prophecy in his adversary's teeth: "Though it take me years, I will live
it down despite you; and you will wish to God you had bitten out your
perjured tongue before ever you told the lie that wrecked me."

No wonder there was talk, and lots of it, in the "Riflers" and all
through the garrison when Rayner's first lieutenant suddenly threw up
his commission and retired to the mines he had located in Montana, and
Hayne, the "senior second," was promoted to the vacancy. Speculation as
to what would be the result was given a temporary rest by the news that
War Department orders had granted the subaltern six months' leave,--the
first he had sought in as many years. It was known that he had gone
East; but hardly had he been away a fortnight when there came the
trouble with the Cheyennes at the reservation,--a leap for liberty by
some fifty of the band, and an immediate rush of the cavalry in
pursuit. There were some bloody atrocities, as there always are. All the
troops in the department were ordered to be in readiness for instant
service, while the officials eagerly watched the reports to see which
way the desperate band would turn; and the next heard of Mr. Hayne was
the news that he had thrown up his leave and had hurried out to join his
company the moment the Eastern papers told of the trouble. It was all
practically settled by the time he reached the department; but the
spirit and intent of his action could not be doubted. And now here he
was at Warrener. That very morning during the _matinée_ he had entered
the office unannounced, walked up to the desk of the commander, and,
while every voice but his in the room was stilled, he quietly spoke:

"Permit me to introduce myself, colonel,--Mr. Hayne. I desire to
relinquish my leave of absence and report for duty."

The colonel quickly arose and extended his hand: