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"Soldiers for Brannon, I reckon," she said aloud to Simon, who had given over his butting and was thoughtfully sniffing the air. "Still," she added, "they're coming slow for soldiers." Simon rubbed a red shoulder against her arm confidingly and gave a defiant, sideways toss of the head. "You know, don't you?" Dallas said, scratching the star in his curly forehead.
The evangelist called by once or twice, when storms or the rushing icepack in the river did not prevent his crossing. As for Lounsbury, he traversed the bend often on his way to Brannon and, if he saw a face at a window, waved his hand in pleasant greeting. But he kept to the road. Since the morning of the aurora, the little family had ceased to speak of him.
"Now, if you come to the Fort to live " "Matthews could move into the shack." "Hardly that, with the backing you have. The boys at the post would never see Matthews take your home. Believe me, as long as you and your father care to live here, you can. Public opinion over there" he pointed to Brannon "is strong in your favour. And there is Lounsbury, too. Why, that man is helpless."
He put his load down gently; then, unbidden, rushed through the door for Brannon. When Captain Oliver arrived, with Fraser, a surgeon and a detachment of mounted men, Dallas was seated in the doorway, rocking Marylyn against her breast. She looked up, dry-eyed, as he hurried to her. "What'd they do it for?" she asked him, brokenly. "How could they hurt you, dad?
One day brought a totally unexpected visitor, whom Lancaster recognised with some misgivings as the United States land-agent at Bismarck. The section-boss was soon reassured, however. The agent said that, having business near Brannon, and remembering that Lancaster wished to file an entry on the bend when the first claimant's six months were up, he had come by.
Then, it was Jamieson for whom the evangelist was caring. And Jamieson held the very heartstrings of the garrison. As for Lounsbury, Brannon entertained him no less gladly. His was the rare good-humour that enlivens every occasion.
At the same time the visitor unknowingly covered himself forever with suspicion. Through the frosty air and the darkness rang out the first trumpet blast from Brannon. And, as if totally unconscious of the action, David Bond reached up and bared his head. "I love that summons," he said; "it bids our good lads wake and do their duty." Lancaster was not unmindful of the courtesy due a guest.
You think a heap o' him, don' y'? More 'n you do o' you' father! Thet sticks out like a sore finger." "No," she answered simply. "I'm putting my pride in my pocket, dad. I'm going to Mr. Lounsbury because I care so much for you, and for Marylyn. And I want to say something I hate to say it you've almost discouraged me about Brannon lately. We came here to raise stuff to sell over there.
Charley was not watching toward Brannon, only along the nearer bank, to the south. Of a sudden, as their eyes followed his, a gun-shot rang out from the cottonwood grove. "Mr. Lounsbury!" cried Dallas, starting forward. "No he's gone " That moment they saw between them and the landing the silhouette of a figure. It was not Lounsbury's; it was too short and thick-set for his.
"Why, Buckskin's a tactician; knows what the trumpet says better than I do." Night settled swiftly. Despite Lounsbury's prophecy, the temperature was not unbearable. The wind died with the glow in the west, leaving the air so still that, to the watchers among the trees, sounds from Brannon mingled distinctly with the near laughter and talk of Shanty Town. No moon rose.
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