I have a troop in camp below," he pointed down the stream, "and am in command here." The scout nodded carelessly.
"Why did you not come down there, and report your presence in this neighborhood to me ?" Murphy grinned unpleasantly.

"Rather be--alone--no report--been over--Black Range--telegraphed--wait orders." "Do you mean you are in direct communication with headquarters, with Custer ?" The man answered, with a wide sweep of his long arm toward the northwest.

"Goin' to--be hell--out there--damn soon." "How?
Are things developing into a truly serious affair--a real campaign ?" "Every buck--in the--Sioux nation--is makin'-- fer the--bad lands," and he laughed noiselessly, his nervous fingers gesticulating.

"I--guess that--means--business." Brant hesitated.

Should he attempt to learn more about the young girl?
Instinctively he appreciated the futility of endeavoring to extract information from Murphy, and he experienced a degree of shame at thus seeking to penetrate her secret.