"I know it, Calvin; come and see us again in your civil capacity," replied Curtis, and waved a cordial salute.
As the squadron fell in behind and was hidden by the dust of the passing cattlemen, Curtis turned to where Elsie still stood. He was smiling, but his limbs were stiffened and inert by reason of the rigidity of his long position before the posse.
"We are saved!" he said, in mock-heroic phrase.
"Oh, wasn't it glorious to see the good old blue-and-buff!" cried Jennie, the tears of her joy still on her cheeks. "I could have hugged Captain Maynard."
"There is chance yet," said Curtis. "He's coming back."
Elsie did not speak for a moment. "What would you have done if they had not come?" she asked, soberly.
"I could have delayed them a little longer by sending couriers to Elk and Grayman; but let's not think of that. Let's all go into the house; you look completely tired out."
Elsie fairly reeled with weakness, and Curtis took her arm. "You are trembling," he said, tenderly.
"I haven't stirred for a half-hour," she said. "I was so tense with the excitement. I feared you would be shot, and the tribe isn't worth the sacrifice," she added, with a touch of her old spirit.
"I was in no physical danger," he replied. "But I should have felt disgraced had the mob had its way."