"Well, we don't often see the engineers on this sort of duty. I'm glad the general sent you along. What is it, captain?" he broke off, turning to a gray-mustached, choleric-looking veteran who came suddenly upon them, breathing rather hard.
"Major," began the stout man, impetuously, "this makes the third time in ten days 'F' Troop's been ordered on side scout, or some part of it. Now we're ordered back to hunt up what's left of that wagon camp, and—"
"One moment, captain," interposed the commander, placidly. "You say 'we.' My orders are only one officer and twenty men."
"Well, I have only one officer with me, and he don't belong," was the querulous rejoinder. "He's simply a volunteer with the command, and so utterly inexperienced that I consider it necessary to go myself. I can't trust my men to a mere boy just out of school."
"That will do, Captain Garrett," said the major, promptly, yet with absolutely unruffled tone and temper. "If I can, you may. Mr. Graham has had more experience than you are aware of."
"Does Mr. Graham go—in command?" asked Connell, eagerly, as Captain Garrett, silenced, but swelling with amaze, stood helplessly by. "May I go with him, sir?"
"By all means, Mr. Connell, if you wish."