Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-06-02


mission to take charge ofpost Num-
Der Three at night until he solves
the mystery, and l have granted his
request
The fac,s Of the officers showed
plainly the anxiety they felt.
Young Rogers was the son of a
brother captain in their regiment,
who, at that time, was stationed in
an Eastern city on recruiting SER
vice.
The young man had enlisted six
months previously with the object of
obtaining an officers commission,
which may be won by worthy and
capable man.
The young fellow had gained the
respect and esteem of every one by
his manly qualities and strict obedi-
ence to orders.
Many of the officers had known
him from his childhood. He had
been the playmate with their chill
dren and great favorite with all.
Later on, many tried to persuade
him TO withdraw his request.
Take the post if it falls to your
lot, but don'tvolunteer,' they plead
ed.
1t was no use. The young man
had theory, and, if he proved it
and discovered the assassin, he kew
that he would get his coveted COM
mission.
He was excused from all duties
during the day, and after nightfall
assumed charge of the dreaded post
Number Three.
Three nights passed without any
event.
The moon, though on the wane,
was still bright enough to allow
Rogers to see any moving object on
the plain.
One would have expected to have
seen him alert, actively watching for
the slightest sign of danger, but he
had different idea.
Seated on the ground, his back
against the corral, his rife on his
knees. he was apparently asleep.
Apparently only, for his sharp
eyes keenly watched every point of
the plain.
He knew that he had a shrewd,
tricky, but at the same time bold
enemy, in that willy Apache. He felt
sure that the Indian, especially in
the second case, had not crept up on
his victim unobserved.
He must have employed some dis
guisc which had completely deceiv-
ed tue sentinel. What was this dis.
guise?
That Apache would be more apt
to betray himself if he thought me
asleep than he would if he saw that
1 was watching him." was his sound
argument.
Through the long hours of the
night he sat motionless. 1t vas two
o'clock in the morning, when he
caught sight of a moving object on
the plain, some distance away.
Noiselessly he cooked his rife and
waited.
He was dead shot, and woe be
to that object when he fired.
Nearer and nearer it came, while
he sat as if asleep.
Why, it is Corporal !" he sud-
denly exclaimed TO himself.
Corporal was a fine, large New.
foundland dog, the pet of the garri-
son, who had mysteriously disap-
peared from the post two weeks be-
fore, ard whom every one supposed
to hava baan stolen
Rogers first impulse was to call
the dog, when he remembered his
resolution-"Shoot any moving OBJ
ject that comes within range"
He therefore retained his impulse
and no one could have guessed that
the apparently sleeping sentinel was
closely watching every movement as
the dog approached.
1t was lucky idea of Rogers to
feign sleep, for as the dog came near
er he thought he noticed something
peculiar in its appearance, and its
actions did not seem quite natural.
Possibly Corporal may be ex
hausted from hunger, or it may b.
the deceptive light of the moon,'
thought Rogers.
The dog was now within clos
range, and he could hesitate no long
er.
1t is matter OF life or death,
he reflected, "and If | make a mis-
take every one-even Corporal him
self-will forgive me-.
Slowly and imperceptibly h
brought his rife to his shoulder,
short but true aim, crack and
yell-such as only an Apache, VIII
has received his death-wound ca
give startled the whole garrison.
As if BY magic, everyone collecte
on the spot, each as he approache
| evidently expecting to see a repetl