"Certainly: how could it be otherwise," replied the doctor, with great emphasis. "What are your orders, colonel?"
"Tell one of the men," he said, in a voice very firm despite his physical weakness, "to go on ahead to the fort, and direct those who are there to salute us as we approach. Mr. West, you are my prisoner, but there are certain circumstances in your favor which I will consider. You shall have the liberty of the fort and valley, if you pledge your word not to attempt to escape for the present."
"With pleasure, colonel," I said; "and I thank you for your kindness."
"Grace," he said to his daughter, "remember that while Mr. West is our prisoner he is to be treated as our guest. See to it, for I am afraid this unfortunate illness will interfere somewhat with my duties as host."
"I will do my best," she said.
We proceeded at a deliberate pace across the plain. As we came close to the fort, the little brass cannon boomed again and again. The drawbridge was down, and the men whom we left at the fort were drawn up at parade in their best uniforms on either side of the bridge-head. They saluted as the colonel rode proudly and triumphantly between their lines in his litter.
He looked up at the flag which he loved so well, took off his hat, his face flushing with pride, and thus we carried him into the fort.