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 XII

IS IT FOUND AT LAST?

"The Red River, men! Three cheers! We think we've found it at last!"

It was the evening of the second day's march into the southwest. The doctor and the lieutenant had gone out from camp, to survey about, as usual. The first line of mountains had been crossed and already every eye was eager and every heart was keen for the traces of the shifty Red River.

Matters looked promising, too. Noon camp to-day had been made at a little spring, the unfrozen waters of which flowed trickling and formed a small stream wending southeast for the bottom of the valley.

"The beginnings of the Red River—do you reckon it might be the beginnings of the Red River, cap'n?" the men queried.

But the lieutenant smiled and shook his head.

"I wouldn't dare say so, lads, and disappoint you. We may be a long way yet from the real Red River."

Still, some of the men did not believe him, until