The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-17

The relaxation of relief went through the wrought and waiting camp. The soldiers were not seeking them. Ready as these desperate men had been to do their leaders bidding, they were we'll aware that momentary victory over the troopers would not pass unpunished and meant the ultimate dispersion of the camp, and quiet as these innocent invaders seemed to be they would 10 doubt sell their lives dearly. The en- battled desperadoes glanced anxiously at their leader. The soldiers, on the contrary, looked straight before them.
 Process or no process, y said Major Overstone, with sheer, "you've come to the last place to recover your deserters. We don't give up men in Wynyard's Bar. And they didn't teach you at the academy, sir, to stop to take prisoners when you were outfanked and outnun- bered. "
 "Bedad, they didn't teach you, Cap tain Overstone, to engage battery at Cerro Gordo with half company, but you did 1t. More shame to you now, sir, commandin the thaves and ruffians you do. |"
 'Silence" said the young officer.
 The sleeve of the sergeant who had spoken-with the chevrons of long serv- ice upon it-went up to salute and dropped again over his carbine as he stared stolidly before him. But his shot had told. A flush of mingled pride and shame passed over Overstone's face.
 "Oh, it's you, Murphyl'' he said, with an affected laugh. "and you haven't improved in discipline with your stripes"
 The young officer turned his head slightly.
 ''Attentionp'
 "One moment more, said Overstone, coming forward. II have told you that we don't give up any man who seeks our protection. But" he added, with 3 half careless, half contemptuous wave of his hand and significant glance at his followers, Eve don't prevent you from seeking him. The road is clear. The camp is before you
 The young officer continued without looking at him: "Forward-in two files -open crder. Ma-arch!'
 The little troop moved forward, pass ed Major Overstone at the head of the gully and spread out on the hillside. The assembled camp, still armed, loung- ing out of ambush here and there, iron ically made way for them to pass. A few moments of this farcical quest and a glance at the impenetrably wooded heights around apparently satisfied the young officer, and he turned his files again into the gully. Major Overstone was still lingering there
 "I hope you are satisfied" he said grimly. He then paused and in changed and more hesitating voice add ed, 1T am an older soldier than you, sir. but I am always glad to make the acquaintance of West Point" He paused and held out his hand.
 Vest Point, still red ard rigid, glanced at him with bright, clear eyes under light lashes and the peak of a smartly cooked cap, looked coolly at the proffered hand, raised his own to stiff salute, said, Good afternoon, sir, and rode away.
 Major Overstone wheeled angrily, but in doing so came sharply upon his CO., adjutor, the leader of the ambushed party.
 "Well, Dawson," he said impatient ly, "who was it?'
 "Only one of them d--d half breed Injin agents. He's just over there in the brush with Simpson, lying low till the soldiers cl'a out ;"
 "Did you talk to him?"
 "Not much!' returned Dawson scorn- fully. "He ain't my style"
 "Fetoh him up tom cabin. He may be of some use to us. .'
 Dawson looked skeptical 'T reckon he ain't no more gain here than he was over there," he said and turned away.
 (To BE CoNTINUED.)