The Florida agriculturist., 1889-11-13
A Story of American Frontier Life.
BY CAPT. CHARLES KING, u. S. a.,
AUTHOR CoLoNELs DAUGHTER"
DEsERTER"
Copyrighted 1888, by Lppncott Philadelphia
Special Arrangement through the American Press Association.
CHAPTER XVI.-Continued.


Following him came a pair of Chey-
enne scouts, their ponies scampering in
pursuit. but veering off the green as their
riders realized that they were intruding
on the ceremony of the day Relieved
of his pursuers. the fugitive speedily set
tied down into lunging trot. and with
streaming name and tail, with head and
ears erect, with falling bride rein and
Tapping stirrups, he circled rapidly the
open space between the colonel and the
line of battle, then came trotting back
along the front, as though searching in
the stolid rank of bearded faces for the
friends he knew. Officer after officer
he passed in review until he came to
Stryker's troop, posted on the right OF
the cavalry, and there, with a neigh OF
recognition, he fearlessly trotted up to
the captains outstretched hand. Another
minute and two men fell out and mades
temporary gap in the rank; through this
a sergeant file closer extended his white
glove. relieved the captain of his charge
and led the painting steed away.
The men retook their places; the cap
tain again resumed his position in front
of the center Of his company, dropped
the point of his saber to the ground anC
settled back into parade rests" the bano
went on laundering down the line
countermarched and came back to its
post on the right, making the welkin
ring with the triumphant strains OF
Northern Route" the trumpets pealed
the retreat" the ad diutant stalked his
throO uorHo t0 tho front fo006 finrooIu
to the left and shouted his resonant or
ders down the line, three hundred mar
tial forms sprang to attention, and the
FURNISHED arms came to the carry
with simultaneous crash, ranks were
opened with old time precision, the
parade presented" to the colonel with
all due formality, the manual was ex-
ecuted just as punctiliously as though
nothing unusual had happened; first ser
geants reported, orders were published,
parade formally dismissed; the line of
officers marched solidly to the front,
halted, and made it's simultaneous salute
to the colonel, who slowly raised and
lowered his white gloved hand in recog-
milton; and then. and not till then. was
any one allowed to speak of what was
uppermost in every mind-that Sergt.
Gwynnes horse had come in without
him, and that the animals right flank
was streaming with blood.
Ten minutes later Lieut.. Perry, in rid
ing dress, came hurrying down to the
coloners quarters. where two or thret
officers were now gathered at the gate.
The ladies had put aside the albums, and
with anxious faces were scanning the lit
tie group as though striving to gauge
from their gestures and expression the
extent of the calamity or the possible de-
gree of danger. But Mrs Lawrence
looked fairly startled when her hus-
bands voice was heard for the first time
above the general hum of consultation:
"Col. Brainard, Mr.. Perry is coming,
see, and presume there is no time to be
lost. You have asked if none of us who
were stationed here ever visited the
ranch, and the answer was no May |
suggest that DR. Quin could perhaps tell
something of it's inhabitants?'
'Where is the doctorY asked the col
onel. turning suddenly. 'Orderly. go
and give my compliments to the post
surgeon and say wish to see him here
moment All ready, Perry? You have
made quick work of it,