News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1893-08-17

AlUlOSB III INC race OF UtG JOTGUlOSL lSiOuL
his TeUolUer bldzes Its challenge.
Daring Indian scouts were ever on
their flanks and front and rear, making
no overt move against them, but keep
ing the hostile camp fully informed Of
everything that was being done and
watching restlessly for opportunity TO
cut off every straying charger, to cut
down every struggling man. Knowing
all this full well, Berrien had given
strict orders-neither officer nor trooper
was permitted to leave the column by
day nor the bivouac by night; and now
its mission accomplished, the column
ON H@rsm~z@sa~Ea march, and up to
'ai I Ii1IT1y mad occurred So
long as the isolated battalion was NOV
ing toward the hostile camp, nearing
every hour the overwhelming array of
the enemy and separating itself farther
and farther from friendly supports, no
bar had been put to its progress. But
now the Indian scouts could see that il
was turning back, probably in the hope
of regaining the cantonment unmo-
Tested.
1t was a sunshiny December after
noon; the air was as clear as bell, the
clouds that obscured the eastern sky at
dawn had long since drifted out of sight,
and in all its broad expanse the pale
blue vault of the heavens wore not SO
much as feather of vapor. Who that
rode in the laughing, chatting, jaunty
column that sparkling day could realize
the change u few hours might effect on
the silent, breezeless solitudes around
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 duh gray surface of the
rolling prairie, wave after wave, lay
baslzing, and the leafless 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 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 fankers could be
seen, some crossing the stream farther
down the valley, while other comrades
appeared over the barren ridge behind.
that no snealling 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 a
score of years for nothing. He takes no
chances whege the security of his com
mand is concerned, and has small opin-
ION Of the leadF VIII. subjects them to
needless risk.
and uow one after another the four
troops ride into close column on the
northward bank; the men dismount, un-
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-empted" 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 nutriment is |
that crisp, dry bunch grasp-rich and |
plentiful. The mules of the pack train |
bray with impatience 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 Berrieu, followed by a 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 ridgo to the southwest is higher
than those which limit the view at other
points. and thither Berrien is now riding
at easy iopo. Rolfe and Hazlett, watch
ing him for n moment, exchange an ap-
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 a smart redskin that will ever