A dashing soldier, fearless to recklessness, handsome as an Adonis, and a hero, it was no wonder that Kit Carey was popular with his brother officers and the soldiers as well, and it was predicted that if there was another Indian war he would win still higher promotion, in spite of his youth. Such was Lieutenant Kit Carey, a gallant soldier of the Seventh Cavalry, who was again to face death in its worse forms in fighting the treacherous Sioux, who knew him well and feared him, yet respected him as well, for never had he broken faith with them in war or peace. CHAPTER II. THE PREMONITION. In just two hours after receiving his orders to go to the front, Lieutenant Carey rode up to the colonel's quarters and dismounted, and an orderly led behind him a horse equipped with a lady's saddle, while groups of soldiers stood about and shook their heads ominously at thought of the daring venture to be made by the young officer and his fair charge. Lieutenant Kit Carey was splendidly mounted, and ready for the field, when he presented himself before Colonel Crandall, for he had on his sword, a revolver in his belt, and a pair of Colt's, of heavy caliber, in his saddle holsters. A blanket rolled behind his saddle, a pair of leather pockets attached to his saddle, and an army overcoat, made up his equipment, for he was going "light," as the soldiers say. There was a revolver in the holster attached to the lady's saddle, a pair of leather pockets, a closely-rolled _serape_, and no more, for Miss Foshay's and the lieutenant's baggage was to follow by wagon-train a few days later, when a force was to go from Colonel Crandall's post to reinforce General Brooke in the field. "I am ready, Lieutenant Carey, and must thank you for being willing to submit to my company on your long ride," said Emma Foshay, a beautiful girl of eighteen, with a face that revealed a noble nature. Her form showed its graceful proportions well in her close-fitting riding habit, trimmed with brass buttons and gold lace, and upon her head she wore a slouch hat with a broad brim, looped up with a pair of miniature gold sabers. "I am happy, indeed, Miss Foshay, to have such pleasant company upon the long, and, permit me to say, rough ride. But I deem it my duty to tell you that it may be one of great peril, and that the ride may be an all night one." "I thank you for the warning, Lieutenant Carey; but I have weighed the situation well, and I am ready to put up with all the hardships you may have to undergo, while the danger but adds a charm to the ride. Candidly, though, my mother is a great invalid, and I only stole a few weeks' respite to come here and visit papa, who had to obey orders, and if my mamma should not have me near her, knowing the situation, I feel for the result, so I am determined to go, visit father for an hour in camp, and then hasten on to the station to take the train for home. Now you understand my position, Lieutenant Carey."