Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-05-06

LOST ON THE PLAINS.

luz WaBou truin nuu maze about
three miles from its camp of the night
before when Sergeant Jack, of Troop II,
misses his knife and remembers that he
left it on the ground after using it to
cut strap. The captain gives him per-
mission to ride back after il. Why not :?
it is but dash, and we are at peace
with the Indians. lie will overtake US
within the hour.
Sergeant Jack is q brawny man and
veteran. The arrow and bullet wounds
received prove him fighter. Men of
his company will tell you of seeing him
peril his life dozen times over, and
they can count up at least dozen red
skins no has wiped out. A grand look
ing soldier is Sergeant Jack-evsry inch
a man. Your eyes would pick him out
Of regiment for his bearing, and when
y5u had looked into his bronze face you
would pat him down as game to the
death.
Sergeant Jack rides back at an easy
lope. In half an hour he is at the
camp. There are dozen gaunt wolves
prowling about and maunching at the
bones, and they grudgingly gave way
for him as he rides up. Yes, the knife
is there, and he quickly secures it A
newspaper has been thrown out of one
of the wagons He picks it up and sits
Down to scan its columns. Some one
has thrown away letter, he picks that up
and becomes interested. Some careless
trooper has left lariat here in the grass.
He secures it. Walks about for a few
minutes and then mounts to join bis
column. 1t is travelling north west. II
will now be about eight miles ahead of
him. 1t must be bearing to tho left
after crossing Comanche creek. He
will, therefore, take short cut and save
time and trouble.
Now follow him and you will witness
a curious thing. He rides away hum
ming the air OF merry tune, and he
has not one anxious thought. lie passes
ridge after ridge and covers mile after
mile, and so sure Is he of his way that
he scarce looks up. All of sudden the
horse Stacks down. He has been taking
the ridges too fast and is out Of breath.
A minute later he is pulled up sharp,
and Sergeant Jack looks about him with
anxious eyes What is it ? Nothing
lilo has only to keep on and he will in
tercept the column. lIc has only to
ride back over his trail to strike the
plain road left by the wagons. It is
only nine o'clock in the morning and
the sky is without cloud.
Curious, isn't it 7 The soldier stands
up in his stirrups to look ahead there
is more than anxiety 10 bis eye as be
turns and looks back. lie glances to
the right--to tho left-up TO the sun.
All of u sudden, rs be rode gayly on,
the terrible lonssomeness of the great
plains struck him like a chill. What If
he should lose bis way What if ho has
lost il That is enough. He has let
doubt in, and five minutes later that
curious palsy Of the plains begins to
creep over him. II has claimed its hun
dreds and all have beon brave men.
He will ride on. He smiles at his
fsars--he seeks 10 shake of that feeling
of terror which made bis cheeks grow
pale. There is no cause for haste, but
he shuts his teeth together and gives
bis horse the spur and pushes on az il
riding a race.
See He bears TO tho left. Let
man become ratified in the forest or on
the plains and he invariably bears 10
the left, and thus completes bis disaster.
When the horse falls from exhaustion
Sergeant Jack is twenty five miles from
the commahd. II does not occur TO him
that be will DO searched for and that bis
trail can be followed. He now feels
sure that be Is lost. but he cannot rca-
son. A veteran Of three Indian cam.
paigns-a soldier known 10 be without
fear--a man 10 the prime Of life And
yet bis face is as white as dead mans,
and he trembles like a woman--aye !
wssps like a child.
One, two, three days 90 by, Sergeant
Jack is favorits with all. Every man
is anIions that he be found. We 70
into camp and send out squads to four
points Of the compass. One then strikes
the trail and finds his dead horse. An
other, returning in the gloom Of even
ing, starts up 4 strange animal, which
runs way, uttcring sounds like human
laughter The morning Of the fourth
| dav Sar0eanL Jack ia diacovered while