"I shall undertake the mission with pleasure, for Miss Foshay is a superb rider, fearless, and can use a weapon if need be, while if we have to run for it, I believe she would be no tax upon me whatever." "You really think then the Indians may be hovering about the trails already?" anxiously asked Colonel Crandall. "I had just returned from a scout, sir, and was coming to report to you when I got your order to come at once to you. I made a complete circuit, Colonel Crandall, and there are signs that the redskins are taking positions along the trails, and mean mischief." "Then it will be dangerous for Miss Emma to go?" "Hardly as much now, sir, and untrammeled, as it would be several days later with a wagon-train." "You are right, Carey, and I feel that she will be safe with you, for I know all that you are. I will see her at once, and arrange for you to start within a couple of hours." "I will be ready, sir. As I shall need my two horses, I will let Miss Foshay ride one, and you know their speed, sir." "Yes, no Indian can catch you, that is certain. Now go and prepare for your journey, and let me tell you again how much I dislike to part with you. I owe my life to you, Carey, and you are well aware how much my niece, Kate, owes to your pluck, for you saved her from the Indians, from that traitor guide, and afterwards from a fate hardly less cruel, from being forced into a marriage with that scoundrel Nevil, whom, I am happy to say, you drove out of the service. No, Kit Carey, I can never forget you, and all that you have done for me and mine, and God bless you, my noble young friend, will be my constant prayer," and the voice of the brave old officer quivered as he uttered the words and turned away to go in search of Miss Foshay, and explain to her that she could go under the escort of the young hero, Lieutenant Kit Carey, to join her father, and from thence to her home, for while on a visit to him, Captain Foshay had been unexpectedly ordered to the front. Kit Carey was, as he had said, a border boy, for he had been reared upon the plains by an old hermit hunter, who had skilled him in every kind of frontier craft. He had saved Colonel Crandall, a party of soldiers, and the colonel's niece, who had been led into a trap by a renegade guide, and this act had gotten for him a cadetship at West Point. He had fought his way through against every obstacle, and been ordered to the command of Colonel Crandall, as the latter's aide-de-camp, and at once had he rendered gallant services, which had made him famous as an Indian fighter. Years had passed, and he had faithfully rendered services to the Government, until he had won promotion, and on account of his splendid record had at once been ordered to the front to perform special service.