"Well, it isn't such a good joke as it seems," said Kit reflectively. "A young fellow in the army, and with the backing he has, can make it pretty disagreeable for fellows like us living and doing business in a country where an army post is part of the civil government. Have you thought of that?" "Kit's right," said Ted. "I guess we've made an enemy. But I'll be mighty glad of it if it serves to accomplish one thing." "What's that?" asked Ben. "If it will keep him away from Hallie Croffut," was the answer. "I reckon there's others who will help attend to that," said Ben sturdily, whereat several of the boys smiled. Ben was forever coming to the rescue of maidens in distress, especially if they were more than merely pretty. "We've all got to do our share at cheering the poor girl up," said Kit, with a sly glance at Ted, who grinned. "Oh, I guess I'm large and strong enough to carry my own burdens," said Ben. "I've managed to pack a good many of them' so far without getting round-shouldered." "Yes, and without losing your appetite." "Hush, boys," cautioned Ted. "Here come the girls." Stella came out of the house, bearing in her arms a lot of shawls and bundles, followed by Mrs. Graham and Hallie Croffut. "When you see me coming at this stage of the game loaded down like this you'd know for sure that Auntie Graham was going on a roughing trip." "That's all right," said Kit. "Mrs. Graham can take whatever she likes on the trips, if she'll only go along." "You're a nice boy, Kit, to say such nice things," said Mrs. Graham, smiling. "But you're all nice boys to take an old lady like me with you, and stand for all my laziness and tantrums." "That's right, auntie, you keep on with that line of talk, and you'll get these fellows so spoiled that I'll have to begin training them all over again. I just had them so that they were going along all right. But you mustn't let them know they're nice, or they'll quit being nice right there. Come, fellows, help carry Auntie Graham's things down to the wagon. We've got to get started pretty pronto." They were all ready to start when an orderly dashed up on horseback, and handed Hallie a letter, saluted, and rode off. The girl tore open the envelope, and read its contents. "What shall I do?" she asked, handing the letter to Ted. Ted's eyes ran over it rapidly. "Forget it," he answered, crumpling the note in his hand and throwing it away. CHAPTER XXIX. RUNNING BEAR'S SQUAW. As they rode away to join the herd, which had been moving slowly northward, Hallie and Stella rode together, and Hallie was telling her friend what she felt, and what she thought about her break with Lieutenant Barrows. "That note was the most impertinent thing I ever read," Hallie was saying. "What was it all about? Ted did not think it was of much importance," said Stella. "And yet it was all about him." "You don't say so. What was it?"