"Yes. He met me just before I left the reservation." "But I expected you to bring soldiers; how did you escape? Did you find the cattlemen gone?" "I flanked them." His face relaxed into humor. "Discretion is a sort of valor sometimes. I took the Willow road." Lawson now joined them, and in his hand-clasp was a brother's regard for the soldier. His smile was exultant. "Good work! I knew Calvin could be trusted. It looked bad for Cut Finger when we reached the half-way house." "You must be hungry!" exclaimed Elsie. "Sit here and I will order something for you." "I _was hungry_ an hour ago," he said, meaningly, "but now I am not. But I am tired," he added. "Where are the Parkers?" Elsie laughed. "On their way to civilization. They fled on the up-train." "The town is aflame," said Lawson. "You and your Tetongs are an issue here to-night. A big meeting is called, and the Senator is to speak. He has just discovered you," he added, glancing towards Brisbane, who had risen and was glaring at Curtis, his small eyes hot as those of an angry bear. "Excuse me, won't you?" pleaded Elsie, rising hastily. "I must go to him!" Curtis also rose and looked soberly into her eyes. "May I not see you again?" She hesitated. "Yes. I'm not going to the meeting. Come to our parlor when you are finished supper." He remained standing till she joined her father and passed from the room, then he turned towards Lawson, who said: "Seriously, my dear Curtis, you are in danger here. I hope you will not go out this evening. Even Uncle Sam's blue might not prove a protection in the dark of a night like this. Where did you house your men?" "At Ladue's, with orders not to leave the corral." "Quite right. Where is the sheriff?" This question brought a humorous light into the young soldier's eyes. "When I saw him last he was on Sage-hen Flat swinging his revolver and cursing me," and he told the story. Lawson grew grave. "I'm sorry you had to do that; it will give your enemies another grip on you. It's a mere technicality, of course, but they'll use it. You must watch every one of your clerks from this on; they'll trump up a charge against you if they can, and secure a court-martial. This election is really the last dying struggle of the political banditti of the State, and they will be defeated. Take to-night as an example. The reckless devils, the loud of mouth are alone in evidence, the better class of citizens dare not protest--dare not appear on the streets. But don't be deceived, you have your supporters even here, in the midst of this saturnalia of hate. You are an issue." Curtis grimly smiled. "I accept the challenge! They can only order me back to my regiment."