St. Landry democrat., 1884-07-05


under Lieutenant Halsey to parade at
four o'clock p. M, with overcoats, two
days rations, ball cartridges; also for
Acknowledgment KesIer to report for
duty with the party. Orders as to des-
tination were communicated direct to
the Lieutenant from the Post Command
er, and on the minute the little column
moved, taking the road to the station.
The regiment from which it came had
been in active service among the In
dians on the frontier for a long time,
and the officers and men were tried and
seasoned fighters. Lieutenant Halsey
had been well known at the West Point
balls as the ''leader of the german"
From the last of these balls he had gone
straight to the field, and three years
had given him an enviable reputation
for sang froid and determined bravery.
He looked every inch the soldier as he
walked along the trail, his cloak thrown
back, and his sword tucked under his
arm. The doctor, who carried Modoc
bullet in some inaccessible part of his
Scared body, growled good-naturedly
at the need of walking. and the men,
enveloped in their army-blue overcoats,
marched easily in tours. Reaching the
station, the Lieutenant called the agent
aside, and with him inspected, on q
siding, long platform car on which
benches had been placed and secured.
Then ne took his seat in the station and
quietly waited, occasionally twisting
his long blonde mustache. The doctor
took cigar with the agent and the men
II. I I,h nf
platform. One of them, who obtained
a surreptitious glance at his silent COM
mander, told his companions that there
was trouble ahead for somebody.
That's just the way the Leftenant
looked, boys said he, ''when we was
laying for them Apaches that raided
Jones' ranch and killed the women and
little children. =
In short time the officer looked at
his watch, formed his men, and directed
them to take their places on the seats OF
the car. They had hardly done SO,
when the whistle of the approaching
train was heard. When it came up the
conductor, who had his instructions
from Sinclair, had the engine detached
and backed on the siding for the soldiers
car, which thus came between it and the
foremost baggage-car, when the train
was again made up. AS arranged, it
was announced that the troops were to
be taken certain distance to join a
scouting party, and the curiosity OF the
passengers was but slightly excited.
The soldiers sat quietly in their seat,
their repeating-rifes held between their
knees, and the officer in front. Sinclair
joined the latter and had few words
with him as the train moved on. A lit
tie later, when the stars were shining
brightly overhead, they passed into the
express-car, and sent for the conductors
and other train-men, and for Foster In
a few words Sinclair explained the posi-
ton of affairs. His statement was re-
ceived with perfect GOODNESS. and the
men only asked what they were to do.
81 hope. boys said Sinclair, that
we are going to put this gang to-nigh hit
where they will make no more trouble.
Lieutenant Halsey will bear the brunt
Of the fight, and it only remains for you
to stand by the interests committed to
your care Mr.. Express Agent, what
help do you want?" The person adj
dressed, a good-natured giant, girded
with cartridge-belt, smiled as he re-
piled:
Well, sir, I'm wearing watch
which the company gave me for stand
ing off the James gang in Missouri for
half an hour, when we hadn't ghost
of soldier about I'll take the con-
tract, and welcome, to hold this fort
alone"
Every we'll. said Sinclair. "Fos-
ter, what progress have you made9"
"Major, have got ten or fifteen as
good men as ever drawed bead, and
just red-hot for a fight"
That will do very well. Conductor,
give the train-men the rifles from the
baggage-car, and let them act under
Mr.. Foster. Now, boys, am sure you
will do your duty. That is ALL
From the next station Sinclair tele-
graphed 'sall ready to the Superin-
tendent, who was pacing his office in
much suspense. Then he said q few
words to his anxious wife, and walked
to the rear platform. On it were sew
eral armed men who babe him good
evening, and asked him when the fun
was going to Begin Walking through
the train, he found every platform SIM
ilarly occupied. and Foster going from
one to the other. The latter whispered
as he passed him:
Major, l found Arizona Joe, the
scout, in the smokin' car, and he is on
the front platform. That lets me out,
and although | know as well as you
that there amt no danger about that
rear sleeper where the madam is, l
amt a-goin' to be far off from her Z
Sinclair shook him by the hand; then
he looked at his watch. 1t was half
past eight. He passed through the
baggage and express cars, finding in
the latter the agent sitting behind his
safa (which la.; two larna ra.nlEars