“It will be a burden to you, during this hot day,” was her evasive answer.
“But I have carried it many times and found it no burden.”
“And of late you have left it behind because it was an incumbrance; if you prefer to take it, do so.”
“I prefer always to please my little wife,” he said, kissing her once more, and finally: “I pray that neither of us will ever need it again for the use to which it has been put so many times.”
A few minutes later he was in the saddle and headed for Fort Reno. He had abundance of time at command and rode past the home of his friend, Captain Murray.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” he called, as the two greeted each other.
“Nothing for me, thanks, but something for yourself.”
“What’s that?”
“Keep cool; we are going to have another pull at the furnace; I don’t envy you your ride.”
“I got used to all sorts of weather in the army; so did you, but you are growing effeminate; luxury and idleness are bad things, captain.”