“And you! Are you not in danger?” said Ruth Ramsey earnestly. “No, I am not in danger; but you must escape from the red devils, who will soon be on the warpath against every paleface who has lately come into the hills.” “You bring bad news, miss,” said the officer, “and yet I fear true tidings, as I know the bitterness of the Indians to those who would settle here. To-morrow night, you say, they will commence the attack?” “Yes, sir.” “And Major Wells will not be up before day after to-morrow, hasten as he may, and I have but fourteen men with me,” was the thoughtful statement. “You have other troops coming, then, sir?” asked Ruth anxiously. “Yes, over a hundred troopers; I was merely an advance guard; here, Wentworth, hasten back with all dispatch and ask Major Wells to ride his horses down but that he reaches here to-morrow night.” The captain turned to a horseman who was half scout, half soldier, and a bold-looking fellow, who promptly replied: “I’ll fetch him, Captain Archer, if hoofs can make it!” “Do so, Wentworth, and bring him to this point, do you hear?” “Aye, aye, sir!” and away dashed the courier at full speed. “Now, young ladies,” said the officer, “there is but one thing for me to do, and that is to go secretly into camp near here and await the attack upon the fort, and then endeavor to make the redskins believe a large force of cavalry has come to the assistance of the settlers. Were the Indians to know that I had but my present force they would not fear me, so I beg that you keep my presence in the hills a secret, and in the time of need I will be on hand. My orders, Miss Ramsey, are to protect the lives of the settlers.” “I will guide you to a safe place, sir, where you could conceal a hundred men,” Pearl volunteered. Then she considerately added: “We should first see this lady home.” “True. Miss Ramsey, we will ride with you to within a short distance of your camp,” replied the young officer. The cavalcade at once moved off, Pearl guiding, and as they rode along the two girls and the young officer chatted pleasantly together. At length the stockade was visible, and the party halted, while Ruth, after bidding adieu to the captain, kissed her new-found friend and rode on alone. Then away dashed Pearl, side by side with the captain, and behind came the troopers riding in Indian file. A gallop of two miles brought them to one of those gorges so common in the Black Hills, and into this Pearl led the way until they came to a small glen, fertile and well watered. “Here you can rest secure, sir. If there is any change in the plans of the Indians, I will come and let you know,” said she. Then she made known to the officer all that had transpired, with which the reader is already acquainted. In surprise and astonishment, the young man listened: and then said kindly, taking her hand: