The Irish standard., 1898-03-26

a bright little lamp, its reflector so ar
ranged us to throw the light full upon
the sheet Of music in the rack of his
instrument. 1t was nearly time TO form
the regiment, and though the band was
not to 80. it meant TO play the boys on
to the cars" as he sergeant said. Whit
taker, longing Cor excitement of some
kind. had gone TO Buxton and begged
permission TO turn out his troop, mount
ed, and escort the rifles to the railway,
and I'uX said mo" with cheerful and
customary alacrity. MI the same all
the post was mp and mostly ont of doors,
thronging about the edge of the parade,
when adjutant's call sounded and the
two batiulions came swinging out in
full marching order" campaign hats.
blankets rolled, great coats foldcd, hav-
crsacks, cantcens ard crumlned cart
ridge BELTS" There was but brief cere-
mony. The colonel whipped out his
sword and gave Column Of fours." the
rifles of the first company leaned to the
right shoulder, the band burst forth
into it's livcliest strain. and. taking the
lead, the haton-bca,ing drum major at
its head, away they trampcd for the
southeast gate, and all Fort Sedgwick
seemed to follow. The colonel spurred
his way and iolled out in front of the
band, his adjntant at his heels. The
cadenced step and spirited music were
kept up until the hospital corps at the
rear of column was clear to the gate,
then route step was ordered. and then
by twos and thrccs and little squads
and parties the throng Of escorts came
drifting back, by far the larger portion
veering off to the right aud taking the
pathway toward the barracks, while q
long string Of women and children, with
n few attendant officials. kept Tie direct
road, nearly westward, that ran in
front of the main line of officers quar-
ters. Over at the guardhousc the little
handful of armed soldiers had stood
watching from affair the formal ION and
departure of the regiment, and now,
spreading their blankets, were settling
themselves for n brief nap before re-
lieving the scntries now slowly tramp
ing their posts, and Merriam, after one
long look at tho distant row, vainly
seeking for the bright light that used to
burn in her parlor window on previous
nights when he was on guard. turned
into the Office of the gua.dhouse with
heavy heart and n weary sigh, and sat
himself down TO look over the list OF
prisoners and the half finished report.
The midnight call of the scntrics had
started as the riflers marched away. but,
between the music and the cheers.
seemed to get no further than the post Of
No. 2. and Corporal Mohoncy had gone
to see if three and four were all right.
Silence was gradually settling down
upon the moonlit garrison, although
voices of women and children came
floating family across the dim parade,
end out under the spectral white flag
staff tiny sparks as OF cigars could be
seen. and low, grutf voices were heard
IN consultation. a moment o. two more
and the sentry on No. l was hidden to
done 60, ard Merriam was straining his
ears for the answering cry of lie outly-
ing posts, than second time the sentry
let loose his voice and challenged sharp
ly: "Who comes there?"
Commanding officer and friends"
was the answer in Buxton's growl.
Halt! Corpril the Guard-command-
ing officer and friends" answered No 1.
and Merriam sprang to his feet, while
the corporal went bounding out to ex-
nminc and receive the party.
II want the officer of the guard" said
Buxton. impatient of etiquette or for
1na!ity as he l,ulged ahead. "Oh, Mr..
Merriam. there must be at least hum
dred of our men gone tagging along
with the 'sloughhoys' in hopes of a
round of drinks at the Junction, proba-
bly,. 1 want a mounted patrol to go in
ut once and head EN- all back, otherwise
some Of them will be carried away on
the train, sure as shooting. Just give
your stable sentry orders to let a dozen
horses out. I'll serd Mr.. Whitaker in
command; he wanted to turn out and go
ns escort. Lots Of your men are in there,
] suppose, Capt. Grafton" heconcluded.
us he turned to the silent officer at bis
side.
Half dozen, possibly, sir, though
doubt it. DO you wish horses and men
from my troop? II not, sir. III retire."
Eyes, sir, do. want three men and
horses from each troop-good men, too.
If send a squad from just one troop,
those rnnaga:es will be down on just
that one company and Well be in hot
water for whole year"
Grafton SILENTLY touched his cap and.
turned away. Far off to the southeast
there was the sound Of cheering, and the
band had struck up some rollcking
quiclistep, whereat old Bux gritted his
teeth and swore anew. damn those in
fernal idiots! DO you know what'll be
the result of this? The regiment will
get away on the train. and then that
band instead of coming back will go to
Miguel's saloon, and there they'll start
q baile and have that whole grcaser
population in there drinking mescal
and 'guardente. and ripping and fight
ing until cverybody's beastly drunk. 1
won't have it., sir!" and he glarcd atthe
officer of the guard MS though he con-
sidered shat silent official a coconspira-
tor. II won't have it, say. ! wish Mr..
Whitaker to start at once and round
up the whole gang"
And with that he strodc portentously
away in the direction of headquarters,
the orderly following with grin. Cor
poral Mahoney came in from his round.
reporting three and four all right and
everything secure.
"Rut there's one thing. sir: No. 2
cnn't leC;n IN Goa il,a Iop,,@b n & + &c ,,oe+