Chapter 13

           Thefirstraysfromarosyaurora,salutingtheflagofFortInge,fellwithamoresubduedlightuponanassemblageofobjectsoccupyingtheparade-groundbelow—infrontofthe"officers’quarters."

           Asmallsumpter-waggonstoodinthecentreofthegroup;havingattachedtoitadoublespanoftightlittleMexicanmules,whosequickimpatient"stomping,"tailsspitefullywhisked,andearsatintervalsturningawry,toldthattheyhadbeenforsometimeinharness,andwereimpatienttomoveoff—warningthebystanders,aswell,againstatoocloseapproximationtotheirheels.

           Literallyspeaking,therewerenobystanders—ifweexceptamanofcolossalsize,inblanketcoat,andslouchfelthat;who,despitetheobscurelightstragglingaroundhisshoulders,couldbeidentifiedasZebStump,thehunter.

           Hewasnotstandingeither,butseatedastridehis"olemaar,"thatshowedlessanxietytobeoffthaneithertheMexicanmulesorherownmaster.

           Theotherformsaroundthevehiclewereallinmotion—quick,hurried,occasionallyconfused—hitherandthither,fromthewaggontothedoorofthequarters,andbackagainfromthehousetothevehicle.

           Therewerehalfascoreofthem,orthereabouts;variedincostumeasinthecolouroftheirskins.Mostweresoldiers,infatiguedress,thoughofdifferentarmsoftheservice.Twowouldbetakentobemess-cooks;andtwoorthreemore,officers’servants,whohadbeendetailedfromtheranks.