Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-12-29

his mnsket resting against his shoulder
the butt on the ground. He was lookini
Iistlessly up at the sky. Presently h
took clay pipe ont Of his pocket, whicl
he filed. and touching a match lighted it
Hes the river picket, said Mark Z
himself.
The sentinel sat smoking while Mari
meditated. His first thought was, VIII,
aid bring this boy: The situation wa
perilous enough without an encum
brance. The guard was facing the space
over which they would have to pass T.
escape: there might be a slight chance
for life to make dash were he alone
but with the boy it was not TO be though
Of, and Mark was unwilling to leave
him. He looked back with view to re
tracing the route over which he haC
come. Hewas Mortified to see sentine
pacing hundred yards above. He hac
been placed there by the relief.
The only hope was TO wait for the mar
nearest him to relax his watchfulness
and attempt to pass him. The sentinel
up the river was not to be feared except
by going back, for from the nature OF
the ground the fugitives would be hid
den from him if they should go forward.
Mark resolved to wait and watch.
The minutes seemed hours, the hours
days. The soldier still sat ON the log.
though now and then he would get up,
and leaving his musl1et leaning on it
saunter back and forth ON his beat. He
well knew there was no enemy to fear;
his duty was little more than form.
He began to hum few strains of ''The
Suwanee River"
Poor devil" said Mark to himself,
''he. too, is thinking of home. What a
cursed thing war isl If ever get out of
this III do no more such duty. Give me
an enemy face TO face, bullets before me
and no gibbet behind me"
But he had said this many time be-
fore
''My good man." talking TO the sol
der, but without making any sound,
IF you will go far enough from that
musket you'll never get back to your
Suwanee river
Nonsense. Mark, +" the sentinel seemed
TO say to him: "a shot would arouse the
whole picket post. Besides, if that's
your game, why don't you riddle me
with Jakey's shotgun"
Then the stiffness was broken by the
sound of oars out on the river. How Mark
longed for the boat to come and take
him from his terrible position! But who
ever was working those oars pulled on
unmindful of the man who so keenly
envied the oarsmans freedom. The
sounds became fainter and fainter till
Mark could hear them no more. He
sighed as if he had lost dear friend.
"Jakey's comfortable anyway" he
said, looking down at the boy. He had
dropped asleep, and Mark for the first
time in his life envied human being
the protection Of weakness. There was
childhood, unconscious Of dan
ger, sleeping sweetly. the boyish face
lighted by the moon.
At last Mark heard the relief coming.
The sentinel took his gun and began to
pace his beat. The usual form was pro-
ceeded with, and the relief marched to
The sentinel up the river. Mark observed
the man that had been left on post.
II hope this fellow will be more in
,lined TO rest, he unused.
But he was disappointed to see the
nan begin to pace his beat energetical- |
y. He seemed TO fear that if he did not |
Seep moving he would get drowsy. A
half hour passed with scarcely a rest,
hen another half hour. 1t was tramp.
ramp in one direction. turn and tramp, /
ramp back again.
The clouds which continued to pass
,ver the moon became heavier. If the
entinel would only relax his vigilance.
hese periods Of comparative darkness
would be favorable TO flight But if the
older was to keep proper watch the
LIQUIDS might die away Then there was
he morning to come. Mark began TO
ose that GOODNESS which thus far had
characterized him. 1t was the waiting
hat was wearing him out.
In perhaps an hour after the sentinel
anne on picket he yawned This was
he first sign of hope for Mark. After
while he sat down on the log and
awned several times at intervals. He
ot up and paced for awhile, but at last
at down again. This time he sat longer
nd his chin sank ON his breast. He
oused himself and sank away again.
lie would not go TO sleep comfortably
q accordance with Marks muttered
rayer, but took short maps. Mark con-
Idered the feasibility of an attempt to
seape between these maps Without
akey he would do it; with Jakey it
'as too hazardous
AT last the soldier slid down on to the
round, stretched out his legs and rest
his back against the log.
Marks heart went up into his throat
18th a sudden joy.
As near as he could guess there re-
lained quarter of an hour Till the next
'lief would come. He looked at the
loon, which was now shining with pro.
Oking brightness; he looked at the man