The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-03
CHAPTER II.

cred That his tall comrade had been the
fast-hying messenger OF mistake
He felt, however, that his prob
lem was in no wise lifted from
him. There was on the contrary an
irritating prolongation. The tale had
created in him great concern for him
Gelf. And now, with this newborn
question in his mind, he was compelled
to sink back into his old place US part
of blue demonstration.
For days he made ceaseless calcula-
tions, but they were all wondrously
unsatisfactory. He found that he could
establish nothing. Finally he concluded
that the only way to prove himself
was to go into the blaze and then, fig
uratively, to watch his legs to discover
their merits and faults.
Meanwhile he continually tried to
measure himself by his comrades. The
tall soldier, for one, gave him some as
surance. This mans serene unconcern
dealt him measure Of confidence, for
he had known him from childhood, and
from his intimate knowledge he did
not see how this man could be capable
of anything that was beyond him.
The youth would have liked to have
discovered another who suspected hix-
self. hsympathetic comparison of men
tai notes would have been great Joy
to him. He occasionally tried to fathom
a comrade with seductive sentences.
He was afraid to make an open declar-
alton Of his condition, because it might
place some INSCRIPTIONS confdant
upon the high plane of the unconfessed,
from which elevation he could be de-
rided.
One morning, however, he found him
self in the ranks Of his prepared regi-
ment. The men were whispering spec
ulations and recounting the old rumors.
In the gloom before the break of day,
their uniforms glowed deep purple
hue. From across the river the red
eyes were still peering. In the eastern
sky, there was yellow patch like
rug laid for the feet of the coming sun.
And against 1t, black and pattern-like,
loomed the gigantic figure Of the
colonel on gigantic horse.
From off in the darkness came the
trampling Of feet. The youth could
occasionally see dark shadows that
moved like monsters. The regiment
stood at rost for what seemed long
time The youth grew impatient. 1t
was uncomfortable, the way these affairs
were managed. He wondered how long
they We're to be kept waiting.
At last he heard from along the road
at the foot of the hill the clatter of
horses galloping hoofs. 1t must be the
coming of orders. He bent forward,
scarce breathing. The exciting clickety-
click us 1t grew louder and louder
seemed to be beating upon his soul Pres
entity horseman with jangling equip
ment drew rein before the colonel OF
the regiment. The two held short,
sharp-worded conversation. The men in
the foremost ranks craned their necks.
AS the horseman wheeled his animal
and galloped away, he turned to shout
over his shoulder: Don't forget that
box of cigars" The colonel mumbled
in reply, The youth wondered what q
box of cigars had to do with war.
A moment later the regiment went
swinging off into the darkness. Itwas
now like one OF those moving monsters
vending with many feet. The air was
heavy and cold with dew. A mass Of
wet grass, marched upon, rustled like
silk
There was an occasional fash and
glimmer of steel from the backs of
all these huge crawling reptiles. From
the road, came crackings and grum-
blings us some surly guns were dragged
away.
The men stumbled along still NUT
tering speculations. There was sub
dued debate. Once, man fell down
and as he reached for his rife COM
rade, unseeing, trod upon his hand. He
of the injured fingers swore bitterly
and aloud. Allow, tittering laugh went
among his fellows.
Presently they passed into road
way and marched along with easy
strides A dark regiment moved be-
fore them, and, from behind, also,
came the tinlslc of equipments on tho
bodies of marching men.
The rushing yellow of the develop
ing day went on behind their backs.
When the sun rays at last struck full
and mellowingly upon the earth,
the youth saw that the landscape
was streaked with two long, thin,
black columns, which disappeared on
the brow,of the hill In front and rear
ward vanished in wood. They were
like two serpents crawling from the
cavern Of the night.
The river was not in view. The tall
soldier burst out in praise Of what he
thought to be his powers Of perception.
"Didn't tell you?"
The youth took no part In them. AS
he walked along in careless line, he wal
engaged with his own eternal debate
He could not hinder himself from
dwelling upon It. He was desponden'
and sullen and threw shifting glance'
about him. He looked ahead often ex
pecting to hear from the advance thu
rattle Of firing.
CHAPTER Ill
When another night came, the col