Word was sent to Lieutenant Hubbell that Manuel Perea had been rescued, and the following morning all the New Mexicans not on duty rode into camp to congratulate the boy upon his escape.  Spanish cheers and Spanish felicitations filled the air for an hour.

When the volunteers had gone and quiet was resumed, Brenda came, and her delight at seeing the boys again showed itself in ceaseless caressings of Vic and many requests for a repetition of the account of their flying ride when the signal was waved from the butte.  When she at last withdrew, to repeat the story to her relatives, the corporals and I wrote a letter to Senora Perea, to be delivered by her son.  In my portion I related the circumstances attending his recovery, detailing the part taken by the boy corporals, the dog, and the troop.  I said no one desired to claim the generous reward she had offered, since no one in particular had rescued Manuel; many things had combined to enable him to escape.  If the lady insisted upon paying the reward, we all desired that it should be devoted to the education of Sapoya.

Frank added a few lines, and Henry closed the letter.  The younger corporal wrote: 

“I’ve laughed with the rest over my two days’ captivity among the Navajos, and made light of it.  I don’t mind telling you that after shivering through two nights without clothes and without enough blankets, being bitten by mosquitoes and flies, and scorched daytimes by the sun, I begin to think Manuel a great hero.

“You know when I saw you I told you I was going to bring back Manuel or be a prisoner with him.  That, of course, was all foolish talk, for I planned nothing.  To be sure, I was a prisoner with him for two days and had something to do about bringing him back, but it all happened without planning.  It seems as if God directed us all through.  Frank, Vic, the soldiers, officers, and myself—­even the dry time from Jacob’s Well to the Lithodendron—­all had something to do with finding Manuel.

“About the reward the lieutenant speaks of, we think none of us deserve it.  We’ve talked it over, and we think if you would give Sapoya a chance at school, and if you cannot make a white boy of him make him an educated man, that would be the best reward.  He’s very intelligent, and if he can have a good chance will learn fast.

“Frank and I have a scheme we hope you will approve of.  Mr. Duncan has secured a detail from the War Department to a boys’ military school in the States as instructor in tactics, and will probably go in November.  We are intending to ask papa to let us join that school after the Christmas holidays.  We want you to send Manuel and Sapoya there.  Won’t you, please?  Be sure and say yes.  Think what a fine chance it will be for Sapoya.

“You know we boys feel something more than a friendship for one another.  I suppose it is like the comradeship of soldiers who have stood shoulder to shoulder in battle.  There is a tie uniting us that is closer and firmer than friendship; we feel more like brothers.

     “We will write often.  Hoping Manuel will arrive home safe,
     and that he may never again be a captive,