Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-12-10

Over across the wind swept parade,
among the rows Of wooden barracks,
was one building where no laughter
rang and about which. wary and vigi-
liant, three or four noncommissioned
officers lowered incessantly. Here were
uuartered Grow Knife's few remaining
comrades Of the Indian troop. Here were
gathered already dozen Of his kindred
from Big Roads transplanted village,
forbidden by the fury Of the storm to re-
turn to their tepees up the valley, ban
ished by the surgeon from the confines
of the hospital, where they would fain
have set up their mournful death song
to the distraction Of the patients and re-
fused by the colonel the creature com.
forts they had promptly and thriftily
demanded, except on condition that they
consume them in quiet and decorum at
the Indian barracks and deny them
selves the luxury Of their woo. Tomtom
and howl were stilled, therefore, while
the funeral baked meats went from hand
to mouth and disappeared with marvel.
ous rapidity. and indeed but for its ex-
citing effect upon the warriors the colo
mel might as we'll have accorded them
the right to lament after their own
fashion, since the bowling Of the tenn
pests would have drowned all human
wall from within the wooden wallA
But while they had promised to hold no
aboriginal ceremony over Crow Knife's
death and meant to keep their word
they had refused to pledge themselves
to attempt no vengeance ON his slayer.
Well they knew that throughout the
garrison nine out Of ten Of tho troopers
would have cared not q sou had some
one taken Graice from the guardhouse
and strung him up to the old flagstaff
without benefit Of clergy, but this would
not have satisfied Indian ideas, hang
ing according to their creed being far
too good for him.
Two Of the best and most trustworthy
Indians were placed by Leale, with the
surgeons consent, as watchers by the
bier Of the soldier scout but the Others,
to man, were herded within the bar
racks and forbidden to attempt to set
foot outside. Close ut hand in the ad-
joining quarters the men Of two troops
were held in readiness, under orders not
to take off their belts, against any sud-
den outbreak, but the few who first had
talked Of lynching or other summary
vengeance had soon been hushed to
silence. What was feared among tho
officers was that Graice had been told
by some of the guard that the Indians
were determined to have his scalp, and
that the soldiery so despised him that
be could not rely upon them to defend
him. Sergeant Grafton was confident
that Graice hoped in some way, by con-
nivance perhaps Of members OF the
guard, to slip out Of the building and
take refuge among the outlaws at the
groggery across the stream. Having
killed an Indian he had at least some
little claim, according to their theory.
to frontiersman' s respect
Returning to the guardhouse. as he
had promised Will, Malcolm Lcale was
in nowise surprised at Grafton g anxiety
and even less to learn that Graice had
begged to be allowed to have speech
with his captain.
1t was ghastly face that peered out
from the dim interior of the little pris-
on in answer to the officers summons
At sound Of footsteps on the creaking
stairway Graice had apparently hidden
in the depths Of the room and only slow
ly came forward at the sound of the
commanding voice he knew. Hangdog
and drink sodden as was bis look, there
was some lingering, some revival per.
haps Of the old defiant, disdainful man.
ner he had shown to almost every man
at Frayne. Respect his captain as even
such as he was forced to do, look up to
him now as possibly his only hope and
salvation, there was yet to his clouded
intellect some warrant for vague SEN
timent Of superiority.
Outcast, migrate, drankard, murderer
though he was, he, Private Tom Graioe.
born Royle Farrar, was legal owner OF
all that his captain held fairest, dear
est, most precious in all the world.
Leale's love for Helen Daunton was
something the whole garrison had seen
and seen with hearty sympathy. It
would be something to teach this proud
and honored officer that he, the despised
and criminal tough, was, after all. q
man to be envied as the husband Of the
woman his captain could now only
vsinly and hopelessly love. It was bio
plan to bargain with him, to invoke bis
aid, to tempt the honor Of soldier and
q gentleman, but for moment, at sight
Of that stern, sad face, he stood abashed.
"You wished to see me, " said Lesle.
"and will hear you now."
"I've got that to say want no other
man to know" was the reply after an
interval Of few seconds, "and want
your word Of honor that you will hold
1t sacred"
II decline any promise whatever.
What do you wish to sayp"
"Well, what have to tell you inter
ests you more than any man on earth,
Captain Leale I'm in hell here; I'm
at your mercy perhaps. Ny life is
threatened by these hounds, because BY
accident that knife went into that blind
FOOLS vitals. It was only self defense
didn't mean to hurt him"
mo. was the object, ! clearly un-
derstand," said Lealo. "Go or"
"Well, it's a. man to man want to
speak. You know never meant to harm
him. You can give me a chance for JUS
tice, for life, and IL can make 1t
worth your while"
THAT will do," was the stern re-
sponse. mo more on that head Whst