“Is your name Hall?” asked Colonel Strode abruptly.
“Why, yes,” replied Joseph, surprised that the Colonel should know who he was.
“I thought so. I recognized you by your horse.”
“This pony seems to be very famous,” laughed Joseph, patting The Swallow affectionately on the neck.
“I should say he was. You’ll be famous, too, if you don’t stop killing Indians.”
Joseph blushed furiously and was much embarrassed by this compliment, paid him in the presence of so many people. He could not say a word, but merely held the dispatches out to the Colonel.
“From Colonel Taylor, you say?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Joseph.
“All right, young man, and thank you very much. How is Colonel Taylor? He is a warm friend of mine and a splendid man.”
“He is very well,” said Joseph. Little did he imagine that the man they were discussing was later to become the president of the United States.