"
"Possibly," said the general. "And what did you tell me--she is Mrs.
Hay's niece? I don't remember _his_ having any niece when they were at
Laramie in '66, though I knew something of Mrs. Hay, who was then but a
short time married. She spoke Sioux and _patois_ French better than
English in those days. What is the young lady's name?"
"Miss Flower, sir. Nanette Flower."
The chief dropped his head on his hand and reflected. "It's a good
twenty years, and I've been knocking about all over the West since then,
but, I'd like to see Mrs. Hay and that young woman, Dade, whether we
overhaul Bill or not. I must go on to Beecher at once."
"You will wait for the cavalry from Laramie, will you not, sir?" asked
the captain, anxiously.
"I can't. I'll get a bath and breakfast and forty winks later; then see
Mrs. Hay and Bill, if he is back. They ought to catch him before he
reaches Sage Creek. There are your couriers now," he added, at the sound
of spurred heels on the front piazza.
The captain stepped forth into the hallway. A trooper stood at the front
door, his hand lifted in salute. Another, in saddle, and holding the
reins of his comrade's horse, was at the gate. A rustle of feminine
drapery swept downward from the upper floor, and Dade glanced up, half
dreading to see Esther's face.
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