New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-26
Tt f SERGEANT'S HARD LUCK
A TALE OF THE CANADIAN PRAIRIEs.

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was horses this time; and when horses follow a
man eff without rhyme reason. there is often
shooting from side the other.
And the owner Of the horses that had gone
off with Bulldog" Carney lay in hospital in
Fort Mcleod with plug of lead in his lung.
He was "rustler" himself and the general
opinion was that Carney had only stolen from a
thief.
But the plug Of ead-that was a different
matter. A man has got to be pretty tough be-
fore the shooting of him counts for nothing.
SO Sergeant Hetherngton ard Constable Will
Jams were sent out. with three days rations to
look Carney up in one direction, while a couple
Of other constables took the trail in another
Much riding and the viewing OF much open
plain were the result Of the first days campaign.
on the second day they rode again. but the
plain was not quite so open. There were sew
eral lakes and various other Interruptions Of the
vista.
What's the sense of this?' said Hetherington
to the other constable. you might as well look
for needle in a naystack or a prayer book in
barracks as look for Carney in this God -forsaken
hole. Well never get sight OF him"
SO they camped where they were beside a
small lake, and smoked the pipe OF peace, and
ate their rations. and cursed the Government
that had cut their pay down to 80 cents a day:
ho"beit the sergeant W IS getting more than that
now since his promotion But that was regula-
ton form-the routine: and SO they smoked long
and swore hard, and denounced the service any
way as being no good to man, for IT made him
lazy and unified him for anything else And
1t was a wild-gOose chase and Carney was q
hundred miles away. and they were Il pair Of
fools great as the man who had sent them
out
And with the gray regulation blankets pulled
over their heads. and their feet warm against
the blaze Of the srnouldcring campfire they
slept slept the prairie sleep which Is long and
deep and strong and as unlike the other as "A
strong growing bush Is unlike a dollhouse plant
Slept among tho wild roses. and great yellow
III irguertcs, and the little wondering sunnowcrs
slept on the dry. crisp grass. that was as a
gentle spring mattress.
And as they slept came and looked at
them. and pulled at his blonde mustache a little
refcctively. and then stepped back into the night
az lin, and all was STILL only the munching and
occasional stamp Of horses hoOf over TO one
side, where the horses were pickctcd. and the
little sneezing blow OF the nose OF the feeding
animals they cleared the dust out Of their
nostrils
There were ducks flying over all last night"
said the sergeant, as nc pulled on his long boots.
They're nesting here in these lakes. and I'm
going to have look for eggs"
Soon a voice came up from the reeds and cat
tails growing in the edge Of the lake to the
constable, az he busted himself at the morning
fire:
Come down here Williams. They're slathcrs
Of eggs here
The ducks there were as other ducks: they
pulled down the lancclike blades OF grass and
plated them into nests just out In the water
a plece-that was Dame Natures Insurance
scheme; but she hadn't rcckoncd with the ser
geant and his merry constable. The long boots
and the gray socks and the brown trousers were
of in fifty, and with shirts tucked up under
their the two warriors were soon filling
their helmets with duck eggs
"Ive got me hat full" said the sergeant
IAN here's a nest with thirteen eggs in It,
Whatll / do"
Better leave it alone" said the constable
"Thirteen's unlucky number"
but want the eggs" pleaded the sergeant
ITS unlucky to go timed beef when you
can get fresh eggs; besides. me luck couldn't
change for the worse. any way" he added as he
thought Of what the exile life in that lone land
meant.
"Well, then" said the constable. IF you don't |
mind the bad luck wrap them in your shirt, and
I Will hold your chapeau." and he wadcd over |
to the other and held the helmet.
"Ih q quare- lookin bird now" sad the ser |
geant az he peeled the gray flannel shirt over |
his head, Like stripping an otter and proceeded