The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-07-07

Tho next day, with muffied drums, tho
members of the garrison followed the body
of their comrado to its last resting place.
With uncovered heads, sorrowfully and
reverently, they listened while the post
chaplain read tho burial service. The mill
tary escort fired three rounds over the
grave, and the bugler played the sweetest
Of all calls, .Taps-lights out--sleep."
Naturally gloom was thrown over the
whole post.
Tho soldiers gathered in small groups
and discussed the pcrplexed question,
"How could 1t have been done2" The
moon had been shining brightly, and there
WINS no cover behind which an Indian
could conceal himself.
Tho searching parties came in after
fruitless hunts.
The corral was in an exposed place, but
the animals had to be guarded.
Night came. There would be no lack
Of vigilance on tho part of the sentinel on
post No. 8. The moon was even brighter
than on the preceding night, and the OBJ
iects OH the plain could be seen almost as
distinctly us In tho daytime.
Each half hour the call of No. was
promptly answered by the other sentinels.
Few expected u repetition Of the preccd-
ing nights cowardly attack. Gradually
the garrison became silent, and one by
one the lights Went out.
Some of the more nervous awoke every
half hour, listened until all the sentinels
had responded TO the call, then dropped
asleep again.
Morning came, and nothing had happen
ell to disturb the peace of the little fort,
Several days passed, and the post settled
down into Its old ways, and the memory
1f,ul
fade
Tho officer Of tho day was making the
inspection OF the sentinols after midnight,
and was approaching post No. 8, when tho
moon, which had been hidden behind q
cloud, suddenly burst forth, revealing at
the very feet of the officer the body of the
sentinel, as before, completely pierced by
OH Indian arrow.
Tho alarm was quickly given, but In
spite Of tho most careful search no trace 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 at
tanks no ono could defend himself.
At officers call the next morning tho
affair was earnestly discussed. twas evil
IDENTIFY wrong to require sentinel to walk
post In such an exposed and dangerous
place, and yet, with the corral where it
was, no one could see how it could be
avoided.
While discussing the problem an orderly
appeared and reported:
Private Rogers would like TO speak to
the commanding officer"
Tho commanding officer went into his
private office, and after tho interview re-
turned to the room where the officers were
assembled and announced:
young Rogers has asked permission to
take charge Of post No. at night until he
solves the mystery, and have granted his
request"
The faces of the officers showed plainly
the anxiety they felt.
Young Rogers was the son Of q brother
captain in their regiment, who, at that
time, was stationed i'll an eastern city on
recruiting service.
The young man had enlisted six months
previously with the object of obtaining en-
officers commission, which may be won
by worthy and capable man.
Tho young fellow had gained the esteem
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 great favorlte with
all.
Later on many tried to persuade him to
Withdraw his request.
''Take the post II it falls to your lot, but
don't volunteer" they pleaded.
II was no use. The young man had q
theory, and If he proved it and discovered
the assassin he knew that he would get
his coveted commission.
He was excused from all duties during
H. nft Il
charge of the dreaded post No. 8.
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.
Ono would have expected to have seen
him alert, actively watching for the slight
est sign of danger, but he had different
idea.
Seated on the ground, his back against
the corral, his rifle 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 shrewd, tricky,
but at the same time "a bold enemy in
that willy Apache He felt sure that the
Indian, especially in the second case, had
not crept up on his victim unopserved.
He must have employed somo disguise
which had completely deceived the senti-
mel. What was this disguises
''That Apache would be moro apt to be-
tray himself if he thought me asleep than
he would II he saw that l was watching
him, was his sound argument.
Through the long hours of the night he
sat motionless. 1t was O'Clock when sud.
denly he caught sight of moving object
on tho plain, some distance away. Noise
lessly he cccktd his rifle He Was q dead
shot and woe be TO that object when he
fired. Nearer and nearer 1t came, while
he sat as if asleep.
why, it is Corporate he suddenly ex.
claimed to himself.
Corporal was fine large Newfoundland
dog tho pet Of the garrison, who had mys-
teriously disappeared from tho post two
weeks before and whom every one sup
posed to have been stolen.
Rogers first impulse was to coll tho
dog, when he remembered his resolution
-'shoot ahy moving object that comes
within range"
He therefore restrained his impulse, and
no ono could have guessed that the np-
parently sleeping sentinel was closely
watching every movement Us the dog ap-
preached.
1t was lucky idea Of Rogers to feIgn
sleep, for as the dog came nearer he
thought he noticed something peculiar in
disappearance, and its actions did not seem
quito natural.
Possibly Corporal may be exhausted
from hunger, or 1t may be the deceptive
light of the MOON" thought Rogers.
The dog wus now within close range,
and h. could hesitate no longer.
ut Is matter of life or death" " ho re-