The scout at last spoke in his slow drawling way.
“Guess it’s played out, Colonel,” he said. “We’re up agin it.”
It didn’t seem clear to what he referred, but the other understood him.
“Yes, they’re working this way,” he replied. “See, something has been fired away to the right front. They may be working round that way and will miss us here. What are our chances?”
“Nix,” responded the scout decidedly. “Them critturs hev got to git around this way. They’re on a line that’ll strike Fort Randall, wi’ a heap more military ’n they’ll notion. They’ll strike south an’ sweep round sheer through to Wyoming. We’re dead in their line.”
“Then we’d best get back and prepare. Mrs. Raynor and Marjorie will have turned in; we can do it quietly.”
“Yup.”
They rose and returned to camp.
Colonel Raynor had intended to avoid his wife’s tent. But Alice was waiting for him on the outskirts of the camp. The scout saw her and discreetly passed on, and husband and wife were left together.
“Well?”