"Must be the same lot Maxwell told us about up on Pawnee Fork, Sam," he
said at last. "He will be likely to cut their trail some time to-day.
We knew a bunch had headed south, but did n't suppose they had got as
far as this already. Better leave Maxwell to run them in, I suppose?
Our orders are to return to Dodge."

"They have n't three hours the start," ventured Hamlin in surprise,
"and cannot travel fast with so many of their ponies doubly loaded."

"That is for me to decide," staring insolently, "and I understand my
duty without any advice. Is there any damage done west of here?"

"The station at the crossing is burned; two dead men there; I don't
know what became of the third."

"Then it is just as I thought; those fellows will turn north before
they get that far, and will run straight into Maxwell. What do you
say, Sam?"

The scout lolled carelessly in the saddle, his eyes on the river, his
lean, brown face expressionless.

"I reckon as how it don't make no great difference what I say," he
answered soberly. "Yer ain't taken no advice frum me yit, fur as I
remember. But if yer really want ter know, this time, my notion is
them bucks will most likely hide in the bluffs till night, an' then
sneak past Maxwell after it gits good an' dark. If this yere wus my
outfit now, I 'd just naturally light on to the trail fast, orders er
no orders. I reckon it's Injuns we cum out after, an' I don't suppose