Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-12-24
CHAPTER XIV

IutO GIlo uIute.
CHAPTER XIV
"The Battle Of the Ghosts" 80 Big
Roads people called it long months
after, fought late at night and far up
the slopes Of the Elk range, was report
cd at Fort Frayne before the rising OF
another SUM- The mysterious system Of
signaling which enabled the Indians OF
the reservations in Nebraska to know
the details Of the Custer massacre before
they could be wired from Bismarck
was here in use again, and straggleEs
from tho band far back at Trooper creek,
and even the cowboys aud ranchmen
carousing about Bunko Jim's in honor
Of the triumph of their plans, knew all
about Farwell's overtaking the village,
of Farrar's desperate stand and Wayne's
long gallop to their support before the
first tidings were whispered within the
silent walls across the stream or even
guessed at by the grim old soldier rous-
ing from his sleep barely ten miles from
the seat Of action. The first news to
reach the garrison came from Jimtown
duu Wd6 A6uAnCu w oS~AA ~ AASAASSAc
of the guard. The next words went fear
fully along among the kitchens Of On.
GERS row and speedily reached the ears
of the anxious wives and children OF the
soldiers in the field, and still the sur
geon left in charge at Frayne refused to
believe the rumors and hastened to for.
bid that any one should speak Of them
where they could reach the ears Of the
household of Farrar, for the croakers
told of fell disaster and Of the death OF
the last soldier Of that honored name.
But bad news travels fast, and the
direful tidings reached Lucretia Fen
toms ears while Kitty still slept the
sleep Of the young, the innocent and
unsuspicious, and what Lucretia knew
she could never conceal. The morning
gun had failed to wake Wills dainty
ladylove, the trumpets rang no reveille,
for there was no garrison to rouse, and
only one trumpeter remained to sound
the calls, but people were up and astlr
and hurrying from house to house long
before the usual hour, and Marjorie
Farrar, watching by the bedside Of her
stricken daughter, heard with straining
ears the excited tones Of the servants at
the back doors and but for Helen Daun-
toms vigilance would herself have gone
to ascertain the cause. Stipulating that
her friend should not go down stairs,
Helen had hastened forth, finding their
own kitchen deserted, and, as the colo
nel's house was but a few rods away and
Lucretia was there at the gate in vehe-
ment recitative with Mrs. Amory and
certain Of the younger bellies of the gar
rison as listeners, Helen FASTENED thith-
er, only to see the party scatter at her
approach This in itself was ominous.
but it was no time for hesitation. Some
of the party were evidently In tears.
The old chaplain was rapidly approach.
ing from his quarters on the westward
side; the doctor, tieldglass in hand, was
studying the snowy expanse to the north
from the edge Of the bluff With him
stood the sergeant of the guard, and an
other noncommissioned officer was has.
tening toward him up the sentry post
of No. 5. 1t was to them she appealed,
and in their faces she read the first in
timation of i'll news
Ine doctor turned as though no had
been expecting her and held forth his
hand. II am glad you are here, he
said, for have reason to disbelieve
the news that has been frittering in ever
since dawn, but / wish it kept from
Mrs. Farrar as long as possible. y
Helen's face had turned white as the
snow. He saw it and drew her arm
within his own. "Stragglers from Big
Roads band say-those that Were left
at Trooper creek, at least-that there
was q fight last night. Part Of the vii
lage was captured and part of the band
broke through and got away. The In
dians claim to have killed several OF
our people, but they are the biggest
boosters on the face Of the globe The
cowboys over yonder believe it, because
they hate Fenton and the Twelfth and
wouldn't be sorry to have them worsted.
because that would bring on big war
and lots of troops. We would have heard
it by this time in some way had there
been serious disaster. "
but, doctor, Miss Fenton and others
with her hastened away when they saw
me coming. and they We're i'll tears. "
"Oh, they We got hold Of some silly
story that the servants have been gab-
bling aud that I've tried to test, that
Farrar is among the injured. 1t all
comes from that vile roost over there, ="
said he, scowling Indignantly at Jim
town. "No. don't you give way, Mrs
Daunton," he continued as she seemed
to shiver and tremble. Ishall need all
your strength if there be trouble COM
ing. But, II my opinion is not suft1-
cient, let me tell you what Captain
Leale thinks. He says that the Indians
wouldn't fight in the dark except at
long range, and the story is that Will
was tomahawked, Keep everything from
her, therefore, for the present Colonel
Fenton will be here by noon. 2"
keep everything from her, doctor
A mother reads faces as You do books.
No one can conceal from Mrs. Farrar
that ill news is in the air and that it is
Of her boy. Is there no way we can find
the truth? Anything almost would be
better than suspense!" she cried with
breaking voice.
Il know Of none, my poor friend,
he gently answered. "All over there al
the settlement is riot and confusion.