of water over him, you Latham, quick. Wake up, I say, Mullan. For the
love of God, major, I believe they're both drugged. I believe it's all
a damned lie. I believe it's only a skame to get you to send out the
rest of your escort, so they can tackle you alone. Kick him, Murphy,
kick him; throt him round; don't let him get to sleep. Answer me, you
scoundrel!" he fairly yelled, for Mullan's head was drooping on his
breast and every lurch promised to land him on his face. Twice his
knees doubled up like a foot-rule and the stout little sergeant had to
jerk him to his feet.

"Search 'em both. See if they've a flask betune 'em, Latham. Answer
me, Mullan, did you see the burned camp? Did you see the dead man?
Did--Oh, murther! he's gone! There's never a word to be got out of
aither of them this night. But don't you believe that letther, major.
Don't you trust a word of it; it's false as hell. It's only a plant to
rob ye of your escort first and your life and money later. That's it,
men, douse them, kick them, murther them both if you like,--the
curs!--and they'd drink when they knowed every man was needed." And
adding force to his words, Feeny drove a furious kick at the luckless
Mullan.

"Do you mean there is no truth in this? Do you mean you think it all a
fraud, a trick?" at last queried the major. "Why, it seems
incredible!"

"I say just what I mean, major. It's a plot to rob you. I mean the
gang has gathered for that very purpose. I mean that every story told
us about the Apaches west or south of here or between us and the Gila
is a bloody lie. The guard at the signal-station hadn't seen or heard
of them. They laughed at me when I told them what they tried to make