Part 9 (1/2)
”You are fro forward to meet them
”Yes,” was the answer from the lieutenant ”Which of you is Joseph Moore?”
”I alad to know you, Moore Your brother, the captain, and I are great friends I am Lieutenant Richard Carrol”
”Oh, I've heard of you,” answered Joe, s ”Will has often mentioned his chum, dick Carrol, in his letters This is my cousin, Darry Gerht?”
”He did,” answered Lieutenant Carrol, as he shook hands with both boys
”And your brother and a detachone out to look for Matt Gilroy and his gang Benson ith them, and I was asked to come down here and escort you to the fort”
”Ifhe should have coht and stole our three horses”
”Is it possible! And where is Hank Leeson?”
”He went after the for his return at any ot back”
”I see” The lieutenant turned to the privates ”Men, you may dis back just yet”
Lieutenant Carrol leaped to the ground, and one of the privates took charge of his steed The young officer was a handso face, and both Joe and Darry took to hireat friends,” he said ”You see, ent through West Point together, and we have been ether ever since He has often told me about you two fellows, so I feel as if I've known you for a long while” He looked at Joe ”You must have had quite an adventure with those desperadoes at the cave”
”I did have,” answered Joe ”I hope my brother and the others round them up Do you know if they came anywhere near here?”
”No, they struck off on another trail--the one the quartermaster is expected to use You see, he is to come in to-morroith that money”
”To-morrow! Then they'll have time to warn him”
”That depends upon circumstances The quarteres his mind about routes He may come in the e expect, and he may take some entirely different trail”
”We can't say when Leeson will be back,” put in Darry ”But it seems to me it is our duty to stay here until he returns; don't you think so, Joe?”
”I do, Darry But he will probably be back before long”
It was only a few minutes later when one of the privates cah the underbrush skirting the timber It was Hank Leeson, and he held his mare to a walk, for Nancy was all but exhausted
”Mornin', lieutenant!” he called out, as he drew closer and saluted
”Come for them boys, I reckon”
”I did, Leeson They tellWhat luck?”
Hank Leeson shook his head dubiously ”Reckon I didn't have any luck, lieutenant Got one shot, but if I hit it didn't count ot away, not only with the hosses belonging to the boys an' Benson, but likeith their ohich they had tethered in a hollow not far away”