahead 

 of the volunteers for. But when I get back to 

 the fort I'll be close enough to come over an' take 

 a square meal with you every now and then." 



Leaving Bill and Tom to talk while the old man 

 cleared up the dishes, Jack and I went out to at- 

 tend to the stock; and the Irishman suggested 

 that while I took our two broncos out of the stable 

 and staked them on the lee side of the haystack 

 he would unsaddle the scout's horse and put him 

 in the stable. When Bill came out and found 

 what he had done he remonstrated. 



