THE BATTLE WITH THE INDIANS Corbin had gone with the detachment circling to the left, and "California Joe" was with the other in the valley, but Hamlin remained with the chief.

About them was profound silence, the men standing beside their horses.

There was nothing to do but wait, every nerve at high tension.

The wintry air grew colder, but the troopers were not allowed to make the slightest noise, not even to swing their arms or stamp their feet.

After the last detachment swept silently out into the night, there still remained four hours until daylight.