“We have only two ambulances, captain,—­that is all there was at the post when the despatch came,—­and there are a dozen of these men, besides Dr. Grimes, all more or less crippled, and Grimes has both hands frozen.  We must get them out at once.  Can we take your wagon?”

“Certainly, doctor.  Take anything we have.  If the storm holds, tell the driver not to try to come back for us.  We can make the ladies comfortable here at the hotel for the night.  Some of the officers have to get back for duties this evening.  The rest will have to stay.  How did they happen to get caught in such a freeze?”

“They couldn’t help it.  Stannard had chased the Cheyennes across the range, and was ordered to get back to the railway.  It was twenty below when they started, and they made three days’ chase in that weather; but no one seemed to care so long as they were on the trail.  Then came the change of wind, and a driving snow-storm, in which they lost the trail as a matter of course; and then this blizzard struck them on the back-track.  Grimes is so exhausted that he could barely hold out until he got here.  He says he never could have brought them through from Bluff Siding but for Mr. Hayne:  he did everything.”

“Mr. Hayne!  Was he with them?”

“He was on the train, and came in at once to offer his services.  Grimes says he was invaluable.”

“But Mr. Hayne was East on leave:  I know he was.  He was promoted to my company last month,—­confound the luck!—­and was to have six months’ leave before joining.  I wish it was six years.  Where is he now?” And the captain peered excitedly around from under his shaggy cap.  Oddly, too, his face was paling.

“He left as soon as I took charge.  I don’t know where he’s gone; but it’s God’s mercy he was with these poor fellows.  His skill and care have done everything for them.  Where did he get his knowledge?”

“I’ve no idea,” said Captain Rayner, gruffly, and in evident ill humor.  “He is the last man I expected to see this day or for days to come.  Is there anything else I can do, doctor?”

“Nothing, thank you, captain.”  And the little surgeon hastened back to his charges, followed by some of the younger officers, eager to be of assistance in caring for their disabled comrades.  Rayner himself hesitated a moment, then turned about and trudged heavily back along the wind-swept platform.  The train had pulled away, and was out of sight in the whirl of snow over the Western prairies.  He went to his own substantial wagon, and shouted to the driver, who sat muffled in buffalo fur on the box,—­

“Get around there to the freight-house and report to the doctor.  There are a lot of frozen cavalrymen to be taken out to the hospital.  Don’t try to come back for us to-night:  we’ll stay here in town.  Send the quartermaster’s team in for the trunks as soon as the storm is over and the road clear.  That’s all.”