They knew the chief at a glance, and were curiously watching
him as he went thoughtfully pacing across the parade by the side of the
temporary commander. They saw the orderly coming almost at a run from
the direction of the guard-house, saw him halt and salute, evidently
making some report, but they could not guess what made him so suddenly
start and run at speed toward the southward bluff, the direction of the
trader's corral and stables, while Captain Dade whirled about and
signalled Sergeant Crabb, of the cavalry, left behind in charge of the
few custodians of the troop barracks. Crabb, too, threw dignity to the
winds, and ran at the beck of his superior officer.
"Have you two men who can ride hard a dozen miles or so--and carry out
their orders?" was the captain's sharp demand.
"Certainly, sir," answered Crabb, professionally resentful that such
question should be asked of men of the ----th Cavalry.
"Send two to report to me at once, mounted. Never mind breakfast."
And by this time, apparently, the chief, the post commander and possibly
even the aide-de-camp had forgotten about the waiting coffee. They still
stood there where they had halted in the centre of the parade.
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