Page:Boys of the Fort.djvu/79

Rh "I see." The lieutenant turned to the privates. "Men, you may dismount and tie up the horses for the present. We won't be going back just yet."

Lieutenant Carrol leaped to the ground, and one of the privates took charge of his steed. The young officer was a handsome fellow, with a smiling face, and both Joe and Darry took to him at once.

"Yes, Captain Moore and I are great friends," he said. "You see, we went through West Point together, and we have been more or less together 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-morrow with that money."

"To-morrow! Then they'll have time to warn him."

That depends upon circumstances. The quartermaster is an odd sort of a fellow, and sometimes changes his mind about routes. He