Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-01-27

sounds became fainter and fainter till
Mark could hear them 10 more. He
sighed as if he had lost dear friend.
"Jakey's comfortable anyway" he
said, looking down at the boy. He had
dropped asleep, and Mark for the first
time in his life envied a human being
the protection of weakness. There was
innocent childhood, unconscious OF dan
ger, sleeping sweetly, the boyish face
Lighted by the moon.
At last Mark heard the relief coming
The sentinel took his gun and began tc
pace his beat. The usual form was pro
ceeded with, and the relief marched tc
the sentinel up the river Mark observed
the man that had been left on post.
II hope this fellow will be more in
clined to rest" he unused.
But he was disappointed to see the
man begin to pace his beat energetical
ly. He se~med to fear that if he did moi
keep moving he would get drowsy.
half hour passed with scarcely rest
then another half hour. 1t was tramp
tramp in one direction. turn and tramp
tramp back again.
The clouds which continued to pas!
over the moon became heavier. If the
sentinel would only relax his vigilance
these periods Of comparative darkness.
would be favorable to fight. But if tn,
soldier was to keep a proper watch tn,
clouds might die away. Then there wa.
the morning to come. Mark began t.
lose that GOODNESS which thus far hat
characterized him. 1t was the waiting
that was wearing him out.
In perhaps an hour after the sentine
came on picket he yawned. This wa.
the first sign of hope for Mark. After
awhile he sat down on the log anG
yawned several times ut intervals. HI
got up and paced for awhile, but at last
sat down again. This time he sat Longer
and his chin sank on his breast. He
reused himself and sank away again
He would not go to sleep comfortably
III accordance with Marks muttered
prayer, but took short maps. Mark con.
sidered the feasibility of an attempt to
escape between these maps. Without
Jakey he would do it: with Jakey il
WAS too hazardous.
At last the soldier slid down on to the
ground. stretched out his legs and rest
ed his back against the log.
Marks heart went up into his throat
with sudden Joy.
As near as he could guess there re-
manned a quarter of an hour till the next
relief would come. He looked at the
moon, which was now shining with pro
voking brightness; he looked at the mar
and tried to make sure that he was
asleep. 1t was impossible to tell with
any certainty.
''Ill risk it." he said.
He took Jakey up in his arms very
carefully. hoping not to waken him, fix
ing the boys limp body in the hollow 81
his left arm. In the right hand he tool
the squirrel gun, cooked and capped
using the arm at the same time to hold
the child. When all was ready he ROSE
slowly and fixed his eyes on the soldier.
The man did not stir
Mark moved slowly forward, his eve.
riveted on the sentinel A few step.
convinced him that the man really slept
Mark turned his back on him and walked
a dozen steps noiselessly. picking a place
to plant his foot at each step.
Halt!
Was it the soldiers voice? Should he
turn and shoot himl
No, only an explosion of burning
brand in the campfire at the picket
guard on the railroad track.
His heart. which had stood still. began
humping like drumstick.
He turned to look at the sentinel. The
man sat there gazing straight at him; at
least SO he appeared to Mark. The figure
was as plain as day in the moonlight,
though too far for Mark to see the eyes.
He cast quick glance down into Jakey'
face. He. too. was sleeping peacefully
While these two were in slumberlspt
Mark felt himself suspended betwee,
heaven and hell. And how still it was
Even the hum OF insects would hav,
been a relief.
All this occupied but moment. Mari
turned his back again and moved eau
tiously forward
His imagination had never served hin
such tricks. Surely he heard the sol
der move. He was getting up on hi
feet. His musket was levelsd at al
"aim." A sharp sting under the shout
der blade, and q warm stream Aowihl
down his side. Certainly he had beef
shot.
Nonsensel Away with such freaks o
fancy! Suddenly he trod on q rottel
branch. It cracked with sound which
seemed to him like the report of pistol
Again he paused and turned. He saw
the sentinel motionless. He bad slipped
farther down. and his hat had fallel
farther over his forehead
Thank God!
He moved backward, his eyes fixed OF
his sleeping enemy, occasionally turning
to see where he stepped. He was get
ting near to cover. In this way h
passed to within few steps of conceal
ment. How he coveted the overhang
ing bank near to him, yet far enough t.
be useless should the sentinel awake tot
soonl
Cachewl
This sound was real; it was q sneeze
from the picket.
Mark knew that it was q signal oil
awakening. He darted behind the banh
and was out of sight.
He heard the sentinel get up. shake
HIMSELF, give o yawn, q grunt, as il
chilled, and begin to pace his beat.
Mark moved away cautiously, a great
flood Of JOY and thankfulness yelling
up through his whole nature. After
going sufficient distance to be out OF
hearing, he awakened Jakey.
"Jakey! Wake up!"
The boy opened his eyes.
"We're beyond the picket"
"Whar's my gum"
"Oh, blessed childhood" thought
Mark, that in moments Of peril can be
interested Ia such trifling thingsI"
81 have your gun here in my hand
It's safe. Stand on your legs. my boy
We're going on"
Jakey stood on the ground and rub
bed his eyes with his fists. Once awake
he was awake all over.
They moved OH down the river toward
the base of Lookout mountain, soon
leaving the river anargin and striking
inland behind some rising ground. Find
ing a convenient nook in a clump Of
bushes wherein to leave Jakey, Mark
told him to lie down and stay there
while he reconnoitered to find a way to
get down the river and to cross it.
Mark hunted nearly all night. He
could find no practicable route. He did