The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-02-14
FOES IN
AMBUSH
By CAPT. CHAs. KING, us. A.
Copyright, 1898, by Charles King.
CONTINUED from last Suuday.)
CHAPTER MI

send a host of deep shadows sweeping
and chasing over the wide prairie.
Northward the view is limited by II
low range of bluffs. destitute of tree or
foliage, but covered thickly with the
summer growth of bunch grass. South
ward, three miles away at least, though
it seems much less, a similar range,
pierced here and there with deep IA
vines, frames the picture OF that side.
Midway between the two ridges and
frlnged with clulnps of cottonwood and
willow, n languid stream flows silently
eastward and is lost with the valley in
the dim distance. Out to the west in
long, gradual curve the southwark range
veers around and spans the horizon.
Midway across this monotone of land
scape, cutting the stream ut right an
giles, hard prairie road comes twist
ing and turning out of one of the south
ern ravines, and after a long, gradual
dip to the ford among the cottonwoods
energies from their leafy shade and
goes winding away until lost among
the breaks to the north. 1t is one of
the routes to the Black Hills of Dakota
the wagon road from the Union Pa
cific at Sidney by way of old Fort Rob
lnson, Neb., where big garrison of
some Ia companies of cavalry and in
fantry keep watch and ward over the
Sioux nation, which, one year previous,
was i'll the midst of the maddest, most
successful war it ever waged against
the white man. That was the centen-
NAL year-1876. This is another event
full year for the cavalry-1S77; for be-
fore the close of the summer even the
troops so far to the southeast are destined
to be summoned to the chase and capture
of wary old Chief Joseph-the greatest
Indian general ever reared upon the
Pacific slopc-and even now, on this
July day, hero are cavalrymen at their
accustomed task, and though it is five
years since we saw them under the
heat and glare Of the Arizona sun there
are familiar faces among these that
greet us.
All along under the cottonwoods be-
low the crossing the bivol@c extends.
Long before sunrise these hardy fellows
were in saddle, and in long column
have come marching down from the
north-four strong troops. typical
battalion of regular cavalry as they
looked and rode III those stirring days
that brought about the subjugation 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 apparent
~ DOING, guards. Ono troop is made
up entirely of black horses, another or
sorrels-twO are of bays. Another
herd is grazing close to the stream
the mules of the wagon train-und the
white tops of these cumbrous vehicles
are dotting the left bank of the winding
water for 200 or 800 yards. Cook fires
are smoldering in little pits dug in
the yielding soil, but the cooking is
over for the present. The men have had
their substantial dinner and are now
smoking or sleeping or chatting in
groups in the shadc-all but Il squad
OF Il dozen, commanded by grizzled
veteran on whose worn blouse the chev-
rons of first sergeant are stitched
Booted and spurred. with carbines slung
and saddles packed, these sun tanned
fellows are standing or sitting ut ease,
holding the reins of their sleepy charg-
s sef ana Wb h4s qnparert} for the
built Concord drawn by four sleek,
strong looking mules, now standing in
the shade near the canvas homestead
of the commanding officer
Presently two soldiers following Il
young man i'll civilian dress come for
ward Juggling little green painted iron
safe, and this, with swing and IL thud,
they deposit in the wagon
you've seen that before, sergeant,
laughs the civilian.
II have, bcgad, an when it had a
heap mole green inside an less outside
than it has now. Faith, [ never OK
pected to see it again, nor the paymaster
either. We were both bored through
an through. Twas orr good habits
that saved us. Sure Your predecessor
was a game fighter, Mr.. Barnes. if no
was tcnderfoot. "
Yes, the major often tells me he
wishes he had him back, and me in the
place he has instead of the one he had "
answers the clerk whimscallv. Does
he know you're TO command the escort
in? You got lin into such IL scrapo
then that he's never tired of telling of
it.''
Then he may feel gratiiied mt the
honor am doing him now. Sure it's
beneath the dignity of Il first sergeant
to command squad like this except
on an extraordinary occasion, an S to
take tho taste of the last time out of his
mouth ] volunteered to escort the ma
jor now. Twas strong taste to last
five years, though my reminder will go
with me many year longer. Here
they come now"
AS the sergeant speaks little group
of officers issues from tho battalion