The Florence daily tribune., 1899-08-21
THE DESERTER WENT
DOWN THE RIVER.
THE starry emblem of freedom float
A STORY or MILITARY DISCIPLINE.


swayed gracefully in the afternoon
breeze. The small eNpanse of turf that
sloped down 20 the swift-rollng 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 THEN
size. Even the stoical Indians from
the Gros Ventres village, two miles
north. iust 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 n cargo of military
supplies wns being unloaded from
down river" boat.
Hther and thither. across the parade
ground. figures in blue were moving
slowly-soldiers with the dull apa-
thetic counteuances chHracterizing so
many troops upon the western from
tier. But to-day there was Frightening
of faces, quickeniug 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 a deeper bronze ON
his checks and letter i'll his hand.
He had never been known 10 receive
one since the coming of the company
60 Fort Buford He was tail. awk'
ward fellow. one of those shamblin9
men who suggest some mistake ON the
part of nature in choosing material too
hastily. He stood now just opposite
the gymnasium. the letter fluttering in
his grasp, the torn envelope crushed Ill
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
goneaway. I've kept silence long time.
waiting for you 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
says it won't be long--and there's ilttie
| 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, ZaekP" he queried in
a teasing way.
Ten minutes later Zack Brayton
stood more awlSwardly 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 n surprising degree. and was
chatting merrily with several subor-
Iinates.
"Wen. 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. but
I've got a word I'd like to say-least-
wise, ir-''
"ra,< to your captain" interrupted
the Ger, 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;
| out the fact is"
We'll. speak out. What is it?' said
| the officer with some show of impa-
ience.
My wife" he began, husl<ily, she
is sick. and | flowed maybe you had n
wife. colonel. an you'd know how
Where is she?'
Back in Missoury."
And you want a furlough? Its i'm
possible. sir, If we needed half the re-
| quests we shouldn't have a soldier left
On the post. Don; you see. my good
fellow?"
Yes, SIR" replied Zack, simply.
! When he was clear of the quarters he
leaned against IA post as if needing sup
port of some sort. Yet Zack was a
| strong tIan. certainly.
In tins high latitude the sun cheats
you out of the evening hours, and sets
at nearly ten o'clock. detachment
of troops were assisting the steamboat
-oustabouts in unloading military sup
! plies. At dark tlambeaux were tiaring
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.
! y few roustabouts. huddled upon the
boiler deck, We're grumbling uniiedly
about some triie, as Missouri river
roustabouts have habit oil doing. The
| night became very dark at last--so dark
hat even had one been looking in that
| direction he would not have notice ed
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 few moments, at best, the mans
absence from the fort would he dis
covered. 1t was one chance in hum
dred, but Zack Brayton took his