"Miss Molly and I have known each other for some time," explained the Sergeant bluntly. "Out here alone we discovered we were more than friends. That is all, sir."
For an instant Elliott hesitated, held by the strange etiquette of rank, then the gentleman conquered the soldier, and he drew off his glove, and held out his hand.
"I can congratulate you, Miss McDonald," he exclaimed frankly. "I have known Sergeant Hamlin for two years; he is a soldier and a gentleman."
The red blood swept into her cheeks, her eyes brightening.
"He is my soldier," she replied softly, "and the man I love."
They rode together down the steep hillside covered with its mantle of snow to join the little body of troopers halted in the valley. Only once did Elliott speak.
"You know Black Kettle's camp, Sergeant?"
"We were almost within sight of it, sir. I saw his pony herd distinctly."
"Where was that?"
"On the Canadian, close to the mouth of Buffalo Creek."