She had seemed to care, to feel an interest deeper than mere curiosity.

The Sergeant's heart beat rapidly, even while he sternly told himself he was a fool.

A hand touched his shoulder, and he wheeled about to grip Wasson's hand.
"Well, 'Brick,' old boy," said the scout genially, although his thin face was as solemn as ever; "so you fellows have come back to be in the shindy ?" "We 've been in it all summer, Sam," was the reply.

"It's been lively enough south of the Cimarron, the Lord knows.

I 've been riding patrol for months now.