Little Glencaid was almost out of the world so far as recent news was concerned.

The military telegraph, however, formed a connecting link with the War Department, so that Brant knew something of the terrible condition of the Northwest.

He had thus learned of the consolidation of the hostile savages, incited by Sitting Bull, into the fastness of the Big Horn Range; he was aware that General Crook was already advancing northward from the Nebraska line; and he knew it was part of the plan of operation for Custer and the Seventh Cavalry to strike directly westward across the Dakota hills.

Now he realized that he was to be a part of this chosen fighting force, and his heart responded to the summons as to a bugle-call in battle.
Instantly the little camp was astir, the men feeling the enthusiasm of their officers.

With preparations well in hand, Brant's thoughts veered once again toward Naida--he could not leave her, perhaps ride forth to death, without another effort to learn what was this impassable object between them.