The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1900-03-15
CHAPTER I.

and volunteer, were "lincd up' along
the sentry posts and silently, eagerly
watching and waiting. For week
rumor had been rife that orders for a
move were coming, and the brigndes
hailed II with delight. For month
shivering nt night In dripping, drench.
ing fogs drifting In from the Pacific, or
drilling for hours each day on the bleak
slopes OF the Presidio heights. they had
been praying for something TO break
the monotony of the routine. They
were cDvious Of the comrades who had
been shipped 20 Manila, cmulous OF
those who had stormed Santiago. and
would have welcomed with unrcason-
ing enthusiasm any mandate that bore
promise of change Of sccnc--or duty.
The afternoon was raw and chilly; the
wet wind blew salt and strong from the
westward sea, and the mist rolled in,
thick and feecy. hiding from view the
familiar landmarks Of the ncighborhood
and forcing display Of lampiights In
the row of gnudy saloons across the
street that bounded the camp ground
toward the setting sun, though that in
visible luminary was still an hour high
and afternoon drill only just over.
Company after company in their cam
paign hats and flannel shirts, In worn
blue trousers and brown canvas leg.
gings, the men had come swinging In
from the brond driveways of the beau
tiful park to the south and, us they
passed the tents OF the commanding
general, even though they kept their
heads erect and noses 10 the front, their
wary eyes glanced quickly AT the I'M
usual array OF saddled horses, OF car
riages and Concord wagons halted along
the curbstonc, and noted the number
of officers grouped about the gate.
Ponchos and ovcrcrat capcs were much
in evidence on every side as the men
broke ranks, scattered TO their tents
10 stow away their dripping arms and
belts, and then came streaming out To
stare. unrebuked. nt headquarters. il
was still early In the war days, and,
among the volunteers and, indeed
among regiments of the regulars whose
ranks were sprinklcd with college men
who had rubbed shoulders but q few
months earlier with certain subaltcrns.
the military line of demnrcation was n
dead letter when ",hc boys" were ont
Of sight and hearing of their seniors,
J. and so II happened that when young
officer came hurrying down the path
way that led from the tents of the gen
cral to those Of the field officers of the
Tenth California, he was hailed ny more
than one groiip OF regulars along whose
lines he passed, and, MS u rule. the query
took the tersc, soldierly form of whats
up. Billy"
The lieutenant nodded afrably to sew
.eral of his fellows of the football field
but his hand crcpt out from underneath h
the shrouding cape, palm down, sig
mailing caution. "Ordcrs---somc kind
he answered in tones just loud enough
10 be heard by those nearest him. "Sccn
the old man anywhere? The general
wants him." and, never hnlting for re-.
ply, the youngstcr hurried on.
He was n bright, CHEEKY, bravc-cycd
lad OF 20 who six months earlier was
stumbling through the sciences at tho
great university on the heights beyond
the glorious bay, never dreaming oi
dcadlier battle than that In which hi,
pet eleven grapplcd with the striped
team OF riva! college. All OH sud
den, to the amaze OF the elders of TIL,
great republic, the teIcts and tradi
tions OF the past were thrown to th'
winds and the Hermit Nation Icapr'
the seas ana iiew at the stronghoids o
the spanish colonies. Volunteers sprahi
up by the hundred thousand ana re-
inctant congress accorded n Incnge'
addition To the regular army. Many
college athlete joined the ranks. while
limited few, gifted with relatives wh'
had both push ard pull, were per
mittcd to pass not very cNacting cN
animation and join the permanent cs
tablishmcnt ns second licutennnts forth
with. Counting those commissioner
in the regular artillery ard infantry
here must have been dozen In The
ihronging camps back OF the great city
and of these dozen, Billy Gray ---"bcllig
crent BLY," as II tutor dubbed hin
when the war and Billy broke out 10
gciher, the latter to the extent oi I
four-days' absence from nll collegiate
duty--was easily the gem OF the lot
One of the "brighicst minds In Ms
class, he was one of the lazicst; one ol
the quickest and most agile when
aroused, he was one of the torpids a'
a rule. Ono OF the kind who should
have gone in for honors," as tho fac
nlty said, he came nearer going out ioi
devilment. The only son OF II retire
colonel Of the army who had made 'nll'
fornia his home, BILLY Ind spent years
a., .,,,,,,, au.I raII mud saddle and knew