At late bedtime, when the officers and Bill were getting ready to start back to the garrison, Tom brought out and gave to Saunders and Wilson each a package of beaver skins, telling them of the overcoats we had intended to make of them and suggesting that they use them for the same purpose. We also gave each officer a couple of choice buffalo robes. "Now, men," said Saunders deprecatingly, "don't rob yourselves of these furs to reward us for doing our simple duty. We don't expect anything of the kind, are not entitled to any reward, and I don't think we ought to accept them, and----" "But, Saunders," interrupted Lieutenant Wilson, "when you come to think of the princely overcoats these beaver furs will make, it seems to me there would be no harm in accepting them--not as pay for doing our duty but just as tokens of friendship and good-will from these men." "Now you're getting it through you," said Tom approvingly. "That's the idea--just a friendly gift." And before Saunders could enter another remonstrance he added, as he gathered up an armful of the robes and skins: "Come, Jack, bring the rest and we'll tie them on their horses for them." As the three men mounted we bade them a cordial good-by and expressed a hope to soon meet them again in Leavenworth. We each gave Found an affectionate farewell hug, for we sincerely regretted parting with him. "You'd best keep Found tied up for a few days, Bill," suggested Jack as they started off, "lest he should scent our trail and follow us. And always take good care of him, for he's got more genuine nobility in him than lots of the so-called men I've met with." "You bet Found'll never want for good treatment while I'm around," answered Bill; and then, "Ta, ta, fellows, I'll see you in Leavenworth before long," he called back as they rode away into the darkness. During this day Mr. Kitchen, the proprietor of the neighboring train, had visited our camp and, after inspecting our wagon, team, and camp outfit closely, had asked if it would be for sale when we got through to Leavenworth. I answered: "Yes." "What will you take for it delivered to me there in as good condition as it is now?" he asked, adding: "I shall be close on your heels going in." After conferring with my partners we agreed to deliver the outfit in good shape at Jim Brown's livery stable, Fourth and Shawnee Streets, Leavenworth, for five hundred dollars. Kitchen readily agreed to take it and paid us a hundred dollars down to clinch the bargain. CHAPTER XXVI BACK TO GOD'S COUNTRY We were a cheerful trio next morning as we started out of camp on the home-stretch for "God's country," with Jack singing: "Ain't we glad to get out of the wilderness!"