The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-08-10

low range or blutfS, destitute or 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, similar range,
pierced here and there with deep ra-
vines, frames the picture on that side.
Midway between the two ridges and
fringed with clumps of cottonwood and
willow, 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 at right an
giles, hard prairie road comes twist
ing and turning out of one of the south
ern ravines, and after 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-
inson, Neb., where q big garrison of
some IA companies of cavalry and in
fantry keep watch and ward over the
Sioux nation, which, one year previous,
was in the midst of the maddest, most
successful war it ever waged against
the white man. That was the centen-
NAL year-1S76. This is another event
! full year for the cavalry-1877; 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 slope-and even now, on this
July day, here 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 bivouac extends.
Long before sunrise these hardy fellows
were in saddle, and in long column
have come marching down from the
north-four strong troops-a typica!
battalion of regular cavalry as they
looked and rode in 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
| ly doing, guards. One troop is made
up entirely OF black horses, another of
sorrels-two are of bays. Another
herd is grazing close to the stream
the mules of the wagon train-and the
white tops of these cumbrous vehicles
are dotting the left bank of the winding
water for 900 or 500 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 shade-all but squad
of dozen, commanded by n grizzled
veteran on whose worn blouse the chev-
rons of a first sergeant are stitched.
Booted and spurroa. with carbines slung
and saddles packed. these sun tanned
fellows are standing or sitting at ease,
holding the reins of their sleepy charg.
ers and waiting apparently for the pas
sengers who are to start in the stout
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 q
young man in civilian dress como for
ward Juggling little green painted iron
safe, and this, with a swing and thud,
they deposit in tho wagon.
you've seen that before, sergeant, "
laughs the civilian.
81 have, begad, an when it had u
heap moro green inside an less outside
than it has now. Faith, l never ex-
pected to see it again, nor the paymaster
either. We were both bored through
an through. Twas our good habits
that saved Us. Sure your predecessor
was game fighter, Mr.. Barnes, If he
was tenderfoot.'
eyes, the major often tells me be
wishes he had him back, and me in the
place he has instead of the one he had, "
answers the clerk whimsically. docs
he know you're to command the escort
in? You got him into such scrape
then that he's never tired of telling of
it,
"Then he may feel gratified at the
honor / am doing him now. Sure it's
beneath the dignity of first sergeant
to command squad like this except
on an extraordinary occasion, an it's to
take the taste of the last time out of his
mouth 1 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 the battalion
commanders tent. Foremost among
them, in loose Tapping raiment and
broad brimmed hat and green goggles,
is the rotund and portly shape of Major
Plummer, the paymaster.
"Well, old man," says the cavalry
leader, "you can hardly get into a
scrape 'twixt here and Sidney We've
seen you through all right so far; now
we'll go on about our scouting. Your
old friend Feeny asked permission to