Between thar and Union, thar's a bunch o' Mescalo Apaches raisin' thunder.

One lot got as far as the Caches, an' burned a wagon train, but were run back into the mount'ns.

Troops are out along both sides the Valley, an' thar ain't been no stage held up, nor station attacked along the Arkansas.

I reckon yer pa 'll have an escort waitin' at the crossin' ?" "Of course he will; what I am most afraid of is that I might miss him or his messenger on the route." "Not likely; there's only two stages a week each way, an' they have regular meeting points." She sat quiet, eyes lowered to the table, thinking.

She liked the man, and trusted him; he seemed kindly deferential.