The Irish standard., 1898-03-26

east, and little ,orchlight procession
was forming al the band barracks. MS
Merriam rccrosscd the parade. Each
musician wore attached to his headgear
bright little lamp, its reflector SO ar
ranged MS 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 go, it meant to play the boys on
to the cars" as the sergeant said. Whit
taker. longing FOR 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 HuX said mo" with cheerful and
customary alacrity. Nj the same all
the post was up and mostly ont of doors,
thronging about the edge of the parade,
when adjutant's call sounded and the
two battalions came swinging out in
full marching order" campaign hats,
blankets rolled, great coats folded, hav-
crsacks, canteens ard crummed 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 its 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 iolted out in front of the
band, his adintant at his heels. The
cadenced step and spirited music were
kept up until the hcspita! corps at the
rear of column was clear to the gate,
then route step was ordered, and then
by twos and thrces and little squads
and parties the throny Of escorts came
drifting back, by far lie larger portion
veering OFF to the right aud taking the
pathway toward the barracks while
long string Of women and children, with
few attendant officials, kept tie direct
road, nearly westward, that ran in
front of the main line of officers quar-
tcrs. Over at the g,,ardhousc the little
handful of armed soldiers had stood
watching from afar the formation and
departure of the regiment. and now,
spreading their blankets, were settling
themselves for n brief nap before re-
lieving the sentries now slowly tramp
ing their posts, ard Merriam, after one
long look at tho distant row, vainly
seeking for the brightlight that nsed to
burn in her parlor window on previous
nights when he was on guard. turned
into the Office of the guardhousc with
heavy heart and weary sigh, and sat
himself down TO look over the list of
prisoners and the half finished report.
81, ;.,I, !
started US the riflers marched away. but,
between the music and the cheers,
seemed 10 get no further than the post Of
No. 2, and Corporal Mnhoncy 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,
and out under the spectral White flag
staff tiny sparks as of cigars could be
seen. and low, gruff voices were heard
IN consultation. a moment o. two more
and the sentry On No. was hidden to
cali off half-past 12, and barely had he
done go, and Merriam was straining his
ears for the answering cry Of the outly-
ing posts. than second time the sentry
let loose his voice and challenged sharp
ly: "Who comes therc?"
"Comnanding officer and friends"
was the answer in Bnxton's grow"l.
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-
nmine and receive the party.
<},o of &,o --,,,,..l 4
Buxton. impatient of etiquette or for
,na!ity as he bulged ahead. "Oh, Mr..
Merriam. there must be at least hum
dred Of our men gone tagging along
with the 'sloughboys' in hopes of
round of drinks at the Junction, proba-
bly,. want a mounted patrol to go in
Mt 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 dozen
horses out. I'll serd Mr.. Whitaker in
command; he wanted to turn out and go
Gs escort. Lots of your men are in there,
] suppose, Capt. Grafton" heconcluded.
us he turned to the silent officer at bis
side.
"l1alf dozen, possibly, sir, though l
doubt it. DO you wish horses and men
from my troop? II not, sir. I'll retire."
"Yes, sir, do. want three men and
horses from each troop-good men, too.
If send squad from just one troop,
those runaga: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 rcllicking
quickstep, 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
Mig'uels saloon, and there they'll start
baie and have that whole grcaser
population in there drinking mescal
and 'gnardiente, and ripping and fight
ing until everybody's benstly drunk. 1
won't have it., sir!" and he glarcd attbe
officer of the guard as though he con-
sidered that silent official 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 strobe portentously
away in the direction of headquarters,
the orderly following with a grin. Cor