The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-11-19
Tale of a Deserter.
From Chambers Journal. In Four Parts)
PART II.

q
behind him lay his post, the one spot OF
all others which the Greeks would choose
for their point of attack, should they make
it at dawn. That the attack was contem-
plated he knew. He alone Of all men, now
that Riv:ngton was gone, possessed the
fateful knowledge Floyd, though he had
not neglected precautions, was secure In
the belief that the Indians were far away.
Only Through Riy.ngton could the mistake
have been corrected, and now Riyington
was dead the secret was in the possession
of Amos and none other. The lives OF
some two thousand men were in his keep
ing. Floyd trusted him; has comrades slept
at ease reyling upon his skill and caution !;
and now he was about TO betray his trust;
to sacrifice them for an end Of his own.
Behind him lay his duty-llis duty where
IN til now he had never failed. Before him
Law his hopes, shadowy, underlined, forlorn;
for that he could not reach the Creek
camp ere death, or worse, had overtaken
his Agnes was almost beyond the bounds
OF possibility.
But slightly probable though it was,
there was yet the bare possibility; and Oh,
God, to picture her there alone, weeping,
despairing, praying, waiting for the help
that he alone could bring; for ne alone
knew of her desperate position. He thank
ed God that she knew not that he knew.
He cursed himself that he should hesitate
for one moment between his duty and his
love. He execrated the General, who held
him bound to his post by every tie of
honor. He questioned Of himself with bit
ter emphasis of the two thousand men be-
hind MIN, men of whom nine out OF ten
were unknown to him, when the one lie,
dearer TO him than those Of thousands OF
millions of others, dearer to ham than al
the world, was at stake. Why should he
hesitate? He was bound by no stringent
military rule He was but volunteer,
who had joined more for the sport of the
thing than for aught else. He, at least,
had no personal wrongs to avenge. He had
no quarrel, save. that of race, with the per-
secuted Indian Not until now. And now
Nemesis, following with swift foot, had
overtaksn him, and Nature was TO avense
her slaughtered children. Why should ne
stay? Were there not other points at whsch
the Creeks might make their attack? Were
there not other scouts besides poor Riv-
ington, who might have borne the news
10 Floyd, who might even now be alert
and preparing? Were there not other SEN
tries who could and would give the alarm
as well as he? Might not, after all. Riv-
ine,ton have been mistaken as to the
threatened advance? 1t was natural that,
on seeing the Creeks in force, he should
suppose them about to move to battle.
But what less likely? Their successes had
not been so conspicuous as TO hold out
much inducement TO them to attack q
strong position. Most likely they were but
a marauding party moving on. Moving
on Moving on, Moving away! And
bearing Agnes with them. The thought
unnamed him, and he sank to the ground,
covering his face with his hands.
The brook babbled on TO join some
mighty river, the breeze that followed the
advent of midnight began TO stir among
the trees; here and there the notes of a
night-bird broke the stiffness sharply; the
stars looked down upon him in their calm,
p!tiless fashion, and still Amos sat there,
neither returning to his post nor moving
forward to the succor of his love-sat there,
inert, helpless, unnerved, struggling weak
~ between the calling voices of love and
duty.
But the balance was all on the side OF
love; and, at last, as out of the darkness,
came a suggestion. He sprang to his feet
once more, frightened the belt of his tunic
and, casting his duty to the wind. hasten
ed with swift though stealthy feet in the
direction Of the Creek encampment.
For a beam of light had illumined the
darkness of desolation that sat upon his
soul, and in spirit he asked himself, why
not do both? The Indians will not attack
before dawn in any case, for the Difficult
ties in their way are too great Long ere
that can reach their camp, perhaps save
Agnes, and be back in ample time to give
the alarm. I can say that l found cause
to advance and the news I bring will be
my excuse for leaving my post. After all
I am not leaving it; am but extending it
It IS better for every one that l should "a
forward"
He clutched at the thought with the des-
peration of a man drowning in a sea of in
decision; and stopping no more to argue
with himself, went on as rapidly as the
darkness would allow.
Well for him that he knew the coun-
try. There were landmarks visible to him
dark night though it was, that few white
men besides himself could have recog-
nized. There was the brook upon the right
the great bald mountain, amidst whose
crags he had so often hunted, upon his
iell, Inc very VI W iAo'c ~
was ignorant, were as s:gnal-lamps to
guide him on his way. And so he pushed
on and on, through the miry swamp, ir
and out of the deep pdne-woods, over the
brooks, across the sinuous river by fords
known to few, until he came 10 the edge
of fringe of forest, beyond which he
could see a multitude of twinkHng lights
And by these he knew that his enemies
ha hH raNn faRa
He had judged Alright, II seemed. Nc
movement was visible in the hostile camp
and il was evident 10 him that, if an at.
tack were contemplated, some hours must
elapse ere it could be made. But. so far
all was quiet; and slowly, cautiously. as
one who takes his life in his hands, ht
crawled on, keeping wary eye for sen
tinel or picket as he went.
But he saw no one. heard nothing, and
as he moved along a great wonder filled
him. For the fires were burning low, and
none came TO tend them. What was the
meaning of this utter silence. this lack
of Efe? The Indians were not used 10 be
SO careless as 70 sleep ungusrded. Ii was
not their wont to court surprise.
And then he knew-remembered certain
strange. weird sounds in the forest. &c
which in his frenzied excitement he had
paid TO heed; remembered, and IN that
bitter moment recognized their meaning
While ne was absorbed in his own sad
thoughts the Creeks had broken camp
and even now had taken UP their position
in front OF Floyd.
His face sank between his hands as he
crouched there. and a wave of great shame
overwhelmed him So it was for this re-
suit he had turned his back upon his post
Il was for this that he had persssteut.y re-
fused 10 hear the clear-voiced call OF du-
"; Il was for this that he had sacrificed
his honor. lost his right for all time 70
hold up his head n the sight OF brave and
honest men. He had betrayed his trust bu;
10 find mis- journey idle after all For hin
% a,s 50 taken in Was z likely that 2