The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-12-11
more went out IL

Over at the guardhouse the lights
burned dimly and he could see the
shadowy forms of the sentry on No /
slowly pacing his post. Stepping out
upon the parade, he noted that only in
one or two of the windows were the
night lights still burning. Earlier in
the night signal fires could be seen far
over the southeast in the Sierra Ancha,
but they had dwindled away. Every
thing about the garrison seemed to
speak of calm and security, yet, along
the porticos of the opposite barracks
and in their hunks within, hundred
arms close at hand. Many of them had
not even kicked off their boots. Mum
Der 1-half-past two o'clock" rang the
call of the sentry at the guard house.
Then No. took it up over at the south
west, adding in CHEEKY, resonant tone,
'a-a-lis we-e-ll." No. s, far out on the
west front-one of the sentries warned
to watch for Icons signal-came next,
and he, too, piped his soldiers lay,
prompt and clear and confident. Then
No. at the northwest-hew who had the
best view of the distant valley of the
Sandy and the bold outlines Of Signal
Butte-a big, burly German he-and his
deep bass voice rolled out like the
below of bull; "Holluf bahst doc
O'CLOCK, unit a-a-hls VEIL" Over at the
guardhouse the men of the first relief
were already turning out preparatory to
being inspected and marched off to re-
lieve the members of the third, who had
gone out at half-past twelve, and as big
Stromberg's resonant below went
echoing away to the Socorro, there was
an audible litter and laughing imita-
tions of his German accent, and then,
sternly, the sergeant's voice ordered
''Shut up, there! Stop that noise!"
The call had stopped short with No.
4. Not sound had come from No. 5.
who's No. 5 on your relief?" asked
the sergeant, sharply.
"Ruckel, the new man." replied the
corporal already picking up his car
bine, but listening intently.
'Ruckel's a snoozer," laughed boy
trumpeter, nervously.
"Silence, you! Quick, corporal, said
the sergeant. 1.-THE man couldn't sleep
through that Dutchman's yell.
Promptly the corporal went bounding
across the parade, the short cut to the
north side, and Maj. Thornton, some
strange fear hammering at his heart,
fast as he could walk, had hurried
around to the back of his quarters,
where once more he could see the polar
consultations shimmering over the So
oo,.,o on1 tho din, cr,,a lo1,-
and stretching away from the slope at
is very feet. Already big Stromberg
d begun to repeat his call in Teuton-
observance of the order that if the
next sentry failed to pass it it should
be repeated once. Already Number Six,
far around at the corral, had lifted up
a shout for the corporal, convinced that
something must be wrong with Five.
But the corporal was in rapid rush for
the scene. He never pulled up as he
passed the major, but hastened on
down the bluff. Thornton paused at
the brink
"Where are you, Five? What's the
matterP" he heard the corporal's eager
hail in the darkness. No answer.
"Where are you, Ruckel9 VIII"
Then stumble-a stitled exclamation
the sound of something like a car
bine falling on the sandy ground, and
then along the bluff trot, trot, trot, trot,
trot, double time, the rapid coming of
the sergeant with the patrol and
lantern.
"This way, sergeant" cried the ma
tor, as he led on down the slope.