Harper's Round Table, July 14, 1896

Set against the rugged Arizona frontier in the summer of 1896, the story follows two teenage sergeants, Frank and Henry, as they grapple with the monotony of daily gate‑keeping at a remote stockaded post. Their duties are punctuated by the companionship of a loyal white setter, whose affection offers a brief respite from the heat and labor. Amid the clang of field music and the distant rumble of a courier’s horse, the boys begin to sense that life at the fort may soon demand more than routine.

When a courier finally arrives, the boys are thrust into a secret postern—a concealed opening in the massive log gates—allowing them a swift view of the bustling road beyond. Their quick actions reveal both the discipline expected of young soldiers and the underlying yearning for adventure that simmers beneath the orderly facade of military life. Through crisp dialogue and vivid description, the narrative captures the tension between duty and the youthful desire to break free, setting the stage for the choices they will soon confront.