"Everything aboard and shipshape?"

"Everything but this," and Alan glanced at the black case on the
truck.

"I've carried it a thousand miles like a baby," laughed Ned. "Rode
with it all the way in the express car."

"Then you didn't sleep last night?"

Ned laughed. "It was too interesting," he answered, "and I can
sleep to-night. But I'm glad it's here with no one killed and not a
drop spilled."

Advancing leaning heavily on his cane, the military man had hurried
forward, his face radiant.

"Welcome, my boy, and congratulations. But for goodness' sake
hurry," he began hastily.

Ned smiled again. "I think we had better not hurry this," and he
pointed to the truck load. "That's the reason I'm late. I walked
the horses from the Union Depot. You see we can't afford to spill
our supplies. It was too hard to make and cost too much."

In another moment the truck was abreast of the open car door.

"Back her up," exclaimed Ned giving a hand himself to the tongue of
the truck. Then, as the top of the truck came up flush with the car
door and floor he sprang lightly on the truck and motioned the men