but fell, giving vent to one scream of agony. Then all was silent,
motionless, the last straggler clubbing his horse pitilessly as he
vanished over the ridge.

Hamlin sat up, his eyes smiling.

"We are the lucky ones, Miss McDonald," he said, his manner
unconsciously more formal now that the danger had passed and a swift
realization of who his companion was recurring to his mind. "Something
must have frightened them." He shaded his eyes, staring at the bluffs
opposite, "But there is nothing in sight from here. Well, the best
thing we can do is to eat breakfast. May I have the haversack, and see
what it is stocked with?"

"Certainly not. There is so little I can do, I do not propose yielding
any prerogative." And she drew her head through the strap, letting the
leather bag fall to the sand. "I am afraid there is no cloth here.
Would you dare light a fire?"

"Hardly, even if we had fuel," he answered, watching her with interest.
She glanced up into his face, her cheeks reddening.

"Why don't you want me to do this?"

"How do you know I object? Indeed, it is quite pleasant to be waited
upon. Only, you see, it is very unusual for an officer's daughter to
take such good care of an enlisted man."

"But I am not thinking of that at all. You--this is different."