Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-12-03

Handed a SQUARE, .Ulite envelope to Ars.
DduntOn.
further after No. 8. Has that man been
drinking again." he turned and asked
the silent sergeant, a. tho relief marched
away.
ITS hard to say, sir. He's one Of
those steady soakera It would be difa.
cult to find him when he hadn't been
drinking more or less. I think he has
been drinking all day. but he knows
what he's doing and Is as sober as he
is at any other time"
Farrar gazed doubtfully at the relief
as 1t trudged away through the misty
moonlight. shook his head In some dis
aatisfaction, then turned In at tho door.
way Of the tower.
Il will look over the guardroom and
cells" said be- land visit sentries
later" and, taking up his lantern. tho
sergeant followed.
A big stove burned brightly in the
center Of the guardroom. and the men
of the third relief, sitting or sprawling
about, sprang up and stood to attention
as the officer looked in. Another stove,
the mate to 1t, was burning almost at
red heat in the general prison room
across the hall. Here were confined
some half dozen poor devils. tho scape-
graces OF the command; some drink sod
den and stupid, others merely reckless
and meier do weel." Following the
spirit Of holiday decoration and never
expecting the visit Of an officer that
night, one Of the number, with a fine
sense Of humor, had induced oomrade
to fetch him parcel from the barracks,
and now on the bare wooden wall oppo-
site the entrance there hung q chrome
with fowery border and the pious
sentiment, "God bless our happy
home" Wills eye caught it at the In.
slant Take that DOWN. said he, with
manifest indignation There Is to be
no burlesque business here tonight
There was faint odor Of dead tobacco
about the grimy room. you'll have to
search those men and that room," said
he TO the sergeant as they turned away.
"There must be neither pipes matches
nor anything with which they can start
. fire. II this old rookery ever flames II
will 20 like a fash. Do 1t at once. Any
men in the oells7''
"None. sir. and mono in tho outer
prison room"
Keep the other empty, then. The
chances are it'll be filed tomorrow
when the column gets back. Remember
the orders about fire."
mo mans like to forget that, lien.
tenant. with the powder stored there on
the second floor"
II know" answered Will gravely.
"How much powder is there therei"
"Only a dozen cartridges for the
reveille gun. sir. but that's enough to
blow the place into flinders"
"There's no one in the light prison
room on that floor?"
''No one. sir. That floor is empty.
There's no fire up there at ALL"
Presently the tramp. tramp OF mar
tial feet was heard on the crunching
snow, and officer and sergeant both
stepped forth to receive the relief Of
sentries Just taken of post. One Of them
was Grow Knife. He gravely saluted -
he passed his officer and placed his car
bine in the arm rack. then went out on
the east side Of the little building and
stood there, silent, listening for sounds
from the distant east.
MAY have the lieutenant's permits
sion to 70 out on the bluff awhile7" he
asked, as Farrar came by him. II can
hear the call Of the corporal il we are
wanted for anything, and I am very anx.
ious." And Will, who at first would
have said no. saw the anxiety in the
Indians face and consented.
"Crow is strangely superstitious, said
the sergeant, after moments silence.
"He has been like thss cver since he
came On guard. He says tie ghost dogs
were bowling the death song last night
and that somebody's to get his death
blow tonight. We can't laugh him out
| of it."
Will turned away and watched the
rapidly retreatina form, growing dim.