The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1897-09-10

him the empty chevrons, and gave
Burns abundant cause for another out
break of blasphemy. There might have
been some way of licking Private Gun
bingham into shape, but there was none
whatever of reforming Corporal Gun
ningham- He was not all bad, however,
| for by evening he began to realize the
extraordinary solecism of which he had
been guilty in the morning; so he was
actually ashamed to go near the leu
tenant. and never even repeated his mes
sage to Burns until nine o'clock had
come and the captain hadn't. Then
Burns went over to the lientenant's
tent, where the youth sat wrapped in
his overcoat, trying gloomily and W It'll
stiffened fingers to write sor.e letters
by the light of single candle.
II suppose, sir, the captain meant TO
ride the mule back himself. He could
have got to Potts place before six and
back here by eight, easy. Tisn't likely
they'd ask him to stay to supper. I'm
only afraid of his gettin' into row.
and him all alone"
Il wish he could have been content to
send for the mule instead of going" said
Lambert. ANY of the men could have
gone, suppose
well, sir, the trouble is that he'd
have had to send the men on lnuleback.
or else pay their fares over on the cars.
The captain has pass. and it doesn't
cost him anything; and he's afraid to
let the mule be gone over night. It's
mighty easy losin' EN- among all these
niggers, and they might charge it up
against the captains pay. The captain
las stuck close to camp so far as these
night posses have been concerned. but
he'd hunt the whole state for a cost
blanket or bayonet. And he always
goes alone-and gets what he's after,
and he's had no trouble worth mention
in: but that fellow Potts was impudent
TO him to-day. and he was slow bout
seem it at first; now. though. he's got
his mad up and gone over there to get
the mule and satisfaction both; that's
what I'm afraid of, sir. He dashed
Parmeleee to-day for bein' 4 coward,
and-beggin' your pardon, lieutenant
though the captain amt much on mil
itary. he fires up like a flash at anything
like insult to the flag"
DO you think it advisable to send
after the captain?" asked Lambert,
after 4 moments reflection.
There's no way we can send. sir,
'cept afoot or behind a four-mule team
in an army wagon. We only had that
one saddle mule
Lambert stepped to the tent door and
looked out. The sky was overcast and
l. 10, IL Il -,
and whirling the sparks from the cook
fire over by the road. and from the pipes
of the men sitting smoking and chatting
in little groups about camp. Some had
come to him at nightfall and sought
permission to go in to the village, and
he had felt obliged to refuse. After the
events of the day it seemed wisest to
hold them at camp. and he had so in
formed Sergt. Burns. AS he stood there
now looking uneasily about. first at
the dark threatening sky. then at the
darker shadows about camp. Lambert
thought he caught sight of three or
four forms. vague and indistinct, hurry
ing along the bank beyond the fire.
"Who are those men," he asked.
81 don't know, sir. | warned the COM
pany to remain in camp. I'll see" And
Burns turned quickly and made run
for the opposite end of the company
grounds. Some of the men started up
and stood gazing eXpectantly after him,
and the chat and laughter suddenly
ceased. The shadowy forms had dis
appeared; so, by this time. had Burns.
Then there came the sound of his power
full voice. out by the road:
Halt there, you men. Come back
here.'
Then followed rush and scramble
in the bushes. and the sound of foot
falls. rapid and light, dying away in the
darkness Then some low laughter and
comment among the men. Then Burns
came back. and, without waiting to re-
port. sternly ordered: Fall in"
Knocking the ashes out of their pipes
and buttoning their overcoats-a thing
they might have overlooked before the
lesson of the day-the soldiers slowly
obeyed the unusual summons. Burns
got his lantern and quickly called the
roll. Four men failed to respond. Leav-
ing the company still in line, the SER
geant FASTENED to the tents for the
absentees. Two of the number were
found placidly sleeping. Twowere away
entirely-Privates Riggs and Murphy.
IF I'm not mistaken | saw three
shadows" said Lambert, as the sergeant
made his report. What would the cap
tain do if he were here ?-scnd a patrol?"
THE captain never had n night roll
call, sir; but he wouldn't send patrol.
That's only good way of not lletchin'
men, unless they're too drunk to run.
1t wouldn't be of much consequence,
only for that man Riggs bein' one of
'em. He's a troublesome case. If the
lieutenant approves of it, I'll sent Sergt.
Watts and a couple of good men without
arms. They can find whoever's out.
What l don't like about it is that some
body jumped the fence into the Walton
place"
The old homestead across the road"
Yes. sir. There's been some trouble
between the captain and the Walton
family. He ordered the men never to
enter the Enclosure on any pretext, the
old lady made such a row bout it,
WHO lives there? Surely they ought
to welcome our sending responsible men
over to drive off our renegades''
We'll, | don't know bout that. SIR"
said the sergeant, with a nervous laugh.
IF there's anybody on earth the cap