"Wait!" called Curtis. "Keep your people quiet right where they are. You must help me. I depend on you. You must not alarm them." "I will do as you command," Bull replied, as he went away, but it was plain he apprehended violence. "What is the matter?" inquired Elsie. "The settlers have discovered the body of the herder who was killed, and Crow brings word they are angry. I don't think there is any danger, but I wish you and Jennie were at the fort for a few days. I don't like to have you disturbed by these things." It was their first meeting alone since their return from the camping-trip, but Elsie was too much concerned with the serious expression of his face to feel any embarrassment. "You don't think there will be trouble?" "No, only a distracting wrangle, which may prevent your getting models. The Indians are nervous, and are even now getting out for the hills. But I hope you will not be alarmed." "I'm not a nervous person." "I know you're not--that is the reason I dared to come and tell you what was going on. I deeply regret--" Wilson rapped on the door. "Major, you are needed. Bow-legs reports two bodies of armed men riding up the valley; the dust of their horses' hoofs can be seen. There are at least twenty men in the two squads," Wilson continued; "one came across from the West Fork, the other came from the south. It looks like a prearranged invasion." "Very well, Wilson, I'll be at the office in time to meet them." Curtis turned on Elsie a look which went to her heart. His voice was low as he said: "Let me take you over to Jennie. I presume these men are coming to make a demand on me for the murderers. They may or may not know who the guilty ones are, but their coming in force by prearrangement has alarmed the people." As she laid down her brushes and took up her hat she said, gleefully: "Father won't be able to ask me what I know about war--will he? Will they begin shooting at once?" "I don't think they are likely to do anything as a body, but some reckless cowboy may do violence to some Tetong, which will rouse the tribe to retaliation. The settlers have too much sense to incite an outbreak." At the door he said: "I wish you would go to Jennie. Tell her not to get excited. I will let you know what it is all about as soon as I find out myself. It may be all a mistake." As he was crossing the road Lawson joined him, and when they reached the gate before the office, several of the invaders had dismounted and were waiting the agent's coming. There were eleven of them; all were deeply excited, and two or three of the younger men were observably drunk and reckless. Streeter, stepping forward, introduced a short, sullen-faced man as "Sheriff Winters, of Pinon County." "What name?" said Curtis, as he shook hands pleasantly. "Sheriff Winters," repeated Streeter. "What is the meaning of all this?" queried Curtis.