San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-11-17
see Them at me ONCE. -

"Pu get my cap and follow you at
once, sir" answered Brewster, and has
tened into the dressing room. There he
met Hazlett and Thorpe Just coming
out, throwing their cavalry capes over
their shoulders, silent and preoccupied
like their chief. Selling his cap, Brew
ster paused one longing instant for a
! glance into the hoproom. Again the
floor was thrOnged. To the merriest of
music-"Toujours Galant"-the young
er dancers were fairly romping in the
half galop, half polka step the joyous
tune inspires, and in their midst, not
romping, but dancing with a slower, al
most languid grace, Winifred Berrien
appeared to his troubled gaze, her slen-
der waist half encircled by Randolph's
arm, her dark eyes downcast. her color
and animation gone.
Come, Brewster" called Hazlett
from the doorway, "Farquhar wants us
at once and does not want anybody else
to know"
What's up?"
You'll know in a moment. The
colonel doesn't want it mentioned here"
AT the foot of the stairs, under the
glare of the same big lamp, Farquhar,
with Berrien and Rolfe, stood waiting.
CHANGING impatiently up, as though to
make sure of his men, Farquhar took
Berrien by the arm and silently led the
way, Rolfe and Hazlett, Thorpe and
Brewster falling in behind. 1t was but
few steps to the office.
Pull down the shades, orderly, and
one lamp will be enough. That'll do.
Close the door and remain outside" said
Farquhar, as he threw off his cape, then
silently waited until the sleepy trumpeter
had carried out his orders and vanished.
By this time, too, Warren and Drake,
the adjutant and the quartermaster, had
come bustling in, and, noting the silence
Of those already on the ground, simply
removed their caps and waited the colo
nel's pleasure. For an instant Farquhar
stood tapping the lid of the desk with
the butt of his pencil and studying the
long dispatch which he held in his hand.
Then he looked up.
Gentlemen, we are ordered to the
field; one battalion to go at once, the
other to follow in ten hours-just as soon
as cars can be provided. Berrien, you
will lead off"
For moment not word from any
body; then the major spoke:
"How much time have we, sir?"
81 cannot tell. You load up the mo-
ment the railway company can get a
train here. They have plenty of engines
and cars at the junction and ought to
be able to furnish what we need by day
break. Meantime you will have to rouse
your men, pack up everything that is
not to be taken, cook three days rations
and be ready to get the horses aboard
Go at it as quietly as possible. want
nobody at the hop to know of the orders.
Let the dance go on. Your men NUT
take all their blankets and the heaviest
clothing they have. Noone knows what
may be in store for US either in furs or
fighting"
Again dead silence, broken only by
the rapid clicking of the telegraph i'll
strument in the adjoining room and tn
soft, melodious strains borne on the
wings of the whispering night wind.
Another waltz, and one which she had
promised him he should have the latter
half of, thought Brewster. Even now he
listened yearningly to recognize tie
strain. Aye, he might have known it!
her favorite of all, Loves Dreamland."
But the colonel was speaking again:
"Of course you will do well to weed out
any sick or ineffectives you' may have.
1t is going to be bitter campaign, and
after our summer and fall under south
ern suns will be all the tougher. Holden
will go with your command, Berrien,
and have sent for him. Here are your
four troop commanders; so you may as
well give your instructions at once and
let them get to work"
"You have heard the colonels orders,
gentlemen: do not know of anything !
have to add. Start out your first ser
geants and the cooks at once, and let
The men pack without unnecessary
noise. will give all further details as
soon as Colonel Farquhar and l have
had few moments conference"
Again the telegraph operator with a
dispatch.
II thought so, said Farquhar. "Mur-
ray, the division superintendent, was
with us in the Shenandoah and at Five
Forks. He wires that the train will be
here at five o'clock at the latest-two
engines, twenty freight or cattle cars,
two baggage cars, four passenger day
If anything is wanted you'll find me
here"
Back again into the chill night air,
under the shining, starry vault, Berrien
and his four troop leaders paused for