Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-05-09
AN OLD MARTINEZ.
A Grow that Marshal-d His Sable Troops
In Line.

A Grow that Marshat-d His Sable Troops
In Line.
Night after night l watched the crows
until at last it became certain that the
old crow, with the %stentorian lungs,
was in absolute command and had his
forces we'll under control. After about
a week more of training, they began to
show undoubted signs of excellent dis
cipline. At the command of the leader
a flock Of a dozen or more took wing
and described a much larger circle than
ever before. Until they were about
two hundred feet from the rest, COM
parative silence reigned among the re-
naming hosts; but then, suddenly, came
several loud, sharp tones from the
leader, and about as many more left the
tree. This time the new division sepa-
rated into two equal bodies, and flew
off at right angles for a short distance.
Then, in response to another cav, they
turned in the same direction rs the adj
vance guard, who were now some dis
lance away. After a few moments had
elapsed, the word of command was
again given, and all the crows arose IN
a body and followed the lead of the adj
vance guard, the old chieftain being
we'll to the front, but ] noticed that he
did not fly so fast as the main body,
and they gradually passed him. Now"
] thought, che may be the crow with
the most acute brain, bit he e%eEtai il
lacks the strength of wing to keep to
the front,"-for by this time he was
among the stragglers bringing up the
rear But before long the air again re-
sounded with the hoarse Cav! Caw"
and Immediately the apparently aban-
oned trees sent forth a creditable rear
guard. These last crows rose and
scattered themselves into open skirmish-
ing order.
Then the general at one proved to
me ]. had been very foolish in drawing
hasty conclusions concerning his wing
power, for he at one forged ahead,
blowing his way rapidly. until he
reached the main body and took a lead
ing position. BY this time the advance
guard had completed their circle and
were huttering round in smaller circles
preparatory to alishting upon their old
perches; but the vigilant eye of their
leader detected this attempt. and a cav
of command sent them forth to duty
again. The old fellow was a perfect
old martinez, so far as drill! was con
cerned. Up to this tine he mad taken
things somewhat eazily, as it had been
only company drill but now it was til e
all-important battalion drill, and there
fore there was no Sinking allowed.
The word 10 halt was Don given,
however, anI each detachment, perched
upon its camping trees, awaited orders.
AS if it was perfectly understood that
after drill they were to "roost at ease,"
a terrible cawing commenced. 1t
seemed that each crow meant to let
them all understand that he was the
best drilled bird in the brigade.
The following evening when the regi-
ment received the order to march, there
was no sign of their hating in their
flight; but, after scurrying around the
circle once Or twice, at sign from their
leader some of them left the main body
and flew ahead until they reached the
advance guard and the right and left
wings Of scouts took their places. The
birds then on duty slackened the flight
aud gradually reJoined the main body.
The same thing was repeated by the
rear guard. 1t became evident that the
General not only intended to guard his
army, but also had arranged to relieve
those who were sent out upon this
special duty. In fact, no human Gen
eral could have thought out all proba-
BILE contingencies and prepared Ifor
them better than did this "old black
crow"
Next morning, after waiting for some
time the voice of the General sounded
forth the order to march. The advance
guard at once arose with their usual
"Caw!" and then in silence started due
south, flying on a horizontal plane only
a few feet higher than the trees they
had left. At the word the other guards
few out as right and left wings, but
maintaining the same height in the all
as the pioneers--in fact, all appeared as
if moving along IN invisible railroad
track. As soon as the advance parties
had taken their posts the General gave
the signal starting the main army in
motion.
Before long they became a gray cloud
in the distance, and then melted out Of
sight in the glowing southern sky
"Ihe Crows' Military Drill" by Ag.
mes Fraser So1tdham, IN st. Nicholas.
A Member Who Saw 1t.