"With two such faithful defenders I defy the world!" he shouted, valorously. Thereupon they left off joking him. As they rose from the table, Curtis turned to Elsie: "Would you like to go with me to make a tour of the camp?" Her eyes lighted up. "I should like it exceedingly." "Very well, about three o'clock we will go. You will have time for a _siesta_. You must be tired." "Oh no, I am quite rested and ready to go any time," and her bright eyes and warm color confirmed her words. With military promptness the horses were brought round, and, accompanied by Maynard and Jennie, Curtis, with Elsie by his side, led the way to the camp. She was a confident horsewoman and rode a fine brown pony, and Curtis, who had never ridden with her before, glowed with pleasure in her grace and skill. As they galloped off up the road a keen twinge of remorseful pity for Lawson touched Elsie's heart. He was grown suddenly older, it seemed to her, as though he had definitely given up the attempt to remain young, and this thought made her rather sober. He was being left out of her plans now almost unconsciously, while the other-- "One of the real heroes in this affair," Curtis was saying, "is Crane's Voice. He has been in saddle nearly thirty-six hours, and is willing to start again to Pinon City if I ask it." "Of course you will not?" "No. I will send a white man. The settlers might do even Crane's Voice an injury." All was quiet in the camps, with little sign of the precipitate flight of the morning, either in the faces of the men or in the disposal of the tepees. The old men and some of the women came out to greet their Little Father and the soldier of the good heart, and Curtis gave out a tranquillizing message and asked, "Have you called the council?" "Ay, for sunrise to-morrow," answered Elk and Two Horns. "That is good," he replied. "Where are your young men?" "Some are in the hills, some are gone as messengers, others are watching the ponies." "Call them all in. I don't want them riding about to-night. Keep them in camp, close by the soldiers--then no harm will come to them." So, scattering greetings and commands, he rode through the two circles of tepees. The redmen were all eager to shake hands with Maynard, in whom they recognized a valiant friend as well as an old-time enemy. They found the camp of Grayman less tranquil, for the stragglers were still coming in from the hills, and scores of women were busy resetting their tepees. Grayman himself came forth, nervous and eager. "Ho, Little Father, my heart is glad that the soldiers have come." "We are all glad," replied Curtis. "Where is your son?" Grayman looked troubled. "I do not know. He is away with Cut Finger, my sister's son." "Cut Finger is bad company for your son." "I know it; but they are blood-brothers, as is the way of young men. Where one is, there the other is also."