Let us hasten on. It was the thirteenth day out. The trail had crossed nearly the whole of the Indian Territory, and were within one day's march of Fort Farthermost, on the Texan frontier.
They had passed the previous night at Fort W., and at sunrise they had crossed the Rio Negro, and before noon they had made nearly a score of miles toward their destination. They halted beside a little stream that took its rise in a spring among the rocks on the right hand of the trail. Here the party meant to rest for two hours before resuming the march to Fort Farthermost, which they hoped to reach that same night.
As usual at the noon rest, mules and horses were unharnessed and led down to the stream to be watered and fed. Fires were built and rustic cranes improvised to hang the pots and kettles gypsy style. Since the first day out old Martha had been constituted cook and old John butler to our party.
In a short time Martha had prepared such a hot dinner as was practicable under the circumstances, and John had laid the cloth.
When all was ready the party of four sat down on the dry grass to partake of the meal, to every course of which they all did ample justice.
"This is our last al fresco feast," said Captain Neville, after dinner, as he filled the glasses of the two ladies and of Clarence Rockharrt and proposed the toast:
"Our lasting friendship and companionship."
It was honored warmly.
Next Clarence proposed:
"Mrs. Neville," which was also honored and responded to by the captain in a neat little speech, at the end of which he proposed: