Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-07-30

forth. Watkins had telegraphed that
he still saw no reason to doubt 5he good |
faith of his warning, and Sinclair had |
reported his receipt of authority and |
his acceptance thereof. Meanwhile,
also, there had been set in motion
measure of that power to which appeal
is so reluctantly made in time of peace.
At Fort lonely post on the plains,
the orders had that morning been is
sued for twenty men under Lieut..
Halsey to parade at 4 P. NJ, with over
coats, two days rations, ball cartridges;
also for Assistant Surgeon Kesier to re-
port for duty with the party. Orders
as to destination were communicated
direct to the lieutenant from the post
commander, and on the minute the lit
tie column moved, taking the road to
the station. The regimentsrom which
it came had been in active service
among the Indians on the frontier for
long time, and the officers and men were
tried and seasoned fighters. Lieut..
Halsey had been well-known at the
West Point balls as the "leader of the
he had gone straight to the field, and
three years had given him an enviable
reputation for sang froid and deter
mined 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 inacces-
sible part of his SCARED body, growled
good-naturedly at the need of walking,
and the men, enveloped in their army
blue over coats, marched easily in tours.
Reaching the station, the lieutenant
called the agent aside, and with him in
| spected, on siding, long platform
car on which benches had been placed
and secured. Then he took his seat in
the station and quietly waited, occasion
ally twisting his long blonde mustache.
| The doctor took cigar with the agent
and the men walked about or sat on the
edge of the platform. One of them,
who obtained surreptitious glance at
his silent commander, told his compan-
ions that there was trouble ahead for
somebody.
"That's Just the way the lieutenant
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 instruc-
tons from Sinclair, had the engine de-
10
the soldiers car, which thus came be-
tween 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 dis
lance to join scouting party, and the
curiosity of the passengers was but
slightly excited. The soldiers sat
quietly in their seats, their repeating RI
fes 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 little later,
when the stars were shining brightly
overhead, they passed into the express
car, and sent for the conductors and
other trainmen, and for Foster. In
few words Sinclair explained the po-
sition of affairs. His statement was re-
ceived with perfect GOODNESS, and the
men only asked what they were to do.
Il hope, boys" said Sinclair "that we
are going to put this gang tonight
where they will make no more trouble.
Lieut.. 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
addressed, good-natured giant, girded
with cartridge belt, smiled as he re-
piled:
"Well, sir, I'm wearing a watch which
the company gave me for standing off the
James gang in Missouri for half an
hour, when we hadn't a ghost of SOL
dier about. I'll take the contract, and
welcome, to hold this fort alone"
Every well" said Sinclair. "Foster,
what progress have you NADER"
major, I've got ten or fifteen as good
men as ever drawed head, and just
red-hot for fight"
"That will do very well. Conductor,
give the trainmen 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 call ready" to the superintend-
ent, who was pacing his Office in much
suspense. Then he said few words to
his brave but anxious wife, and walked
to the rear platform. On it were
several armed men, who babe him good
evening, and asked when the fun was
going to begin" Walking through the
train, he found each platform similarly
occupied, and Foster going from one to
another. The latter whispered as he
passed him:
major, I found Arizona Joe, the
scout, in the smokin' car, and he's on
the front platform. That let's me out,
and although I know as wellas you that
there amt no danger about that rear
sleeper where the madam is, I amt
a-going' to be far off from her," Sinclair
shook him by the hand then he looked
at his watch, It was half-past eight.
He passed through the baggage and ex-