Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-04-20


Quick " she PAINTED. Don't stop an
instant now. Get away before he comes
60 himself or he'll shoot. Go instantly,
please, Mr. Hunter, or maybe he'll kill
me too. "
IL can't 90 if I've hurt him. / must
help him up, " he began, but she clutch
ed his arm with trembling hands and
whirled him about toward the barracks.
Ono, no; leave everything to me.
Don come here till | tell you. Don't
you speak Of this to soul, unless you
want to kill me He'll never harm me
now unless he secs you still here, but
not a word of it. can keep him quiet
/ Then sho pushed him violently from
her, just as the sergeant, staggering to
his feet, held forth feeble hand as
though seeking support.
And at that moment, up along the
line of barracks, the trumpets began the
spirited music of the tattoo. The doors
of neighboring cottages began TO open
and soldier forms, enveloped in the long
capped overcoats, hastcned forth. Irreso-
lutte, bewildered, hardly knowing what
he did and far from knowing what he
ought to do, Trooper Hunter hurried
from the spot, breasted the slope to the
"bench" on which was spread the gar.
rison proper, and found full two.thirds
of his troop already gathering i'll front
Of their quarters awaiting tie signal to
form ranks-the quick, stirring assem-
bly,.
did you SEQ Doyle? He was looking
for you, Hunter" chirruped little
Patlander You're blowing, man.
Where you running FROM"
But Hunter made no reply Hooking
the collar of his overcoat and buttunng
it throughout, he stepped quietly to the
point where the center Of his troop usu.
ally formed for roll call, for his place in
ranks was close behind u tall corporal
who marked the left of the first platoon.
The first sergeant, silent and solitary,
his swinging lantern in lis hand, stood
a few yards away gazing out across
the dim parade at the bright lights III
the distant quarters of the officers Tho
sOldierly form Of the second lieutenant
could be dimly discerned few wards
beyond the sergeant. To the right and
left, III front Of the other barrack build
ings, big black groups OF men were
gathered and serEeants lights were
cleaning, all awaiting the next signal.
Suddenly it came, quick, ripping, mer.
~. "Fall ill.,, were the huarso words
growled from half dozen soldier
threats. The groups quitkly resolved
themselves into two long columns Of
files that faced to their left the instant
the music ceased and stood motilnlcss
while, wish tho ease and rapidity Of
daily practice, the sergeant called the
roll
The nOnCommisSionedh bead Of tho sor-
rel troop twice repeated one name in IL
questioning, surprised tone, then faced
his lieutenant and reported, Sergeant
Merriweathcr absent. sir. " The officer
acknowledged the salute, said, Dis
miss the troop" and, facing about
found himself confronting the uneXpect-
ed apparatiou Of Captain Ray and heard
in the soft dialect of the Blue Grass his
captain $ words:
send Trooper Hunter to me, SER
geput, directly you dismiss "
And whilo Lieutenant Scott went
away to report the result of roll call to
the adJutant and the sergeant again
faced his company Hunter felt his heart
sink within him. Already Merriwcath-
er, then, had managed to get word 70
his captain, ard the captain was there
to wreak vengeance on him, the luckleSs
offender II violation of the strictest
articles of war he, IIuutcr Gray, had
struck down his superior officer and was
now to suffer the penalty of the law.
You hear Hunter, the captain wants
you. Then Break ranks! March"
wcs the order, and the troop cohesive
aud compact but the moment before,
dissolved at the word and fell to pieces,
leaving the new member standing al
alone. For one moment he remained
there to pull himself tocether then,
ncrved to face the worst, strobe out &c
meet his fate, his heart humping III his
breast.
Hunter" said the captain, did
not understand you to say that you Were
a total stranger west Of the Missouri
and that you had neither friends nor
enemies out here
YES, sir, " was the troopers reply.
his bend st:ll al the cap visor
"Thon how did you come to know
that prisoner III the lot brought In by
the sheriff."
Hunter was silent.
"You admit having seen him before?''
81 do, sir ~
"Where and whcn?'
"Before | Joined the regiment, sir
Uet him with another man at Pawnee. >
Captain Ray was silent moment
He stood scrutlnizing III deep concern
the pale, clear cut face before him.
"When | vouched for you il the ad
jutant's Office the day of your enlist
mcnt, | felt somehow that you We're q
truthful man and not runagate, and
don wish TO he disappointed in you.
don't want to find man with a cloudet
record III my troop. What do you know
about that rObbery?'
Nothing more than everybody else
sir-that it took place and that Blu
here again ne hesitated.
"Well, that what, Hunter" said Cap
tain Ray, noting the soldier significan
pause.
Nothing more, sir. | met one of tn,
prisoners at pawnee in restauran
some few weeks ago | never saw hin
before, and I've never seen him since
except that day"
Raw sto1d calmly et11dviuu hic ma