The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-02-02

Mark resolved to wait and watch.
The minutes seemed hours, the hours
days. The soldier still sat on the log
though now and then he would get up,
and leaving his nusket leaning on it
saunter back and forth on his beat. He
well knew there was no enemy to fear:
his duty was little more than form.
He began to hum few strains of 1.-The
Suwanee River"
"Poor devil" said Mark to himself.
'the, too, is thinking of home. What a
cursed thing war is! If ever get out of
this I'll do no more such duty. Give me
an enemy face to face, bullets before me
and no gibbet behind me-"
But he had said this many time be-
fore.
my good man." talking to the SOL
der, but without making any sound.
''if you will go far enough from that
musket you'll never get back to your
Suwanee river"
"Nonsense, Mark, the sentinel seemed
to say to him; "a shot would arouse the
whole picket post. Besides, if that's
your game, why don't you riddle me
with Jakey's shotgun?"
Then the stiffness was broken by the
sound of oars out on the river. How Mark
longed for the boat to come and take
him from his terrible position! But who
ever was working those oars pulled on.
unmindful of the man who 80 keenly
envied the oarsman's freedom. The
sounds became fainter and fainter till
Mark could hear them no 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 q 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 to
pace his beat. The usual form was pro
ceeded with, and the relief marched to
the sentinel up the river. Mark observed
the man that had been left on post.
Il 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 seemed to fear that if he did not
keep moving he would get drowsy. A
half hour passed with scarcely rest,
then another half hour. It was tramp,
tramp in one direction, turn and tramp.
tramp back again.
The clouds which continued to pass
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 the
soldier was to keep proper watch the
clouds might die away. Then there was
the morning to come. Mark began to
lose that GOODNESS which thus far had
characterized him. It was the waiting
that was wearing him out.
In perhaps an hour after the sentinel
came on picket he yawned. This was
the first sign of hope for Mark. After
awhile he sat down on the log and
yawned several times at intervals. He
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
in 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 it
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-
mained 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 man
and tried to make sure that he was
asleep. It was impossible to tell with
any certainty.
''I1l risk ii" 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 Of
his left arm. In the right hand he took
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 eyes
riveted on the sentinel. A few steps
convinced him that the man really slept.
Mark turned his back on him and walked
q dozen steps noiselessly. picking . place
to plant his foot at each step.
Halt!
Was it the soldiers voice? Should he
turn and shoot hims
No. only an explosion Of burning
brand in the campfire at the picket
guard on the railroad track.
n