Ze Americaine muskeet, eet carry so far--ess eet not so ?" Hamlin patted his brown barrel affectionately as if it were an old friend, and smiled across into the questioning eyes of the girl.
"I 'm willing to back this weapon against the best of them for distance," he replied easily, "and it's accurate besides.

How about it, Moylan ?" "I 'd about as soon be in front as behind one of them cannon," answered the sutler soberly.

"I toted one four years.

But say, pardner, what's yer name?
Yer a cavalryman, ain't yer ?" "Sergeant--forgot I was n't properly introduced," and he bent his head slightly, glancing again toward the girl.

"Hamlin is the rest of it." "'Brick' Hamlin ?" "Sometimes--delicate reference to my hair, miss," and he took off his hat, his gray eyes laughing.