For had one of my men, no matter which one, disobeyed, I would have had him triced up in a twinkling and given a hundred lashes.
Which meant, also, that I would have had to kill him sooner or later.
There was a stink of rum in camp that morning and it is a quaffing beverage which while I like to drink it in punch, the smell of it abhors me.

And ever and anon my Indians lifted their noses, sniffling the tainted air; so that I was glad when a note was handed me from Boyd saying that we were to take a forest stroll with my Indians around the herd-guard, during which time he would unfold to me his plans.
So I started for the fort, my little party carrying rifles and sidearms but no packs; and there waited across the ditch in the sunshine my Indians, cross-legged in a row on the grass, and gravely cracking and munching the sweet, green hazelnuts with which these woods abound.
On the parade inside the fort, and out o' the tail of my eye, I saw Mistress Sabin knitting on a rustic settle at the base of Block-house No.

2, and Captain Sabin beside her writing fussily in a large, leather-bound book.
She did not know that the dovecote overhead was now empty, and that the pigeons had flown; nor did I myself suspect such a business, even when from the woods behind me came the low sound of a ranger's whistle blown very softly.

I turned my head and saw Boyd beckoning; and arose and went thither, my Indians trotting at my heels.
Then, as I came up and stood to offer the officer's salute, Lois stepped from behind a tree, laughing and laying her finger across her lips, but extending her other hand to me.
And there was Lana, too, paler it seemed to me than ever, yet sweet and simple in her greeting.
"The ladies desire to see our cattle," said Boyd, "The herd-guard is doubled, our pickets trebled, and the rounds pass every half hour.

So it is safe enough, I think." "Yet, scarce the country for a picnic," I said, looking uneasily at Lois.
"Oh, Broad-brim, Broad-brim!" quoth she.