"That is exactly what I mean, Travers. Damme, I have n't thought of
anything else for a week. Oh, I know now I was an old fool even to
conceive of such a trip, but when I first wrote her I had no conception
of what it was going to be like out here. There was not a rumor of
Indian trouble a month ago, and when the tribes did break out it was
too late for me to get word back East. The fact is, I am in the devil
of a fix--without even an officer whom I can send to meet her, or turn
her back. If I should go myself it would mean a court-martial."

Travers stared into the darkness through the open door, sucking at his
pipe.

"By George, you are in a pickle," he acknowledged slowly. "I supposed
she had been headed off long ago. Have n't heard you mention the
matter since we first got here. Where do you suppose the lass is by
now?"

"Near as I can tell she would leave Ripley the 18th."

"Humph! Then starting to-night, a good rider might intercept her at
Fort Dodge. She would be in no danger travelling alone for that
distance. The regular stages are running yet, I suppose?"

"Yes; so far as I know."

"Under guard?"

"Only from the Caches to Fort Union; there has been no trouble along
the lower Arkansas yet. The troops from Dodge are scouting the country