“And another thing,” continued Eugene, when Featherweight paused, “didn’t we see Frank and the lieutenant looking at this very horse while we were on our way from the camp? That meant something, according to my way of thinking.”
“If I have been cheated,” said Archie, “I shall never hear the last of it.”
“But you haven’t been cheated,” said Eugene. “Lend me the horse for about five minutes, and you and Fred stay here till I come back. I’ll soon settle the matter.”
Archie’s saddle and bridle were quickly put upon the mustang, and then Eugene mounted him and rode around an angle of the stockade into the gate.
CHAPTER IV.
THE NEW HORSE.
As Eugene rode through the gate the sound of laughter, which he knew came from the lieutenant’s quarters fell upon his ear. Inside the apartment was gathered a gay party, consisting of the lieutenant, Frank Nelson and some of the younger officers of the Fort. The doors and windows were open, and they could see every thing that went on outside. The lieutenant was telling some amusing story, in the midst of which he suddenly paused, and jumping to his feet hurried to the door. Eugene saw him, but pretended he did not, and reining in his horse, began looking all about the Fort as if he were in search of somebody. The lieutenant said something in a low tone to those in the room, and in a second the doors and windows were filled with heads. That was quite enough to satisfy Eugene, who turned about and would have gone out again had not the lieutenant called to him.
“Hallo, there!” he exclaimed.
“Ah! glad to see you,” said Eugene, riding up in front of the young officer’s quarters. “Hope you are enjoying your usual good health. You haven’t seen anything of Uncle Dick about here during the last hour or two, have you?”