THE TRAIL 219 



post. Both had deserted, and tried for freedom 

 by way of the railroad. The post was aroused, 

 cordons thrown out, the hills searched, and this 

 patrol had caught them. The very men that they 

 had bunked and fought with (for this was one of 

 the troops of a fighting regiment) had to take 

 them back to a trial that meant Alcatraz and dis- 

 grace; and I passed it, all unconscious of its sig- 

 nificance. 



But such is the way of the trail. On the big 

 road you are privileged to be curious; not so on the 

 trail. Do not ask whence nor whither. Your 

 name is your own. You do not write it down in 

 books when you stop for the night. You do not 

 exchange cards. Give everyone a ^'good-day'' 

 when you meet; let the loquacious talk, and the 

 silent keep their secrets. It is no business of 

 yours who comes or goes, nor where nor why. 

 That is the law of the trail. 



