The leader., 1889-12-21

WIDE. his lace white. Then be cane for
ward and walked before me and toward
the smithy, studying the valley, the hills
and the clouds. just above the shop
little bridge spanned the stream of hot
spring water, and as we stepped upon it
he turned, wrested my carbine from me,
trippcd me into an almost scalding bath,
half the garrison, and dozen men started
in pursuit. drew the Remington pistol
the army carried then and, dripping but
angry, tried to wing my man. He was
my charge and I dared not let him go.
But he did go. Behind the forge stood
half dozen horses. saddled, bridled. tied
to rope stretched between two posts.
The deserter cut the rope in twinkling,
mounted horse at the end of the line,
and galloped away leading every ready
mount there was in the fort. We saw
him rise over the little knoll that bounded
the army reservation Indifferent to the
rattling rain of bullets sent after him.
only riding in the van of wildly plung-
ing mass of frightened horses.
As I stood there, my clothing fast
freezing into coat of mail, Lieutenant
Bland came past me at striding walk
carrying a globe-sighted Winchester,
then comparatively new gun. He ran
to the little hill before us, dropped to
one knee and waited. 1t was minutes
later when the deserter, now mounted on
his choice of the herd, the rest flying
wildly across the valley, rose to the level
of knoll just half a mile away. Bland
adjusted his sight, took long aim, and
fired. He had risen to his feet to watch
the shot. 1t seemed an age afterward
when the deserter bowed forward, clung
to the horse moment, then fell to the
ground. He was shot through the
heart.
Payday is the regular soldiers golden
time. He discounts his pay, borrows
money, runs in debt, dreams of pickles
and canned salmon and builds castles in
the air about wonderful winnings at
various games, and all these visions are
dated s'Pay-day." The day before the
men are mustered, and those who are off
duty that golden dawn are envied indeed.
Some few there, as elsewhe re in life,
save their money, draw just enough to
live through on and deposit the rest in
the Government savings account, where
they draw moderate interest. But
mainly the men use all that is due them
and wish it were more. For half an
hour after the last man is paid the gen
eral settling of old scores goes on-the
clearing house transactions of the post.
Then tables are drawn into the middle of
squad rooms, mission blanket is spread
for a cover, and the devotees of poker
kindle their altar fires. For the edict
against gamonng IN the army may come
or may go-the game goes on forever.
A score of little games all over the camp
winnow the money into the hands of
dozen men, and these find place safe
from intrusion after Htaps," and play the
game till daylight-unless too many go
broke in the meantime. 1t is, of course,
a season of drinking. Men who walked
in all soberness throughout the month
fall victims to the seduction of Valley
Tan payday. Discipline is relaxed a
little, for even the officers feel the con-
tagion, and many of them rend the gam
bling rule from gusset to hem. 1t is
time for quarreling. Men in their cups
expect to buy courage in a bottle and
punish offenders of vanished days. 1t is
supposed the guard house will be full
next day, and if even the guard be sober
it is matter for surprise.
was walking past one winter night,
my slender pay in my deepest pocket,
small enough in all conscience, but rare
and welcome visitor, when shot was