All that can possibly
be done to aid Hampton I shall do--will you go?"
She looked helplessly into his face. "You--you don't like him," she
faltered; "I know you don't. But--but you will help him, won't you,
for my sake?"
He crushed back an oath. "Like him or not like him, I will save him if
it be in the power of man. Now will you go?"
"Yes," she answered, and suddenly extended her arms. "Kiss me first."
With the magical pressure of her lips upon his, he swung into the
saddle and spurred down the road. It was a principle of his military
training never to temporize with a mob--he would strike hard, but he
must have sufficient force behind him. He reined up before the
seemingly deserted camp, his horse flung back upon its haunches, white
foam necking its quivering flanks.
"Sergeant!" The sharp snap of his voice brought that officer forward
on the run. "Where are the men?"
"Playin' ball, most of 'em, sir, just beyond the ridge."
"Are the horses out in herd?"
"Yes, sir."
"Sound the recall; arm and mount every man; bring them into Glencaid on
the gallop. Do you know the old Shasta mine?"
"No, sir.
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