He sat down and, turning toward Jean Pahusca, he studied the young half-breed carefully. Then he said briefly,
"You may go now."
We saluted and passed from his tent. Outside we had gone only a few steps, when the General overtook us.
"Baronet," he said, "you did right. You are a soldier, the kind that will yet save the Plains."
He turned and entered his tent again.
"Golly!" O'mie whistled softly. "It's me that thinks Jean Pahusca, son av whoever his father may be, 's got to the last and worst piece av his journey. I'm glad you didn't kill him, Phil. You're claner 'n ever in my eyes."
We strolled away together in the soft evening shadows, silent for a time.
"Tell me, O'mie," I said at last, "how you happened to find me up there two hours ago?"
"I was trailin' you to your hidin'-place. Bud, Heaven bless him, told me where your little sanctuary was, the night before he—went away." There were tears in O'mie's voice, but soldiers do not weep. "I had hard work to find the path. But it was better so maybe."
"You were just in time, you red-headed angel. Life is sweet." I breathed deeply of the pleasant air. "Oh, why did Bud have to give it up, I wonder."