Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-03-22

among the nen here since the arrest Of
Sergt LearyY
Gwynne hesitated, coloring painfully.
1T is something hate to speak Of, sir
The talk has not alarmed me in the
least
Il know that, sergeant. All the same
we want to prevent a recurrence of that
| performance. and it was that, mainly.
that brought me over here saw some
men stealing out Of NJ troops quarters
awhile ago. and lost them in the dark
ness. l thought they might be coming
/ over here, and-got here first"
Gwynne's face lighted up 1t touched
him to know his officers were on the
lockout for his safety,
II have heard nothing, sir. The men
would hardly be apt to speak to me on
the subject, since the affair of the other
night. What fear is simply this-that
there is an element here in the regiment
that is determined to get down there to
the ranch and have satisfaction for the
assault that was made on you and your
party. They need horses in order to get
there and back between midnight and
reveille, and are doubtless Matching some
plan. They failed here; now they may
! try the stables of some other troop or the
quartermaster's Shall l warn the sen
try that there are providers out to
night?"
''Not yet. They viii hardly make the
attempt while your light is burning here
/ What I'm concerned about just now is
this: We all know that there is deep
sympathy for Leary in the command
and it is not improbable that among the
Ilishmen there is corresponding feeling
against you. l don't like your being
here alone just now, for they know you
are almost the only witness against
/ him"
Il have thought of that, sir, answered
| Gwynne, gravely, "but want nothing
that looks like protection. The captain
has spoken of the matter to me, and he
agreed, sir. that it would do more harm
! than good. There is one thing would
ask-if may trouble the lieutenant.
"What is it, sergeant?"
"Ihave little packet, containing sone
! papers and a trinket or two, that | would
! ike very much to have kept safely, and
if anything should happen to me, to
have you, sir, and Capt. Stryker open it.
and-the letters there viii explain every
/ thing that is to be done.
Certainly. will take care Of it for
you-if not too valuable"
''Iwould rather know it was with you
! sir, than stow it in the quartermaster's
| SAFE" was Gwynne's answer, as he
/ opened a little wooden chest at the foot
of his bunk, and, after rummaging a
moment, drew forth a parcel tied and
sealed. This he handed to the lieutenant
"Now | will go back and notify the
officer of the guard Of what have
SEEN" said Perry; land want Nolan,
saddled, over at my quarters right after
4 morning stables Will you see to it!'
II will, sir, and thank you for your
/ kindness"
| AL was darkness, all silence and peace
as Perry retraced his steps and went
back to the garrison. carrying the little
/ packet in his hand He went direct to
4 the guard house, and found MIR. Graham
sulzy over being disturbed il his snooze
By the sentry tfe.'fotlh..esngs.
What the devil are you owing
around this time Of night for?' was the
not unnatural question. al thought it
was the officer of the day, and nearly
/ broke my neck III hurrying out here. .
\ But Perry's brief recital Of the fact
/ that he had seen some men stealing out
Of the quarters of II troopin their stock
/ ing feet or naoocasins 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, look
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 carhine down from
the shoulder as he dimly sighted the tall
figure; but, recognizing the stable ser
geant as he came nearer. the ready chal-
lenge died on his lips
II thought heard somebody moving
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, thought; but it's as black as
your hat on this beat tonight. cant
see my hand afore my face"
Keep your ears open, then; there are
men out from one of the quarters, at
east, and no telling what they are upto.
Who's in charge at the quartermasters
stables?"
"Sergt. Reilly, of the infantry; someo Of
he fellows were over having little
game with him before tattoo, and
heard him tell EN- to come again when
ihey had more money to lose. He and
MS helper there were laughing at the
way they cleaned out the cavalry when
hey were locking up at taps The boys
fetched over a bottle Of whisky with
EN-"
"Who were they?"
"Oh, there was Flanagan and Murphy
of NJ troop, and Corporal Donovan and
onA or two others They hadn't been
driDkin'"
But Riley had-do you mean?"
He was little full; not much.
"Wel, 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 Ian
tern and returned to the little room in
which he slept A current of cool night
| air hln1..incr in thro,1rh the nr,arl t,asr.