The National tribune., 1889-11-14

as 1t chose. And now came the announcement
of the name that was most intimately connected
with the case and Serg't Dawson in his COM
plete uniform strobe into court, removed the
gRntlet from his right hand, and holding 1t
aloft looked the Judge Advocate squarely in
the face and swore to tell the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth. Then he sat
down and glanced quickly around him. but his
eyes did not seem to see Fred Waller, nor dld
they rest for an instant on Capt. Charlton, who,
tugging at his mustache, looked steadily at the
face of his left guide.
Then began the slow. cumbrOus and painful
method by which tho law of the land requires
military courts to extract their evidence, every
question and answer being reduced to writing.
Sergt Dawson gave, as required, his full rank,
troop, regiment and station, but hesitated as
to the latter point. 81 was left behind at Red
Cloud when the troop came away Sunday
week ago, sir, along with Private Donovan, and
we were kept there until got orders to come
here with the Hospital Steward. / just got in
this morning, and I'm told the troop is back
Rt the Platte crossing" But the matter of
station was Of no particular consequence, and
the examination proceeded. Yes, he knew the
prisoner, Trumpeter Fred Waller, Troop b, aud
had known him several years before he was
enlisted Told to tell in his own way what he
knew of the circumstances that led to the
charges against Waller, the witness cleared his
throat and began:
1t was the night they camped at the
Niobrara, giving tho date, that the pris-
Oner seemed restless. Ali the men ex-
pected the Indians to make an attempt to
run of the horses, and all were wakeful, bnt
he had most occasion TO notice Waller, who
didn't seem able to sleep. That night passed
without alarm Of any kind, but the next night
twas very dark; the moon went down at III and
the horses got to stamping and sIorting. Wit
ness was Sergeant of the Guard, and all night
long had to DO moving about among his sentries
and the herd. About midnight he had come in
TO the fire, where Serg't Graham was sleeping,
10 clean out his pipe, that had clogged. His
leather wallet with his money and some papers
was inside the canvas scouting jacket that tho
Captain allowed him and others of the men TO
wear, and he took the jacket off n few minutes
while be walked over 10 the stream and soused
his head and face in the cold water, thing he
always tried TO do when he felt sleepy. While
there he thought he heard call from the sentry
up the stream aud he ran thther and il was
just then the horses began making such a fuss.
He kept around among the sentries, trying to
find out the cause, and did not 90 back TO the
fire until all was quiet after o'clock, and
then he slipped into his jacket and overcOat
and hurried back to where Donovan was on
post below the bivouac. There was some noise
they could not understand FAR out on the prairie
IN that direction. He never
MISSED HIS WALLET
and the money till day break, when il was dis
covered that Waller had gone. He never heard
him steal away during the night, and was
simply amazed when told of his descrtiOn. The
Lieutenant bad been disposed to blame him at
first for letting the Trumpeter get away with
his horse, but no man could have been more
vigilant than he was. 1.-The Captain had never
blamed him. be was sure from the Captains
manner when be spoke to him about II at Red
Cloud. And Dawson looked confidently now
at his commander. but that gentleman never
changed muscle of his face.
As was customary, the Judge Advocate in
quired if the prisoner had any questions to ask,
and the spectators were amazed when he calmly
replied mo" Big beads of sweat were trick
ling down the Sergeant's face by this time, but
he could not control the look of wonderment
that flashed for one instant into his eyes at
this refusal of valued privilege.
Has the court any questionsf" asked the
Judge Advocate, and TO the still greater won-
derment Of spectators and witness no member
of the court appeared to care to inquire further.
When SeTg't Dawson left the courtroom and
walked away toward the barracks he knew
that ali eyes were upon him, and just as soon
as he could throw aside his saber, helmet and
full dress he lost no time in getting TO the
traders store and swallowing half tumbler Of
raw whisky. He thought the ordeal over and
that he was free. Ii was with sensation Of
something like premonition that as hc came
forth he saw at the barracks the Orderly Of the
court martial. who had been sent to warn him
that he would be called by the defense at
o'clock.
That afternoon the courtroom was crowded
when SeTg't Dawson retook his seat and glanced
for the first time at
THp pprsorru