The Florence daily tribune., 1899-09-01
THE DESERTER WENT
DOWN THE RIVER.
THE starry emblem of freedom float
STORY OF MILITARY DISCIPLINE

swayed gracefully in the afternoon
breeze. The small expanse of turf that
sIoped down to the swift-rolling Mis-
souri, was dotted with trim buildings.
which seemingly won martial appear
ance from their occupants. chill
was noticeable in the air though June
reigned and countlt 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 Gros 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
down river" boat.
Hither 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
Zack Brayton with deeper bronze on
his cheeks and a letter in his hand
He had never been known 10 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 tiuttering III
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. II we had. you wouldn't never have
gone away I've kept silence long time.
waiting foryou to say you cared, butyou
don't say that yet; and now it's my
cough and the strange feelings all over
me that make me write. The doctor
says 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 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 ap-
preached, laughing.
Lots of news, Zack?' he queried in
teasing way.
Ten minutes later Zack Brayton
stood more awkwardly than ever, be-
fore the highest authority in the fort
That officer had received pleasant news
from home, and he unbeni his military
dignity to n surprising degree, 2nd was
chatting merrily with several subor-
linates.
"Well. my man." was his remark,
when Zack's presence was noticed
The private saluted awkwardiy. lie
began to speak in low, hesitating
voice.
'.Beggin' your pardon, colonel, but
I've got word Id like to say-least-
wise, If"
Talk to your captain" interrupted
the o..cer, 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;
out the fact is
well, speak out What is it?" said
the officer, with some show of impa-
ience
My wife" he began, huslily, ''she
is sick. and lowed maybe you had
wife, colonel, an you'd know how
"Where is she?"
Back in Missoury"
"And you want furlough? It's i'm
possible, sir. If we needed half the re
quests we shouldn't have soldier left
on 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
port of some sort Yet Zaek 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
-oustabouts in unloading military sup
plies. At dark flambeaux were fiaring
from the boats guards, by the light of
which they completed their labors.
Then the bluecoats marched back to
the barracks, preceded by train of
government wagons.
a few roustabouts, huddled upon the
boiler deck, We're grumbling unitedly
about some trihe, as Missouri river
roustabouts have habit OF doing. The
night became very dark at last-so dark
hat even had one been looking in that
direction he would not have noticed
man who crept out OF the willow bog.
and, stepping cautiously into an Indian
"bull-boat" at the wharf, drifted off
with the swift current under cover of
friendly shadows.
In a few moments, at best, the mans
absence from the fort would be dis
covered. 1t was one chance in hun
dred but Zack Brayton took his
chance and Hontad dawn fba r;yar Tho