The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-11-01
HIS FIRST SCOUT
BIZ LOUIS FERGUSON.


sidered a great scout indeed by Pri
vate Myers, of Troop A. 1t was Pri
vate Myers very first outing, and he
seemed to truly realize the RESPONSE.
bilities involved. AS matter of fact,
the officer whose luck il was to finally
lead him towards hostile bullets was
no better Off in fighting experience
than was Myers. II was going to be
that officers first fighting experience
too, although ne had seen good and
hard service for nearly nine years
But Myers was unaware of such
trifling circumstance. He simply
knew that he himself was a recruit.
and he had innocent and implicit con-
6dence in all men older than he who
wore the blue and yellow.
Myers was an eighteen or nineteen
year old boy from one of the middle
states How he happened to persuade
the recruiting officer that he was
twenty-one at date of enlistment will
always be a mystery. Probably it
was because he was such cookbook
ing little boy. and because he exhib-
tied such ardent desire to be a soldier.
Possibly Myers had read more dime
novels than were good for him. More
possibly he really was imbued with
true soldierly spirit, and enlisted, and
was permitted to enlist, for that
reason-a trifle of falsehood as to real
age being compromised on the respec-
tive parts of both recruiting officer
and recruit.
1t was rather exciting the evening
the two troops of cavalry selected rode
out from Fort Apache after Geronimo
Orders had come quickly. That Sun
day morning few people knew in or
near the post-if any person at all ex-
cept Lieut.. Davis, who was in charge
of the Chiricahus Apaches-dreamed
of trouble. 1t was generally believed
that, SO far as the Chiricahua and
White Mountain Apaches were con-
cerned, the Indian problem was about
settled-through the wise administra-
tions of Lieut.. Davis, In charge of the
former, and of Lieut. Gatewood, who
was looking after the interests Of the
latter. Tranquil peace had reigued in
that portion of Arizona for so many
years that Crooks Apaches" had
grown to be universally regarded as
but thriving agriculturists.
1t is difficult even now, after years
have passed by and thorough investi-
cation of the subject has been had, to
decide what truly caused Geronimo's
outbreak To individuals who profess
to know the Indian it looked, and still
looks, like a strong case of heredity.
there was no mismanagement
on the part either of Davis or Gate
wood.
The troopers fled at decorous
walk through the post, following the
road leading to Seven-mile hill. When
the column turned out of sight into
the canyon, "Trot" was ordered, and
later "Gallop." This was brisk work
for Myers. 1t was a realization of his
dream of what a scout should be. All
of his fondest military authorities in
the troop library treated of galloping
troopers, and he remembered a particu-
larly interesting illustration showing
the Seventh cavalry. all in full-dress
with Custer at their head,
through the sally-port of q
frontier post in pursuit of hostile
Sioux. Apart from uniform and sally
port. there did seem to be somewhat OF
q difference on the present occasion.
Just now darkness was gathering
quickly, and the narrow wagon road
and the close crowding trees and
bushes rendering riding at a fast gait
awkward But it's bully, Tom. amt
it?" said Myers to the comrade who
rode beside him.
At the top of Seven-mile hill brief
halt was made. There, in little
while. the command was Joined by
Davis and Gatewood with their scouts,
who brought word that the Turkey
Ireek camp OF the Chiricahuas was
abandoned, Geronimo, hatcher, and
'ome fifty bucks gone, and that the
was in truth opened.
The first long halt. at a convenient
caused everything TO seem
still more like real soldering Men
gathered together in small groups
older soldiers were reminiscent, and
Myers listened eagerly 10 their talk.
lie envied these men their apparent
lnconcern as to the present situation,
md their evident extreme previous in
imacy, going back into years long
zone by, with Mackenzie, Writ Davis,
lieut.. Mckinney and other we'll
,nown heroes of the regiment The
expressions Me and the general"
md me and the ma jor," in allusion
o alleged incidents Of past occurrence,
He'd little Myers heart with q great /
eal of awe and reverence.
The march was resumed as soon as I
he first light OF day began to CLEAN
yer the hills, and Myers had inme- |
late experience of more fast riding. |
ERECTED for the purpose of making up |
ime lost by the two hours rest Trot /
nd gallop were again in order Down
he steep hill leading to Black river
rossing. through the river, and up /
he sleeper bank on the other side,
rashed and splashed and crashed the
roopers The hostile trail was too |
ot now for dismounting, even though
he path was so rough, or for even
except for a moment or two
or water. Signs of the hostiles had
cen in constant and direct evidence
ince daylight Ponies even and sur-
lus packs had already begun 70 10
bandoned- Those fellers ain't 50
cry far ahead. remarked Myers, for
citing for the instan; he was a re-
ruit, and momentarily finding his
DICE.
Tha, Myers was quite correct in MS