The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-07-25
THE IRON FooTsrEp,

THE IRON FooTsTEp+
A,veteran Scottish regiment, dur
ing season of great mortality, was
stationed upon a high bluff Of the
island of Dominica, overlooking the
town and the harbor; inland, were
several long one-story buildings,
hastily erected of wood, for the &C
commodation of the officers of the
corps, with three or four rooms on
each end, opening upon piazza to-
ward the sea, and communicating
with each other by means of side
door, which was occasionally left
open for the freer circulation of air.
In one of these barracks were
quartered three officers of the regi-
ment, Major Hamilton, Captain Cor
don, and third whose name I can
not at this moment recall. Major
Hamilton's apartment was in the
centre. He had lost leg in the SER
vice, and usually wore wooden pin,
or stick, shod with iron; and being
an alert man, fond of exercise, used
to walk up and down this piazza for
hours together, stopping occasion
ally at Gordon's door or window, and
sometimes looking in at that of the
other officer, exchanging cheerful
word with them as they sat each in
his apartment, endeavoring to be-
guile the time with dressing, reading,
writing, thoughts of promotion, Of
home, and of speedy and happy
return to Britain.
The sound of the Majors step
was peculiar. It was only the blow
given by the iron ferule at the end of
his wooden leg that was heard; for,
although stout man, he trod lightly
with the remaining foot, and heavily
only with the wooden substitute,
which gave forth its note at short in
tervais, as he paced to-and-fro, so
regularly, that there was a certain
pleasure in listening to it.
Sounds that strike the ear in this
measured way, afft It US more than
others. The attention becomes en-
gagged, and they grow emphatic as we
listen. The calkers hammer-stroke,
as it flies from the dock-yard of the
busy port, across some placid bay,
into the green and peaceful country,
IS an instance of this truth; associ-
ated with this measured movement
OF the Major, was his deep CHEEKY
voice, that made light of danger and
difficulty; whether on the field of
battle, or as now amid the sickness,
which, in mockery of the beauty of
tropical skies and scenery, was de-
Vastating the colony at this melan-
choly period.
This sickness proved fatal to seve-
raj officers OF the regiment; and after
some time, Major Hamilton was
taken down with it. He expired the
seventh day after he was seized, wild
with fever and delirium, while en-
deavoring to speak to his friend Cap
tain Gordon. He was buried under
arms at sunset of the same day.
Now it was on the second night
after this mournful event, that Cor
don, having retired to bed rather
later than usual, found himself un-
expectedly awake. He was not con-
scious Of any distressing thought or
dream, which should have occasion
ed this shortened slumber, and as he
commonly made but one nap of the
nlSAt, ana his rest had been latterly
broken by the kind Offices he had
rendered his comrade, he was half
surprised at finding himself awake.
De touched his repeater, and found
1t only past one o'clock. He turned
on the other side, and Composed
himself afresh. Thoughts Of his
friend came over his heart ga b;s
cheek reached the pillow, and he
said: Poor Hamilton! Well Goa
have mercy upon us!'' ~
He felt at the moment that some
one near him said, ''Amenp' with
much solemnity. He was effectuallv
reused. and asked, ''Who is there?"'
There was no reply. His voice
seemed to echo into Hamilton's late
apartment, and he then remembered
that the door was open that commu-
nicated between the two rooms. He