The Russellville Democrat., 1893-08-31
FOES IN AMBUSH.
ey Capt. Charles King, U 2. A.. Author of "rhe Coionci's Daughter" s'Marion's Faith, z "Kitty's Con
 quest" "A soidiers
 se ret" Etc.
toepwigaf, 1899. oy caarles Kingl
CHAPTER XII

1t is a sultry day, early in July, aud the sun IS going westward through fleet of white, wind-drivsn clouds, that .send a host of deep shadows sweeping and chasing over the wide prairie Northward the view is limited by a low range of bluffs, destitute of tree or foliage, but covered thickly with the summer growth of bunch grass. Southward, three miles away at least, though 1t seems much lees, a similar range, pierced here and there with deep ra- vines, frames the picture on that side. Midway between the two ridges, and fringed with elumps of cottonwood and willow, a lauguid stream flows silently eastward and is lost, with the valley, in the dim distance. Out to the west in long, gradual curve the southward range veers around and spans the horizon. Midway across this monotone of landscape, cutting the stream at right angles hard prairie road cones twisting and turning out of one of the southern ravines, and, after long, gradual dip to the ford among the cottonwoods, emerges from their leafy shade and goes winding away until lost among the "breaks" to the north. It is one of the routes to the Black Hills of Dakota, the wagon road from the Union Pacific at Sid ney by way of old Fort Robinson, Nebraska, where big garrison of some fourteen companies of cavalry and infantry keep watch and ward sver the Sioux Nation, which one year previous was in the midst of the maddest, most successful war 1t ever waged against the white man. That was the Centennial year, '76. This is another eventful year fer the cavalry, TT; for before the close of the summer even the troops so far to the southeast ara destined to be summoned to the 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 cavalry men at their accustomed task, and though 1t is five years since we saw ~ them under the heat and glare of the Arizona sun, there are familiar faces ,mong these that greet us.
 All along under the cottonwoods DeIow the crossing the bivouac ex- tends. Long before sunrise these hardy fellows were in saddle, and in long column, have come march ing 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 subjagation of the Sioux. Out on the prairie the four herds of the four different troops are quietly grazing, each herd watched by its trio of alert, though often apparently dozing guards. One troop is made up en- tirely of black horses, another of sorrels- two of bays. Another herd is grazing close to the stream-the miles of the wagon taain, and the white tops of these cumbrous ve hicles are dotling the left bank of the winding water for two or three hundred yards. Cook fires are smouldering in little pits dug in the yielding soil, but the cooking is over for the present; the men who have had their substantial dinner and are now smoking, or sleeping, or chatting in groups in the shade-all but a squad of a dozen, commanded by grizzled veteran on whose worn blouse the chevrons of first sergeant are stitched Booted and spurred, with carbin slung and saddles packed, these sun-tanned fellows are stand ing or sitting at ease, holding the reins of their sleepy chargers, and waiting apparently for the passen gers who ara to stat in the stout built "Concord," drswn by four sleek, strong looking mules, now standing in the shade near the can vas homestead of the commanding officer.
 Presently two soldiers following a young man in civilian dress come forward lugging little green. painted iron safe, and this, with a swing and thud, they deposit it in the wagon.
 "You've seen that before, ser geant," laughs the civilian.
 ''I hav,, begad, an when it had a heap more green inside an less outside shan it has now. Faith, l never expected to see it again, nor the paymas'er, either. We were both bored thry ugh and through. 'Twas our good habits that saved us. Sure your predecessor was a game fighter, Mir. Barnes, if be was tenderfOot
 "Yes, the maj j,r, often tells me he wishes he had fin back and me n the place he has instead of the pne he had, !" answers the clerk whinsically. "Does he know you re 10 command tle esc9ri iuf You gct him into such a scrape then that he's never tired telling of it."
 "Then he may feel grarded at he honor am doing him now. Sure it's beneath the dignity of a first sergeant to command squad ike this except on extraordinary oc. ctsi3p, aud is's to take the taste of