“To be sure I must see that you girls have some one here to look after you. Fortunately we’ve nearer neighbors than we had six months ago; the settlement’s growing, and since the treaty, and the coming in of the troops, there’s no fear of Injuns, so I reckon you won’t be carried off. I’ll see if Bud Haley will look after the crops and we’ll have to get some one to stay on the place to see to the stock.” John’s mind was working rapidly. He never delayed when there was any important matter to be settled. “I think old Pedro Garcia would be as good a man as you could get to stay on the place,” said Neal. “He knows how to get hold of the best of the Greasers and is rather particular who comes loafing about, on his daughter’s account. She’s a pretty little creetur, that Lolita Garcia, and I don’t wonder he watches her like a hawk. Suppose I go and look up the old fellow and send him over to you. I’ve no family to keep me and I thought you and I might start off soldiering together.” “First-rate idea,” declared John. “I’m with you, Neal. Then I will ride over to see Bud, and, if you will hunt up Pedro, we can make tracks in no time.” Christine offered no further word of protest, but watched the two men mount and ride off down the road and on till they were lost to sight. Then the girl felt an arm around her waist. “Isn’t it glorious,” said Alison, “to be a man and to be able to go to war?” “Yes, I think it is much more so than to be a woman and to sit at home and see your dear ones leave, to go perhaps to their death.” “Don’t hint at such a thing,” returned Alison. “We shall be sure to win.” “With no fighting?” “Of course there’ll be fighting, but John will not be killed.” “How do you know that?” “I feel positive of it. At all events we shall see none of the fighting, for it will not be in our part of the country. Mr. Jordan says so.” “You pin your faith on what he says, always, I think.” “No--yes, I believe I do, for he knows a great deal; he has lived here so long. Where did they go, Tina?” “John has gone to Haley’s and Neal to hunt up Pedro.” “Why Pedro?” “John thinks he can get him to stay here while he is away.” “Good! Will he bring his daughter? I’ve always been dying to see her; they say she is a beauty.” “Who says so?” “Oh, everybody; Neal Jordan.” “Is he everybody?” “No, but he certainly is somebody in this community. Where shall we put Pedro, Tina?” “In Steve’s cabin, I suppose,” sighed Christine. Alison felt the awkward silence which followed. She had no word of comfort to offer, and, as time went on, dreaded having the subject of Stephen’s disappearance come up. She realized that, though six months had passed, her sister had not forgotten.