It would have been difficult if not impossible to patrol the bed of the river itself, for close to the water's edge there were places where no foothold could have been obtained even now, low as the water was.

Therefore it seemed most needful to watch the main wagon trail along the canyon shelf.
It was sun-fall of the third day after Doctor Barnes had left Mary Gage for her long wait in the dark.

The men had finished their work about the great dam, and were on their way to their quarters.

Sim Gage, scout, beginning his night's work and having ended his own attempt at sleep during the daytime, was passing, hatted and belted, rifle in hand, to the barracks, where he was to speak with the lieutenant in charge.

The two men of the color guard stood at the foot of the great staff, dressed out of a tall mountain spruce, at whose top fluttered the flag of this republic.