"The Colonel says you have a better view of that man, whoever he is, than he has, and he begs to know what you make of him," said Captain Kendall. "Is it Cyrus?"
"Yes, sir, it is Cyrus," replied the Second Lieutenant. "Take the glass and look for yourself."
Captain Kendall's observation was not a long one. He leveled the glass for a minute, and then handed it back.
"Guy," said he, forgetting that he was an officer and speaking to his subordinate, "your letter has worked wonders."
"Do you really think my letter had anything to do with that?" inquired Guy, so excited that he could hardly stand still.
"Know it? Of course it did. It was the only thing he had in his possession that kept him clear of being staked out."
The officer of the guard went back to the Colonel who had sent him to make inquiries, and Guy leaned upon the palisades and watched Cyrus as he came toward the Fort. As soon as he found out that he had attracted the attention of the soldiers, Cyrus put on his cap, took one look behind him to see what had become of the Sioux, and broke into a run. He had strange things to communicate and he was in haste to unbosom himself. The officer of the day admitted him at the gate, shook hands with him, and then, in obedience to some request that Cyrus made of him, conducted him to the Colonel. A few moments afterward the order came for the soldiers to march down to the parade ground and break ranks, and this left Guy at liberty to finish his nap from which he had been so violently aroused; but Guy had no intention of doing anything of the kind. When he broke ranks he hurried away to hunt his roommates, and found that they were on the same mission as he was.
"I say," whispered Perkins, "I believe your letter had something to do with Cyrus being among us safe and sound."
"So do I," said Guy. "Now how was it brought about? Has anybody seen Cyrus to speak to him since he came back?"
Nobody had, and we will take the liberty of going with him when he was led to where the Colonel stood. To say that Colonel Carrington was delighted to see him once more would be putting it very mildly. The commanding officer had almost as much affection for him as he would have had if Cyrus had been a younger brother, and it showed itself in the heartiness with which he grasped the scout's hand.