The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-12-18
CHAPTER X.

4 soutar, aad 1oca nigh erhaustod
trooper.
..Since yon ask me, sir, l most dis
tinctly oppose its being referredto Major
BerIien. He Is doing well. but the ox-
citement might bring on fever-and dis
aster7
It was Dr. Holden who sPoke-and
very firmly spoile-tO Colonel FarquhaT
four days after Tie little fight beyond
the Porcupine. TIE colonel sat with
bowed head. grave AID thoughtful. Be
fore him stood his surgeon. respectful
but most earnest IL manner. Beside
him on the narrow field bed sat Rolfe,
with face of gloon-three or foar letters
and a telegram IL his GaIntleted hand
ALREADY the viatry twilight was settling
down; the wind, that had been meaning
through tie fimsy shelter FOR the last
hour. was now whistling ii gathering
wrath and Tapping every loose raS Of
canvas about the crowded cant0ament.
Mules and horses at the picket lines
with ore accord were turning tail to The
black northwest and paving the hard
ard frozen ground in nervous disquiet
The orderly who suddenly stepped with
En- the tent was followed by few whirl-
5ng fakes Of snow. and the first match
he struck in the effort to light the
colonel's field lamp was pulled cut in a
twinkling.
'-Give my compliments to Eir. Brew
ster and ask him 20 step here. said the
colonel aftes a moments silence, and
the orderly vanished.
In the camp of the Twelfth. where
Berrien was universally beloved, three
names had been On every lip since the
b2ttalion's return-tn0se Of the gallant
major himself, Of Lieutenant Brewster
and Of Sergeant Ellis. Painfully shot
and stunned and bruised though he was,
Berrien's wits had never left hi-a. he
was positive that the rush Of war parties
howard the old road p0rtended mischief.
8nd despite the latcness Of the hoar he
ordered the battalion to saddle al once
md march 10 the PorcJpinc. From the
abandoned lodge poles found aioug the
Banks experienced hands had quickly
i2shed together a comfortable litter.
/ Between these improvisod shafts TWO Of
The most seda.e of the elderly pack
lnules were AarEcssed fore and aft. \
bed Of robes and blankets was hung
midway. AID while Bolfe and Hazlett
pushed ahe.d scouting every ridge and
ravine with their keen eyed skirsuislers.
iorham and Thorpe followed, escortiig
iheir beloved chief
just as was anticipated. Il uightfali
the distant fash aGd report of rifles
proved that tie Eostiies were busily al
work IN some Gevilty or other and.
launching forward at the sallop, Rolfe's
oag line swoopcd down into lhe VALLEY
L time 10 send the yelling circle o.
mounted warriors wlirling away into
he rayines beyond the stream. and 70
escue a little squad OF scouts and troop
rs, mere handful. who had ventuued
0rth with dispatches Eoc Bsrcien's con-
nand and were fighting for life behind
heir slaughtered horses. Two were
lready sorely wounded and al wouid
doubtless have lost their scclQs but Ior
he veteran majors clear Judgment and
he sense Of duty that triunQhed over
physical pain.
The ould mans clear @lit al
hrough. sid his iEvcria--e biologists.
he troopers. Bat there would have
zen no dear old i-G2 l,ft &C. t-eu. as
-llis and Scott had horne t.s.i--lc-r. had
not beCa for Irl vatcr's g .-ire c,lar-e
MO the mics; II tie rea s5a-r.c.s. II
vas bis bale. thai laid i5r ta- ava-e
irandisher III tie knife il.- ae hc wouil
iave r.lshei the brave 0l o.. .raa-.
5gt .'M Ei.c WpiT La1 Carl..l las ll.t
roup and. s-ri-lti oi ii- ln.-r. isy
llerigE an tle t-rc,
galtlIg lg1ll..l Ella-l s.t .-r lslls a.
is bowling com1te
EvcIy soldiers hea.s b. .aicod tina. j.
yas Brewster rh9 sawed the MAYORS
r.. fgr BresHter. of aI CHS rui,1ltelus.
Jas trgt fsvoritc amcag the rank aas
le. Anl as fgr Ells tl0r-h D. Wa
lo exclcsive-''teo mEcl hike ls tlousi
e wanted O. l'e an olicor--tsl,e -ealr-
lly popular allor- tIe Llcl. D. hll -
Jays cuulil1nlel their Respect and Is
ieEFectel Ise1ess on tlis occasion
Crvo tae fellow had. o. H. sgre. - lie
here playing plssEm@ 5ust a. tbough
e were STONE dead AID ripe Tor scalp
y. and 80 tempt his q atlantis oui from
.o cover of the raviuc. ani thea never
-r unin they were So close be simply
o-ldn't miss. aud 80 ''got ia his deadly
,'ork. Brewster all His we're the
laJor's avengers, tie two troopers who
"a dealt oUt death 10 the foe. ani who
7ere therefore. from the soldier point CT
iew. the men most entitled 70 the hon
p OF the day.
And yet. II the very moment wlea
rery other man in the regiment vscs
aading their names and oongrstulati,lg
4 penn upon their deserved laErcls. oae
captain, Rolfe, y-Ss practically dcmand-
ag II the hands Of his colonel that they
Eloula be stripped Of their high estate
- sent TO tha re:.r ii arrest.
Is Dr. Holden stood there listening 10
BE accusations and arguments brought
Drward by Captain Rolfe. he could nat
bat recall the remarks that IN one form
s. oshcr had occasionally been brought
ms ears AZ Eolfe's expense. Even SO
snservative and LOYAL e fellcw as War
q, TIE ad5utant, had once summarized
s character IN forci5le terms. i re-
'ect his ability. said be- ~but damn
Is esotisn. Rolfe in this regiment Is /
ist like the enc juror who said ihat
1iey could long ago have agreed ca con
fction bat for The eleven blooming
Siots WAC held ont for acquirtal." /
oife was a man Of such intensity Ct |
1iniOn and purpose THAI once having |
ace up his own mind as 10 what some |
Ddy else ought 10 do, he deemed il not
lly right but duty 10 instruct the /
.-.ler Iiariy. 10 matter whs1 that li1rty's 1
.nk CT station might b; ara this was
raeiieaily what I.cife had been dong 4
his colonel eyer since Holden 40