Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-10-31

them? At noon the sun was SO warm
that many trooper had stripped off
his heavy overcoat and turned up the
| flaps of the rough fur cap Except in
deep ravines hardly any snow was to
be seen. The dull gray surface of the
| rolling prairie, wave after wave, lay
basking, and the leafess branches of the
cottonwoods overhanging the frozen
pools were glistening, sparkling in the
lifegiving rays. The advance guard
| after breaking the ice and treating their
| horses to a mouthful of water at the
stream, had moved on at brisk trot, and
| now the stalwart riders were spreading
out in extended order as they breasted
| the slope. Out to the west, full five hun
| dred yards, the wary hankers could be
seen, some crossing the stream farther
down the valley, while other comrades
appeared over the barren ridge behind
that no sneaking foe might crawl up un-
observed and send a long range bullet
from its shelter down into the swarm of
troopers at the ford. So, too, the flank
ers to the east and the sturdy little knot
of rear guardsmen just popping up over
the divide so recently crossed, all told of
ceaseless vigilance on every side. Ber-
rien has not ridden the Sioux trail
score of years for nothing He takes no
chances where the security of his com
mand is concerned, and has small opin-
ion of the leader who subjects them to
needless risk.
And now one after another the four
troops ride into close column on the
northward bank; the men dismount, I'M
saddle, and presently, with. side lines in
hand, each trooper leading his faithful
steed, the four herds are guided to the
separate grazing grounds already chosen
and ''pre-e mpted" by wide awake subal-
terms or sergeants. There the side lines
are carefully adjusted, the brides slipped
off, three or four men remain in sad
die as herdguard and the horses are
left to Craze. Rich with nutrinent is
that crisp, dry bunch grasp-rich and
plentiful. The mules of the pack train
bray with Impotence to shed their loads
and join their envied four footed COM
rades, but presently they, too, follow
ing the bell, are streaming out upon
the guarded prairie, rolling in luxury
upon the frosty earth and kicking their
legs in air in genuine delight. From a
dozen little fires among the bare limbed
cottonwoOds the thin smoke is curling
aloft, and the rattle of tin cup and plate
and the jovial voices of the men seem
to clamor for their soldier rations. In
long rows the saddles and equipments
were aligned upon the turf, each mans
carbine and belt at his saddle. Huge
rolls of robes and blankets are unstrap-
ped and spread to air, and all this time,
while the troop officers are looking to
the comfort and security of their horses,
Major Berrien, followed by single or
derby, is riding about from point to
point to satisfy himself that the guards
are stationed where best they can Sc
cure the bivouac against surprise.
The ridge to the southwest is higher
than those which limit the view at other
points, and thither Berrien is now riding
at easy LOPEZ Rolfe and Hazlett, watch
ing him for a moment, exchange an APP
preciative nod as they hear from the
group of soldiers at the nearest camp
fire some brawny son of the old sod re-
mark, ''Just luck at the ould man now;
sure it's smart redskin that will ever
get through the pickets he posts" Not
since the days of old ''Major Slowtrot.''
old Pap Thomas, has there been
battalion commander better loved by
the rank and file. They know nothing
will ever induce him to forget one pre-
caution for their safety, and reward his
care with a loyalty of devotion good to
see. Watching him still further, Haz-
lett notes that distant vedette has sig
nailed, and that Berrien, slowly now, is
riding up the slope to join him. A SER
geant has some question to ask at the
moment, and when Hazlett again looks
out to the southwest, major, orderly and
vedette have disappeared from view
around a little shoulder of bluff. Other
vedettes can be seen at their posts on all
sides, and few dismounted sentries
lying prone where, unseen themselves,
they can scan the country to their front.
But Hazlett's curiosity is excited by the
fact that two men, mere specks in the
distance. are budding together at the
crest half mile away to the southwest
and evidently watching something out
at their front and motioning to the SER
geant back with the supports. Presently
this trooper, too, trots out to join them.
Berrien and his party are still out of
sight from camp.
Captain, may 1 borrow your field
glasses?' asked Mr.. Brewster, swinging
up to the fire where Hazlett stands. It
have lent mine to the sergeant of the
guard"
'sDid you see where the major went?''
asks Hazlett by way of reply, as he
hands the desired instrument
81 last saw him at the point Wonder.
He rode around it with Sergeant Ellis
and couple of men. and that yedette