Arizona republican., 1892-03-13
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| untll . m tho evening, WHeH, Wnlle parading the relief sentry prior to post l ing him, noticed that instead of hold ing himself as soldier should on parade he appeared inclined to make light of the matter and was grinning all over his face. l reminded him that he was on teen, and also that there was a prisoners room in the vicinity. This little hint had the desired effect, inducing him to keep a straight face.
 This incident, unimportant as 1t may appear, made me uneasy. l had pre- sentiment that something was wrong, i but what l could not tell. fancied that the man, knowing it to be my first guard, was inclined to take advantage of me. l determined, if such was the case, would exercise my authority.
 At about o'clock Mcdonald came to me for permission to fetch bucket of water from the pump to drink. gave him leave, requesting him to be quick about it, as the first 'post" would sound in few minutes and would have to turn out the guard. He promised he would be back in "jiff."
 He did not come back in tiff" At 9:3O the post" sounded with no sign of Mcdonald returning. Where had he gone? Ordinarily it required but five minutes to go to the pump and back and he had been away half an hour. There was nothing to do but turn out what re- mained of the guard, and to VOW ven geance on the absentee on his return.
 Ten o'clock and no Mcdonald. was obliged to relieve the sentry with the re- maining man out of his turn. On en- tering the guardroom the man relieved threw himself on the guard bed and was soon snoring like grampus. l took up book and tried to read. l soon found this impossible. McDonald's ab- sence puzzled and worried me. felt in clined to report the affair and have a search made for him. The man had so frequently been in trouble that I hesi- tated being the cause of his getting any further punishment. So 1 resolved to | give him little more time to put in an appearance.
 got up to walk about and tried to question the sleeper. Finally noticed that the sentry had not been pacing his beat for some time; he, I thought, was taking too long a rest in the sentry box. l went out to see what was the matter with him. Oh. horror! There was my sentry stretched out on the ground on his back fast asleep, his rifle three feet from him. kicked him to wake him, but to no purposes; he lay like log. guard was drunk.
 l did not know what to do. The only thing could think of was to give the alarm and have the guard relieved. But here difficulty arose. l would myself be made prisoner and receive heavier punishment than the men for allowing | liquor in the guardroom. l was re- sponsible for everything. If I did not report the state of affairs it would be sure to be found out, as the colonel had not yet come into barracks, and the or derly officer must visit the guard that night. quickly resolved to get this man out of the way, post the remaining one and trust to luck.
 l dragged him into the guardroom, pitched him into corner and tried to wake his comrade. He was in the same condition. could get no sense out of him, but could tell by the strong smell of spirits that came from him that he was as bad, if not worse, than the other. My last chance seemed to have slipped away from me.
 Here was pretty kettle of fish. Nc Donald away, l knew not where, leaving me with two helpless, drunken wretches, and no one on the post. Somebody must go on sentry to let the colonel in and challenge the orderly officer. But who?
 In sheer desperation I caught hold of 8 rife, and turning back the cuff of my great coat to hide the stripes, went on the post myself. After an hours pacing to and fro, heard footsteps outside the gate. challenged:
 | "Halt! who comes thereT
 "Friend," was the answer.
 It was the colonel. opened the gate, and getting into the shadow of it to pre- vent him recognizing me, held it open to let him pass in,
 "Everything all right, sentry" said he.
 "All right, sir" replied, disguising my voice as well as could.
 Good night, sentry. and happy New Year to you
 1.-The same to you, sir," answered, devoutly wishing might have happy one, but had my doubts.
 One danger passed He had not mo- ticed anything. But had greater one staring inc in the face-the orderly off Ger. He was certain to come, and it was his duty to visit the sentry and inspect the guard. There was no telling at what time he might come around. My only chance lay in his coming late, so as to give Mcdonald chance to come back before his visit, or the others time to sleep off the effects of their spree.
 Ipaced quickly to and fro, feeling like criminal awaiting his time to be led rortn to the gallows. 1 reU mu not ue- serve this. had always tried to do my duty, and had become quite popular. But now everything had turned against me. would be sure to lose my stripes, and the chaRces were would have to serve term of imprisonment with the wretches who had brought this trouble or me. If that happened l might say goodby to the chance of commission.
 was thinking this and good deal more when I was startled by hearing Clank! Clank! Clank! The sound of a | sword ioltlng in its scabbard. It was