The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-18
CHAPTER XII.

sbadows sweeping and chasing over tho wide
prairie. Northward the Wow Is limited by a
low RANGE OF bluffs. destitute OF tree or foliage.
hut covered thickly with the summer growth
of bunch. grass. Southwark. thrce miles away
At least though 1t seems much less a similar
range. rierced here and there with doep ra-
vines frames tho picture on that side. Mid
way between the two ridges. and fringed with
dumps OF cottonwood and willow. Il languii
stream flows silently eastward aud Is lost.
with tho valley in the dim distance. Out to
the west in long gradual curve tho southwark
range vccrs around and spans the horizon.
Midway across this monotone of landscape,
cutting tho stream ut right angles. hard
prairie road comes twisting and turning out
ofcnc of the southern ravines and. after n long
Gradual dip to tho ford among tho cotton
woods. cmerges from their leafy shade and
goes winding away until lost among the
"breaks to the north. 1t is ono OF the routes
70 the Black Hills OF Dakota, the wagon road
from tho Union Pacific at Sidney by way OF
old Fort Robinson. Nebraska, whore a big
garrison OF some fourteen companies Of
cavalry and infantry keen watch aud ward
over the Sioux Nation. which ono year previ-
GUS was in the midst OF the maddest, m ost
successful war it ever waged against tho
white man. That was tho Centennial year.
cavalry. II; for before tn, close OF tho sum-
mer even the troops 50 far to the southeast are
destined to be summoned to tho chase and
capture OF wary old Chief Joseph. the great
est Indian General ever reared upon the
Pacific slope. And even now. on this July
day. here are cavalrymen at their accustome cd
task. and though 1t is Ave years since wa saw
them under the heat and glare OF tho Arizona
sun. there are familiar faces among these
that greet u.s.
All along under tho cottonwoods below the
crossing the bivoIao extends. Long before
sunrise these hardy fellows were in saddle
and, In long column. have como marching
down from the north-four strong troops-a
typical battalion OF regular cavalry as they
looked and rode in those stirring days that
brought about the sutjugation Of the Sioux.
Out on the prairie the four herds OF the four
different troops are quietly grazing. each herd
watched by it's trio OF alert. though often ap-
parently doing. guards. One troop Is made
up entirely OF black horses another Of sorrels
two are Of bays. Another herd Is grazing
close to tho stream-the mules OF the wagon
train and the white tops OF these cumbrous
vehicles are dotting the LETT bank OF the wind
ing water for two or three hundred yards.
Cook fires arc smouldering in little pits dug
in the yielding soil. but the cooking is over for
the present: tho men have had their substan-
tia! dinner and are now smoking or sleeping
or chatting in groups in the shade-all but a
squad OF dozen. commanded by q grizzled
veteran on whose worn blouse the rhevrons Of
a first sergeant aro stitched Booted and
spurrei. with carbines slung and saddles
packed these sun-tanned fellows are stand
ing or sitting at ease holding the reins OF their
chargers aud waiting apparently for the pas
II n RI cfo 1T tln l,,ii
Concord" drawn by four sleek, strong look
ing mules. standing in the shade near the eau
vas homestead of the commanding officer.
Presently two soldiers foliowin. u young
man in civilian dross come forward. Juggling O
little Groen painted iron safe. and this. with
swing and a thud. they deposit in tho wagon.
You've seen that before. sergeant" laughs
the civilian.
"Ihave begad. an when It had heap more
green inside an less outside than now. Faith.
1nevor expected to see It again. nor the pay
master either. We were both bored through
and through. Twas our good habits that
saved US. Sure your predecessor was a game
fighter. Mr.. Barnes. II he was q tenderfoot."
Yes. the Major often tells mo he wishes he
had him back and mo In the place no has in
stead OF the ono he had" answers the clerk.
whimsically. Does he know you're to COM
mand the escort in! You got him into such
scrape then that he's never tired telling OF it..
am doing him now. sure it's beneath the dig
NIFTY OF u first sergeantto command squat
like this except on extraordinary occasions
and it's to take the taste o! the Ia st time out Of
his mouth volunteered to escort tho Major
now now Twas strong taste to last five yen-s.
though my reminder will 20 with me many
Year longer. Here they come now."
AS the sergeant SPEAKS little group OF ohi-
tent Foremost among them. in loose flap:
ping raiment and broad -bri mined nat and
gTeen g2gg 81. the rotund and portly shape OF
MAJOR Hummer. the paynasteT.
~. "y0u can hard!y get into scrape ',wiXt hero
50 far: now wei 20 ON about our scouting.
Your Old friend Feeny ASKED permission to SOC
you safely to tho railway"
Tn honorel, indeed We'll. ssrG;aaI,' no
sdds: sHseh1g sigh Of the gFzsel red face
istyou run tho machine this time aad not In:
tterlete. no matter what stories come to US OF
'Sslfy re In d;s' sis tho Al h Gg1oy
Ia ne wasn't that civil to mo in Arizona"
h laughs TIE paymaster as he tu.ns to shake
hahls with the officers about him.
tail Captain; "Feeny considers you war
veteran veteran row. after your experience at Mo
as sucking LicutcnRnts before he would show
G Gs Anything but a ssmblance q respect
qo9d:jy Ill Go of iHSk D lT gHn Good
BY, Wing. ilcrc!-,I must shake hands with
80 {" .a.hin' ana snake no does: then Is
sNw,g boosted into his wagon where AS
the whip cracks anil the mules plunge Mt their
collars and TIT him backward. the Majors
loly roo lace beams on all around and he
waves ms broad brimmsd hat In exuberant
c9rilality as they rattle away
The group of officers y,rnscptly dt,,orso.
INC tIl L9hht"nant5 strollir: OF together ana
thioWihs themselves uud ~ the snrcn div,
IIrahcnes 81 a big cottonwood ON" ~ I'm,
ohtkor ana somewhat heavier bpiit now I'M |
Mus.ulal. hctNe, powerful. l. DrumInonI, Ne |
S,her younger man by n brace of yntr. ~
blue-eyed; blond bearded. weprtni, an n |
scouting blouse II" straps NJ "A ScrTnd ~
tenant is our oil friend Wlnc nni MN i Nv
not hesitate In nrese4c" OF, his senior Grcer
sueh is tbs bond Of friendship betwo"n mr.
TO draw from his breast pocket Letter ,ust rn
ceived that day when tho courier mot mon, ~
the crossing OF tho Dry Fork. aud to los. MN" "a"
self In its contents. 1 "''"'
All well with the madam and tho kil >,
asked Drummond. after The manner o thu
frontier, when at last Wing io!ds and replaces
his letter. 2 happy light In his brave blue eyss'
All well; Paqutti says that Harvey has
caNured tho entire household and that
ntandpa Harvey IL his abiect slave. There
ISN'T anything IN Chicago too good for that
two,year-old;, They've mad thcm phntod TO.
gether the Kid on his grandfathar's shoulder"
Aren't you afrai his uncle will ne Jeaious
lor hIS own hoy's sake I" laughs Drum mont
don't believe Ned would bcgrudga Fanny