Then, as Kit Carey threw himself into his saddle and wheeled alongside of her, she cried suddenly as she burst into tears: "Oh, Lieutenant Carey! what harm may I not have done, for I told you a falsehood, for the Red Hatchet is the most desperate leader of the hostiles!" CHAPTER XI. A PUZZLED SOLDIER. The daring young cavalryman, who would face any danger with a nerve of iron, fairly started and turned pale under the sudden confession from Jennie Bernard. "I have told you a falsehood, for Red Hatchet is the most desperate leader of the hostiles." Kit Carey was almost dazed for a moment, and could only look at the young girl for a more thorough explanation of her strange words and actions. Suddenly he recovered himself, and wheeling his horse seemed about to ride back in pursuit of the Sioux chief. Discerning his purpose, the girl cried quickly: "Hold, sir! you would only dash into a peril your daring could never save you from, while it would be useless to pursue Red Hatchet with the start he has." "I believe you are right in that," he answered, thoughtfully. "Come, lieutenant, you were to be my escort home," said the young girl. "It does not appear that you need an escort, Miss Bernard, from any fear of danger, as the Sioux chief is your friend." She flushed at his words, for she recognized their significance in an instant, and, almost eagerly, said: "Do not spring at conclusions, sir; but come with me, for I have something to explain, while I may tell you that which may be of service to you, as an officer of the army. Is your command within call, may I ask, and is it sufficiently large to keep at bay a force of a hundred or more redskins?" Kit Carey was about to answer that he had no command, or one that he could call upon, when he thought how strange was the manner of the girl, and her question as to its numbers, while she had shown such eagerness for the escape of the Sioux chief. Could her love for the Indian have made her a renegade to her own people, he wondered. "Love will cause one to do strange things," he muttered to himself, and in reply to her question he responded: "My command will be within call when needed, Miss Bernard, but you were saying----" "I am glad you have a force near, for now I breathe more freely, Lieutenant Kit Carey." "Ah! And how did you know me as Kit Carey?" he asked, with considerable surprise, recalling that he had not spoken of himself except as Lieutenant Carey. "Are there two of your name in the army, sir?" "Not two bearing the name of Kit Carey." "You were lately on the staff of Colonel Crandall at Fort F----?" "Yes." "You are the one of whom I have heard a great deal, for your deeds have often been discussed around our hearth, Lieutenant Carey. I was sure when you said that your name was Carey that you must be Lieutenant Kit Carey, as you look like just such a man as he is described as being."