The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-01-29

by the sentry's challenge
"What the devil are you owing
around this time of night for?' was the
not unnatural question. II thought 1t
was the officer of the day, and nearly 4
broke my neck in hurrying out here"
But Perry's brief recital OF the fact ,
that he had seen some men stealing out
of the quarters of M troopin their stock
ing feet or moccasins put an end to Ora
hams complaints Hastily summoning
the sergeant of the guard, he started out .
to make the rounds of his sentries, while
Perry carried his packet home, locked it
in his desk, and then returned to the
veranda to await developments.
Sergt. Gwynne, meantime, having
lighted his young officer to the stable
door, stood there few moments, locke
ing over the silent garrison and listening
to the retreating footsteps. The sentry
came pacing along the front of the sta
bles, and brought his carbine down from :
the shoulder as he dimly sighted the tail
figure; but, recognizing the stable ser
geant as he came nearer. the ready chaI-
lenge died on his lips
nO1Lo oOLhOOOOJ
around down here, sergeant. 1t was
you, then. was it?' ~
81 have been moving around-inside !
but made no noise Have you heard |
footsteps or voices?'
''Both, thoughts but it's as black as
your hat on this beat tonight. | can't
see my hand afore my face"
Keep your ears open, then; there are
men out from one of the quarters, at
least, and no telling what they are upto.
Who's in charge at the quartermasters
stables?'
''Sergt Reilly. of the infantry; some of
the fellows were over having little
game with him before tattoo, and I :,
heard him tell 'em to come again when
they had more money to lose He and
his helper there were laughing at the,
way they cleaned out the cavalry when
ley were locking up at taps The boys
fetched over a bottle of whisky with .
'em"
"Who were they?" {
''Oh, there was Flanagan and Murphy,
of M troop. and Corporal Donovan and .
ona or two others. They hadn't been
drinkin
But Riley had-do you mean?'
He was a little full; not much"
well, look alive now Wicks It's
my advice to you that you watch that !
end of your post with all your eyes"
And with this Sergt Gwynne turned
back into the stable, picked up his lam
tern and returned to the little room in
which he slept A current of cool night
air, blowing in through the open case
ment, attracted his attention Odd! He
knew he had pulled aside the shade to
scan the features of the lieutenant when
he tapped at the pane. but he could not
recall having opened the sash 1t swung
on hinge, and was fastened by loose
~ fitting bolt Perhaps the rising wind
had blown it in He set his lamp down :
as before, closed the sash and then closed
and locked the lid of his chest That,
too, was open Wicks, the sentry well
up to the north end of his post and close :
to the entrance of the quartermaster's
corral was bawling: Half past 10;
o'clock. and a-alls well. when the light
went out in Gwynnes little room, and
all the line of stables was wrapped ia
darkness
Perry fretted around the veranda untiH
o'clock, then sought his room He was
still too excited to Sleep and it seemed
an intnrmina bio Time hoforo ho docod oec