The National tribune., 1889-10-10

face as the oath Of enlistment, so often lightly
spoken. was solemnly repeated, and Fred was
bound TO the service Of his country! How he
trembed from head 10 foot when but a few
weeks aflerward and in the dead of night
Charlton aud his men hurried forth 20 intercept
a band Of indians who had swoOped down upon
the herders south of Laramie Peak Waller
could hardly buckle the eantle-stTaps of Freds
saddle as the little fellow, all eagernesS, was
bustling ahout his horse in the dim light of the
stable lanterns Yet when the Captain and
Lieut. Rayburn came trotting briskly down
the roadway aud the men were silently lead
ing into line" il was the old SerPeauts hand
that grasped the boys left foot and swung him
lightly into his seat.
"wHATEvER HAPPENS, SIR, MIND YOU, KEEP
CLOSE TO TIRE CAPTAIN"
was his parting injunction 20 his boy. Then
his heels came together with the old cavalry
"click" and his twitching fingers were stiff
ened as they went suddenly up in salute TO Mr..
Rayburn. who bent down from his saddle TO
say that they would try and take good care OF
Fred. But Waller answered:
Z" I thank the Lieutenant. The boy is a
soldier now, sir. He must take his chances
with the rest" Then, with one lingering
clasp Of the trumpeter's hand, JON your
Captain he ordered, and turned away into the
darkness.
But the sentry on No. bore witness TO the
fact that the Ordnance Sergeant never went TO
bed again all that night, aud the men sent TO
unload aad store the ammunition that came
next day from Rock Island Arsenal declared
that old Waller WAS grutfer than ever All the
next night. too. he was awake, waiting, watch
ing for fidngs from the north Nothing came
until sunset of the second day, just as the
whole command was turning out for retreat
parade and then Corporal Rock rode in with
dispatches aud trotted straight TO where the
commanding officer was standing I'm front of
the Adjuiant's Office. All eyes were upon him
as he threw himself from the saddle and handed
the packet 10 the Colonel Half dozen Off
GERS FASTENED 10 join their commander rs he
tore il open. The piazzas of the officers quar-
tiers were quickly alive with ladies and chill
dren, breathlessly eager TO hear the news The
Eolonel's Orderly was seen Fastening 70 the
Surgeons huuse-that looked ominous-and
then Rock remounted; trutted to Capt. Charl-
toms gate, where Mrs. Charlton was tren-
bliugly awaiting him. Its ali right maam,"
be has,ened 10 say. " LeastwiSe the Captains
safe. bur Mnlligan is shoi-and Ryan and Ser
Eeant Fraser" She hurried into the house
with the precious letter he placed in her hands,
and while several ladies fastened 10 join her,
the messenger returned to the Office.
All this while Serg't Waller had stood like
statne under the tall white flagstaff, where
the non commissioned staff assembled at re-
treat watching every move with dry, aching
eyes, and a lace gray rs his mustache.
"TUE TRUMPET PEALED THE RETREAT"
the sunset gun thuuderei its goodnight to the
god OF dag: the Adiutant hurried and
Teceivs6 the repOr1s OF the companies. the
staff and baud, and then a messenger cAme rum
ming to them: Mrs. Charlton wants you,
Sergt Walter Fred al safe, but they ye had
s sharp ght"
The old man could not trust himself TO speak.
Listen 20 this Sergeant" exclaimed Mrs.
Charlton as she buried through the little group
oi ladies al her doorway, aud looked mp in his
face with tear-dlmned eyes: Tell Waller
that ~ q running fight of four miles Fred rode
close Et my heels, and no man could have
shown spirit o. less fear. ] am sure it
was . saot from has czrbine that tumbled one
war pony into the Laramie; and every call he
had 10 s0gnd rang cut clear Is a bell. Im proud
OF the boy"
Walters lace was tRitching and working; he
cleared has throat and tried 10 speak: he dashed
MS hand across his eyes and ground his heels
into tie gravel Of the walk: he heard the kind
and gentle voices Of the ladies joining in the
chorus Ol cOngFatulatiOn, bat he c0nld not see
their faces: a mist had risen before his eyes.
Even the old formula, ] thank the Captains
lHdF, had deserted him. lie mumbled some
8usriicnlate words. aud then. in dread OF disas-
tT0us breakdown. turned suddenly away and
strobe across the drive More than one woman
Ess In tears. There was not A ripple Of faint
ness the old Sergeant bad coilided with the tree
box at the edge OF the aceguia. Straight 10 his
humble quarters he went but they were
beautiful 10 him, radiant with the light Of Joy,
pride, gratitude aud love that be&med and
burned in his honest heart
AND nov. wear hter all the cavalry was IN
the hcld- Gold had tempted explorers and
miners innumerableto the Black Hills Of Da-
kOta-Indian land BY solemn treaty. The
Government warned the invaders back. but to
no purpose. The Indians swarmed from the
Agencies aud massacrcd all whom they could
overpoWcr Charlton's troop had early been
hurried up 10 Red Cloud and now, with others
WAS engaged in the perilous work Of
PATEoILtsG THE THAILs AROUND TIE TE-
DIAN HAUNTs.
Two months Of hard and most exciting
work had they bad, and still the troubles were
not over: and then. Just after the Paymaster
with his iron safe ana hristling escort had paid
tie outlying posts visit, and Capt. Charlton
had been ordered IN with him 10 attend a court
martial ~ Fort Laramie. there came week
that no man in 3 Troop ever forgot
AT. kayburn had been wounded. and was In
the hospital Il Fort Robinson. Twenty Of the
men were away on escort duty, and 50 il hap
pened that only young Lieut. Blunt aud
about % troopers were LEFT AZ the camp lust
west Of The Agency. Fearful that the money,
burning" as IL always does when in soldiers
Ps-ht-1F N'atA SfiA p Elih men 10 gamble or
drink and get into mischief around the crowd
ed post, Charlton had ordered that the troop
should march al once to the Niobrara aud wait
there iof his return. IL was known, Of course
that ma y Indian bands were cut and it prom
1sed 10 be adveEtuF0us il was Mr. BluBt's
bTFt independent command. too, and he felt q
trEe nervous. Al went well, however until
the morning Of the second day. when Serg't
Graham eEcitedly called his young commander
hlE face cl0lded with dismay
Lieutenant" be cried, Serg't Dawson and
several men were robbed last night. The
moneys clean gone"
Blunt was out Of his blankets in an instant.
How much is fnissingl" lac asked.
] cant tell yet, sr-a good deal. But that
Az not The worst oft"
bat on earth could be worsefD
Jrumpeter Walters gone, sir-deserted
taken Las horse arms. and everything"
TO be C0Htiaaedl
Couirades: IL you wish Tor profitable busi-
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