THE WOLF HUNTERS 



and he was given a hint from headquarters that 

 his resignation would be acceptable." 



Tom, Jack, and I had previously discussed the 

 propriety of our making a present of some kind 

 to the two officers, in testimony of our apprecia- 

 tion of their extremely prompt and timely re- 

 sponse in the hour of our extremity, and, as we had 

 nothing else available or appropriate, we had de- 

 cided to abandon the plan of each having made a 

 fine fur overcoat out of some of our beaver and 

 otter skins and to give to each officer enough of 

 the furs for that purpose. 



At late bedtime, when the officers and Bill were 

 getting ready to start back to the garrison, Tom 

 brought out and gave to Saunders and Wilson 

 each a package of beaver skins, telling them of 

 the overcoats we had intended to make of them 

 and suggesting that they use them for the same 

 purpose. We also gave each officer a couple of 

 choice buffalo robes. 



"Now, men/' said Saunders deprecatingly, 

 ** don't rob yourselves of these furs to reward us 

 for doing our simple duty. We don't expect any- 

 thing of the kind, are not entitled to any reward, 

 and I don't think we ought to accept them, 

 and " 



"But, Saunders," interrupted Lieutenant Wil- 

 son, "when you come to think of the princely 

 overcoats these beaver furs will make, it seems 

 to me there would be no harm in accepting them 



294 



