The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-09-27
Won a Commission.


mating the sandy plain around IN. fort
- only the moon in Arizona can illumi.
nat.
The officers. ldiers. aud their faml-
lies were peac,fuis sleeping. Mt u
sound was he.,t except the occasional
cry of a coyosr.
'rhre, a'clock struck and the sentinel
on post No. started the call;
M. |. 3 O'Clock. and all,- well
\ slight pause and No. , re,pnnt' d :
No :, 3 O'Clock. and all Mtl.
Then came a long pause.
Tie sergeant uf the guar stepped out
of the guardroom and listened.
"The sentinel on No. 3 must be
asleep" he remarked. bad business
for a sentinel guarding the corral.
Turning to No ] he commanded
"Start the call again.
No. obeyed. No . took it up. But
there again it ended.
The sergeant turned out a patrol and
marched to the corral.
Is he approached the sentnel's post
| in the moonlight he saw the figure OF
| No. stretched out on the ground. The
position did not look like that of a sleep
ing man.
sDouble time :" commanded the SER
geant.
Aud the patrol came down the post at
run.
As the man came closer to the figure
sight met their eyes that froze the blood
in their veins.
Lying face down in the sand, his hand
still grasbing his rifle, was their com
rade, stiff and cold in death, an Apache
arrow buried deep in his body.
| Three sharp cracks of the riil', the
rattle of the long roll of the drum soon
brought the startled garrison to the
spot.
Scouts were instantly sent out and the
plain thoroughly secured, but no Indian
signs could be found.
The next day, with muifed drums, the
members of the garrison followed the
body Of their comrade to its last resting
place. With uncovered head, SORROW
! fully and reverently they listened while
the post chaplain read the burial service.
| The military escort fired three rounds
over the grave, and the bugler played
the sweetest of all calls. "raps-lights
out-sleep." Naturally gloom was
| thrown over the whole post
The soldiers gathered in small groups
and discussed the perplexed question;
"Ilow could it have been done?" The
moon had been shining brightly. and
there was no cover behind which an In
dian could conceal himself.
The searching parties came in after
fruitlcss hunts.
Night came. There would be no lack
of vigilance on the part of the sentinel
on post No. 3. The moon was even
brighter than on the preceding night,
and the objects on the plain could be
seen almost as in the day time.
Each half hour the call of No. | was
promptly answered by all other senti-
nels.
Few expected repetition of the pre-
ceding nights cowardly attack. Grad
uallv the garrison became silent and one
by one the lights went out.
Morning came and nothing had hap
pened to disturb the reace of the little
| fort.
Several days passed aud the post set
tied down into its old ways, and the
memory of the dreadful event was be-
ginning to fade.
The officer of the day was making the
inspection of the seninels after mid
night and was approaching post No. 3,
when the moon, which had been hidden
behind IA cloud suddenly burst forth, re-
vealing at the very feet of the officer the
| body Of the sentinel, as before, COM
pletely pierced by an Indian arrow.
The alarm was quickly given, but in
spite of the most careful search no
traces of the assassin could be found
A horror settled over the post. No
one dreaded an enemy they knew and
could fight openly, but against such
ghostly attacks no one could defend
himself.
At officers call the next morning the
affair was earnestly discussed. 1t was
evidently wrong to require sentinel to
walk post in such an exposed and dan
gerous place, and yet, with the corral
where it was, no one could see how it
could be avoided.
While discussing the problem an or
derly appeared and reported;
"Private Rogers would like to speak
to the commanding officer.
The commanding officer went into his
private Office, and after the interview re-
turned to the room where the officers
were assembled.
"Ioung Rogers has asked permission
to take charge of post No. 3 at night I'M
til he solves the mystery, and | have
granted his request.
The faces of the officers showed plain
ly the anxiety they felt.
Young Rogers was the son of broth
CT captain in their regiment who at that
time was stationed in an eastern city on
recruiting service.
The young man had enlisted six
months previously with the object of OBJ
tanning an officers commission, which
may be won by worthy and capable
nan.
The young fellow had gained the es-
teen and respect of every one by his
manly qualities and strict obedience to
orders. Many of the officers had known
him from his childhood. He had been
the playmate of their children and a
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't volunteer" they pleaded.
1t was no use. The young man had a
theory, and If he proved it and discover
ed the assassin he knew that he would
get his coveted commission.
He was excused from all duties during
the day, and after nightfall assumed
charge of the dreaded post No. 3.
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.
Seated on the ground, his back against
the corral, his rifle on his knees, he was
apparently asleep.
Apparently only, for his sharp eyes
keeny watched every part of the plain.