“That sound never rang in my ears so fine as it does now!” he remarked.
Dell rode alongside of him and pulled the packet from her waist. In the daylight she could see that it was stained redly.
“What ye goin’ to do with that?” inquired Patterson.
“You started with the despatches,” answered Dell, “and you’re going to deliver them.”
“That’s your right,” expostulated the sergeant.
“It’s your right, Sergeant Patterson! You’re a brave man, and delivering the despatches is your duty.”
Leaning sidewise in her saddle, Dell thrust the packet into the front of the trooper’s red-stained blouse.
Patterson tried to thank her for her thoughtfulness and generosity, but the words died on his lips and he drooped forward, again fainting from sheer weariness and loss of blood.
Dell supported him as she had done before, and thus they rounded the bend in the cañon and came within sight of the military headquarters in the field.