THE WOLF HUNTERS 



locate this gang of jayhawkers, an' that the com- 

 pany of cavalry to which we belong is coming on 

 close behind us, ready to swoop down an' gobble 

 up the gang as soon as I give 'em the word. An' 

 then, when we git Tucker to take this all in we'll 

 manage to let him escape an' carry this news to 

 his gang; an' ef I ain't badly mistaken they'll 

 pack up an' pull out from here as quick as they 

 can get away. Now, mind you, I'm sergeant in 

 charge." 



*'Be the powers o' mud," exclaimed Jack. 

 "That's a fine scheme if we can only make it 

 work, ef it pans out the way you've planned it. 

 Tom — or sergeant, I should have said — I'll always 

 think that a great general was sp'ilt when they 

 made only a private of you. Now go ahead with 

 your rat killin' an' let's be tryin' it on." 



As our conference ended we strolled back to the 

 tent and Tom began giving orders for guarding 

 our prisoner through the night. 



*'Now, men, we'll divide the night into three 

 parts, like a 'running guard,' an' each one of us'll 

 take a third of the night to stand post. An', mind 

 you, don't go to sleep on post or the prisoner 

 might git away. I guess we'll let Jack take the 

 first watch, an' you. Peck, can come on for the 

 middle tour, an' you may call me up for the last 

 turn. Ef you think you won't git sleepy you 

 might bring out one of the camp-chairs an' take a 

 seat where you can keep a close watch of the pris- 



70 



