the muffled figures in blue and fur. "What _can_ they be doing in the
field in such awful weather? I cannot recognize one of them, or tell
officers from men. Surely that must be Captain Wayne,--and Major
Stannard. Oh, what can it mean?"

The young man had suddenly leaped to the window behind them, and was
gazing out with an eagerness and interest little less apparent than her
own, but in a moment the train had whisked them out of sight of the
storm-beaten troopers. Then he hurried to the rear window of the car,
and Mrs. Rayner as hastily followed.

"_Do_ you know them?" she asked.

"Yes. That _was_ Major Stannard. It is his battalion of the ----th
Cavalry, and they have been out scouting after renegade Cheyennes.
Pardon me, madame, I must go forward and see who have boarded the
train."

He stopped at his section, and again she followed him, her eyes full of
anxiety. He was busy tugging at a flask in his travelling-bag.

"You know them! Do you know--have you heard of any infantry being out?
Pardon me for detaining you, but I am very anxious. My husband is
Captain Rayner, of Fort Warrener."

"No infantry have been sent, madame, I--have reason to know; at least,
none from Warrener."

And with that he hurriedly bowed and left her. The next moment, flask in
hand, he was crossing the storm-swept platform and making his way to the