At the first halt Sergeant Weber approached Thurstane with a timorous air,
saluted, and asked, "Leftenant, can we leafe our knabsacks in the vagons?
The gentleman has gifen us bermission."

"The men ought to learn to carry their knapsacks," said Thurstane. "They
will have to do it in serious service."

"It is drue, Leftenant," replied Weber, saluting again and moving off
without a sign of disappointment.

"Let that man come back here," called Aunt Maria, who had overheard the
dialogue. "Certainly they can put their loads in the wagons. I told Mr.
Coronado to tell them so."

Weber looked at her without moving a muscle, and without showing either
wonder or amusement. Thurstane could not help grinning good-naturedly as
he said, "I receive your orders, Mrs. Stanley. Weber, you can put the
knapsacks in the wagons."

Weber saluted anew, gave Mrs. Stanley a glance of gratitude, and went
about his pleasant business. An old soldier is not in general so strict a
disciplinarian as a young one.

"What a brute that Lieutenant is!" thought Aunt Maria. "Make those poor
fellows carry those monstrous packs? Nonsense and tyranny! How different
from Mr. Coronado! _He_ fairly jumped at my idea."

Thurstane stepped over to Coronado and said, "You are very kind to relieve
my men at the expense of your animals. I am much obliged to you."