The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-08-29
HELD THE FORT.

The yard of the stockade was filled
with the little garrison. They ran here
and there busily, tightening the cinches,
packing the mules with rations and
blankets and ammunition, laughing,
joking and larking.
In corner, silent, there stood apart,
watching the others with most pathetic
eyes, a boy of IA, who alone of all that
crowd seemed to have no share in the
hustle Of the departure. He was famed
i'll the legs so that to walk was difficult
and to ride impossible.
"Goodby, Teddyi' cried boy on
horse. Isn't it glorious hunting
weather? If you were only coming, too,
it would be perfect Oh, Teddy, you
you've been crying"
I've not, Jack" he said, with an
effort to speak calmly, "only-only I
hate to be left behind. If only | could
ridel"
'I'll bring you back the hide of the
first buffalo I shoot, Teddy" said Jack
consolingly and with no doubt in his
mind as to his bringing down any buff
falo at all
But, though Teddy thanked him and
tried to laugh, the offer was small COM
fort. What comfort could Jack offer?
well, anyway, Teddy" said Jack,
with happy inspiration, you'll have
bully time in the fort all by yourself
with only old Schneider. You'll be al
most in command yourself. +"
"Ah, yahl Who'll be in command?
Teddy McNabb! He couldn't keep out
the prairie dogs if they attacked the
fort
A stout, red faced young trumpeter,
a witless lout, had approached tfae
friends and made the remark.
By came the captain, whistling, jolly
and inspired with the breath of the
morning. He picked up the cripple in
his strong arms and held him high i'll
the air.
It's pity you can't come, laddie,"
he said gently, for there were few who
were not fond of Teddy, but you'll
find lots to do here. See! / duly COM
mission you as Sergeant Schreiber's
lieutenant i'll charge of Fort Ethan dur
ing my absence and particularly leave
in your charge my wife and her maid.
Mind you look well after them"
He planted the cripple tenderly on
the ground again and jumped into the
saddle of the horse the trumpeter held
ready Then they all rode off, gallant
little company, for the first big hunt of
the season.
"Give them farewell blast, Teddy"
said the captain $ wife beside him.
Teddy took his bugle willingly, for
this at least he could do-blow as sweet
a note as ever sent a soldier to dream of
home or walked him to the sunburst of
the morning. Far away on the summit
of bluff, beneath the horizon, the
vanishing troop heard the sound and
halted. Teddy ceased, and almost on
the instant there came to the watchers
the return call, faint and distant, but,
even i'll the distance, CHEEKY and con-
Eoling.
"Ah, Teddy, the bugle, the bugler'
said the captains wife. How it speaks
to a soldier and soldiers wifel Ser
geant Schneider, what's the strength of
your commando"
rive OF us, Sdlu Ine S6FSeduIs
quite sufficient in these times of
peace with the Indians, who are all out
on the hunt -
"There are six, sergeant, " said Teddy
quickly but timidly, and then flushed
when the sergeant's lip trembled with
a smile. But Schneider was good old
chap, and the smile instantly died
away. He had not counted Teddy, but
now he answered gravely:
That's right Teddy; six it is l
forgot to count myself.
The day dragged itself away more
drearily and lengthily than days usu-
ally did in the CHEEKY little stockade.
One afternoon AS Teddy peered along
the horizon line with the big, old fash
Toned telescope which was kept there
Tor the purpose he gave a cry of delight
ana called down to the yard, where