The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1899-06-13
THE DESERTER WENT
DOWN THE RIVER.
THE starry emblem Of freedom float
A STORY OF MILITARY DISCIPLINE.

slOped down to the sWlft-rOlllng 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 counties 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 Ventres 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 a 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-scldiers with the dull, apa-
thetic countenances characterizing so
many troops upon the western from
tier. But to-day there was Frightening
of faces, quickening of steps, for the
''down-river" had brought letters from
the states and home.
An unusually generous mall too.
Several men laughed when they saw
Jack Brayton with deeper bronze on
his checks and letter in his hand.
He had never been known 10 receive
one since the coming of the company
to Fort Buford. he was a tall, awk-
ward fellow, one of those stumbling
men who suggest some mistake on the
part of nature in choosing material too
hastily. He stood now just opposite
the gymnasium, the letter futtering in
his grasp, the torn envelope crushed in
one strong hand. He had read ii 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
gone away. I've kept silence long time,
waiting fer yoatosay you cared, butyou
don't say that yeti ard now it's my
cough and1he strange feelings all over
ne that make ne write. The doctor
saws il won't be = g-and there's little
Jim and the baby"
lie stopped Suddenly and crumpled
/ the pitiful scrawl in his brawny fist
and pushed the back of his hand across
his deep-set eyes.
Il don't know rightly what I'll do"
he began. desperately; and then he
Strengthened up, as comrade APP
preached. laughing.
Lots of news, Zack?" he queried in
a teasing way.
Ten minutes later Zack Brayton
stood more awl-wardly 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 surprising degree, and was
chatting merrily with several subor-
dinates.
swell, my man." was his remark,
when lacks presence was noticed.
The private saluted awkwardly. He
began to speak in low, hesitating
voice.
"Beggin' your pardon, colonel, bnt
I've got word I'd like to say-least-
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 I'd oughter bother you. sir;
but the fact is"
well, speak out. What is it?" said
The officer, with some show Of impa.
tience.
'.My wife" he began huslIily, "she
is sick, and | lowed maybe you had a
wife. colonel, an you'd know how
"Whcre is she?'
Back in Missoury."
"Aad you want a furlough? It's i'm
possible, sir. If we needed half the re
quests we shouldn't have a soldier LEFT
on the post. Don't you see, my good
fellow?"
: "Yes. sir" replied lack. simply.
When he was clear of the quarters he
leaned against post as if needing sup
port of some sort. Yet lack was {
strong man, certainly.
In this high latitude the, sun cheat:
you out OF the evening hours, and set:
at nearly ten o'clock. A detachment
of troops were assisting the steamboat
IOuStduct'S III uiliOuutlS Aillitcif sup
plies. At dark fiambeauX were iarins
from the boats guards, by the light o
which they completed their laoors
Then the bluecoats marched back tC
the barracks, preceded by a train o.
government wagons.
a few roustabouts, huddled upon th'
boiler deck, were grumbling unitedl,
about some trifie, as Missouri rive
roustabouts have habit of doing. Tn,
night became very dark at last-so darl
that even had one been looking in tina
, direction he would not have noticed
man who crcpt out of the willow bog
and, stepping cautiously into an Indian
"bull-boat" at the wharf. drifted of
with the swift current under cover 0
friendly shadows.
In few moments. at best, the man
absence from the fort would be dis
, covered. 1t was one chance in hun
dred, but Jack Brayton took hi
. chance, and fioated down the river. TIL
). lights of the steamer receded in III
darkness; not a sound broke the still
ness save the plash. plash of the pad
II E., ,,,., !, i,