"You'll hear from this!" said the sheriff. "You'll find the State won't
stand any such foolishness."
Yarpe's ferocity had entirely evaporated. "'Bout face, boys; we're not
fightin' the United States army--I had enough o' that in '63. Clear out!
Our bluff don't go."
The cowboys, cursing under breath, whirled their ponies and followed
Yarpe, the redoubtable. The sheriff brought up the rear, still
contending for the rights of the county, but he retreated. Small as the
dusty squadron looked, it was too formidable, both because of its
commanders and because of the majestic idea it embodied.
Calvin was the last to leave. "I done my best, Major," he said, loudly,
in order that Jennie might hear.
"I know it, Calvin; come and see us again in your civil capacity,"
replied Curtis, and waved a cordial salute.
As the squadron fell in behind and was hidden by the dust of the passing
cattlemen, Curtis turned to where Elsie still stood. He was smiling, but
his limbs were stiffened and inert by reason of the rigidity of his long
position before the posse.
"We are saved!" he said, in mock-heroic phrase.
"Oh, wasn't it glorious to see the good old blue-and-buff!" cried
Jennie, the tears of her joy still on her cheeks. "I could have hugged
Captain Maynard."
"There is chance yet," said Curtis. "He's coming back."
Elsie did not speak for a moment. "What would you have done if they had
not come?" she asked, soberly.
"I could have delayed them a little longer by sending couriers to Elk
and Grayman; but let's not think of that. Let's all go into the house;
you look completely tired out."
Elsie fairly reeled with weakness, and Curtis took her arm. "You are
trembling," he said, tenderly.
"I haven't stirred for a half-hour," she said. "I was so tense with the
excitement. I feared you would be shot, and the tribe isn't worth the
sacrifice," she added, with a touch of her old spirit.
"I was in no physical danger," he replied. "But I should have felt
disgraced had the mob had its way."
"The people are coming back," said Lawson. "They have seen the
soldiers."
"So they are!" exclaimed Curtis. "They are shouting with joy. Can't you
hear them? The chiefs are riding this way already; they know the army
will protect them."
The thick mass of horsemen was breaking up, some of them were riding
towards the women with the camp stuff, others were crossing the valley,
while a dozen head men, riding straight towards the agency, began to
sing a song of deliverance and victory. Joyous shouts could be heard as
the young men signalled the good news.
"_The cattlemen are going--the soldiers have come!_"