The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-06-05

muscles. and the papers never say anything
about them 1t was iram this force that the
Government picked its men.
One night at a station where the mounted
night patrol fire as they challenge, and the
wheat rolls in great blue-green waves under
our cold northern moon, the othcArs were
PLAYING billiards in the mud-walled cluO-
house when orders came to them that they
we're to 90 on parade at once Tor q h'ght
drill. They grumbled and went to turn out
their men-100 English troops, let us say,
200 GOOrkhas and about 100 OF the nheSV
native cavalry in the world.
When they were on the paIaue RIouuu
il was explained TO them in whispers that
they must set of at once across the nils TO
Bersund. The English troops were 10 post
themselves round the nils at the size OF
the valley; the GoOrkhas would command
the gorge and the Geathtrap, ana tue
cavalry would fetch a long march round
and get to tue back of the circle OF hills.
whence. if there we're any difficulty, they
could charge down on the Mullah'S men. But
the orders were very strict that there should
lie no fighting and no noise. Ihey were
TO return In the morning with every round
If ammunition intact, and tile Muilah and
the Is outlaws bound in their midst. If
they were successful, no one would know
or care anything about their work, but
failure meant probably a small border war,
in which the Gulla kutta Mullah would
be posed in the English news papers 5 a
popular leader against a big, bullying
power, instead of a common border muir
deTeT.
Then there was silence, broken only by
the clicking of the compass needles and
swapping Of Warehouses. as the heads Of
columns compared bearings and made
amendments for the rendezvous. Five
minutes later the paFade-grouHd WAS empty
the green coats Of the GOoTkhaS and the
overcoatS OF the English troops had faded
into the darkness and tho cavalry we're
canteriug away in the face oi Dlnding
driHle.
What the Gaorkhas and the English did
will be seen later on. The heavy work lay
with the horse, for il had TO 90 Tar and pick
its way clear Of habitatI0ns. Many OF Inc
troopers were natives of that part OF the
world. ready and anxious tn night against
their kin, and some Of tue officers had made
private and unofficial excursions into those
hills before They crossed the border, found
a dried river bed, canteIed up that. walked
through a stony gorge, rlSked crossing low
hill under cover OF the darkness, Skirted an
other Hill, leaving their hOOf-marks deep In
some plOughed ground, felt their way along
another wateTcOuTSe, ran over the neck
OF spur, praying that no one Woulu near
their horses gruntlng, and so worked on IN
the rain and the darkness until they had
lett BaTsund ana Its crater Of hills little
behind them and to the left, and it was
time TO swing round. The ascent COM
handing the back of Bersund was steep.
and they halted to draw breath in broad
level valley below the height. mat IS 10
say. the men refined up, bat the horses,
blown rs they were, refused 10 matt mere
was unchristi8n language, the worse tor
being delivered in whisper. and you heard
the saddles squeaking in the darkness as
the horses plunged.
The subalteTn at the rear OF one troop
turned in his saddle and said very softly:
Garter. what the blessed heavens are
YOU doing at The rear? Bring your men up,
man"
There was no answer till trooper re-
piled:
There is nothing behind us"
There is" said the subalteTn. The
sQuadrOn's walking on its own tail"
Then the major in command moved down
20 the rear swearing softly and asking for
the blood If Lieutenant Halley-the sub
altern who had just spoken.
Look alter your TeaTGuaTd." said the
major Some Of your internal thieves
have got lost They're at the head of the
squadron. and you're several kinds Of
idiot"
'ShaH tell off my men, sir?" said the
subalteTn suIklly, for he was feeling wet
tel 'em OFF, said the major whip
'em of, by Cad You're squanueTlng them
all over the place. There's troop behind
you now
so was thinking" said the subaltern,
calmly. Il have al my men here, sir. Bet
ter speak to Carter
Garter SahIb sends salaam and wants to
know why the squadron IS stopping" said
a trooper u Lieutenant HALEY.
"Nhere under heaven is Carter?" said
the major
Forward, with bis troop" was the an
swer.
Are we walking in ring, then, or are
we The center O. a blessed brigade? ?" said
the major.
BY this tine there was silence all along
the column. The horses were still: but
through the drive Of the fine rain, men
could hear the feet OF many horses moving
over stony ground.
Were being stalked," said Lieutenant
HALEY.
They've horses here. Besides they'd
have fired before this said the major" It's
its villagers ponies"
Then our horses would have neighed
and sp0ilt the attack long ago. They must
have been near Us for half an hour" said
the subaliern.
''Qaeer thatiwe can't smell the horses"
said the major, damDing his finger and rub
blng II on MS nose Us he shifted up wind.
We'll its a bal start" said the subal-
tern. shaking the wet from his oYercUat.
"What shall We do, sir?"
Get on" said the major; I'VE shall catch
it tonight"
The column moved forward very gingerly
fer few PAGES. Then there was an oath.
shower OF blue sparks as shOd hOofs