The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1898-11-23
THE DESERTER WENT
DOWN THE RIVER.
J A STORY OF MILITARY DISCIPLINE.


sloped down to the swift-rolling Mis-
souri, was dotted with trim buildings,
which seemingly won martial appear
ance from their occupants. A chill
was noticeable in the air, though June
reigned and countless mosquitoes
reigned also, lowering in dense swarms
over the willows near the rivers edge
mosquitoes whose spiteful sting was
altogether out of proportion to their
size. Even the stoical Indians from
the eros Nentres village, two miles
north, just over the boundary line in
Montana, were visibly affected by
those ubiquitous pests, and waved
eagles wings before their imperturb-
able, grave faces as they stood upon
the banks, while cargo of military
supplies was being unloaded from a
down river" boat.
Hitler and thither across the parade
ground, figures in blue were moving
slowly-soldiers with the dull, apa-
thetic countenances characteriZing so
many troops upon the western from
tier. But to-day there was Frightening
of faces, a quickening of steps, for the
"down-river" had brought letters from
the states and home.
An unusually generous mail, too.
Several men laughed when they saw
lack Brayton with deeper bronze on
his cheeks and letter in his hand.
He had never been known TO receive
one since the coming of the company
to Fort Buford. He was tall, awk-
ward fellow, one of those shambling
men who suggest some mistake on the
part of nature in choosing material too
hastily. He stood now just opposite
the gymnasium, the letter tlntterlng in
his grasp. the torn envelope crushed in
one strong hand. He had read il over
twice, and was beginning at the first
page again, mumbling it indistinctly:
you and me amt been as much TO
each other as husband and wife oughter
be. If we had. you wouldn't never have
goneaw Ivekept silence long time
waiting foryou to say you cared, but you
don't say that yet; and now it's my
cough and the strange feelings all over
me that make me write. The doctor
saws it won't be long-and there's little
jim and the baby
He stopped suddenly and crumpled
the pitiful scrawl in his brawny fist
and nusbed the back of his hand across
his deep-set eyes.
81 don't know rightly what I'll do,
he began, desperately; and then he
Strengthened up, as a comrade APP
preached, laughing.
Lots of news, Zack?" he queried in
teasing way.
Ten minutes later Jack Brayton
stood more awkwardly than ever, be-
fore the highest authority in the fort.
That officer had received pleasant news
from home. and he unbent his military
dignity to a surprising degree, and was
chatting merrily with several subor-
dinates.
well, nv man." was his remark
when lacks presence was noticed.
The private saluted awkwardly' lie
began to speak in low, hesitating
voice.
"Reooin' YOUR pardon, colonel, brt
I've got word I'd like 10 say-ieas'-
wise, if"
Talk to your captain" interrupted
the officer, recalling his dignity now.
He was tired of hearing complaints and
there had been too many of late.
Not as Id oughter bother you sir;
but the fact is"
well, speak out. What is it?' said
the officer, with some show OF impa-
fence.
"My wife" he began, huskily, she
is sick, and | lowed maybe you had a
wife, colonel, an you'd know how
where is she?'
Back in Missoury."
"And YOU want a furlough? It's i'm
possible. sir. If we needed half the re-
ouests we shouldn't have a soldier left
en- the post. Don't you see, my good
fellow?'
"Yes, sir" replied Zack, simply.
When he was clear of the quarters he
leaned against post as if needing sup
mort of some sort. Yet Zack was a
strong man, certainly.
In this high latitude the sun cheats
YOU out of the evening hours, and sets
at nearly ten o'clock. A detachment
of troops were assisting the steamboat
roustabouts in unloading military sup
niles. At dark fambeaux were fiaring
from the boats guards, by the light of
which they completed their laSors.
Then the bluecoats marched back to
the barracks, preceded by train of
government wagons.
few roustabo huddled upon the
boiler deck, were grumbling unitedly
about some trifie, as Missouri river
rousta bouts have habit of doing. The
night became very dark at last-so dark
that even had one been looking in that
direction he would not have noticed a
man who crept out of the willow bog,
and, stepping cautiously into an Indian
bull boat" at the wharf, drifted of
with the swift current under cover of
friendly shadows.
In a few moments. at best. the man s
absence from the fort would be dis
covered II was one chance in hun
dred, but lack Brayton took his
chance, and fioated down the river. The
lights of the steamer receded in the
darkness; not a sound broke the still
ness save the plash, plash of the pad.
die. Bending forward, straining his
eyes to catch the first glimpse of danger
in whatever form. the current bore him
on.
"Only for her--her and her children"
he muttered, under his breath, while
his eyes grew moist. He wiped them
hastily. as though anyone could per-
,eive his weakness.
On-on! The water undulated great.