Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-07-10

ulOOt, lne1r} CAUTIOUS captain IOrDaue
any man to push foot ahead until lie
could again communicate by wire with
department headquarters.
What did tell you?" growled the
veteran Indian fighter, now taking his
first turn Of any consequence against
the mob. you've heard the old say
ing, AN army of sheep led by lion
can whip an army of lions led by a
sheep and that's what's side tracked
now Mt Gunnison."
And at the very moment that Nathan
was holding back there, alarmed and
lrresolute, with 100 fighting men ready
for any duty and chatting ut their COM
mander's inaction, another troop train
came steaming into the station. Two
alert clear eyed, sturdy men in civilian
dress sprang from the engine cab, and
at sight of the foremost the men who
had so easily daunted the commanding
officer of the first train seemed to stink
away. He dived into the telegraph Of
flee, spent a few minutes in sending
and receiving dispatches, and in that
few minutes the platform swarmed
with a laughing, shouting, showing, al
together hilarious crowd Of young fell
lows in loose, Tapping blue blouses and
greatcoats, eagerly seeking something
anything to eat or drink. Aboard
the first train, far up ahead, was grim
silence. Not a soldier showed himself
outside the cars. Orders were orders.
Around this second train 1t seemed as
though. officers and men in n bunch,
the battalion of militia had turned out
Tor a frolic. 1t didn't last long. A
grizzled, sharp featured little man in a
majors uniform swung off the rear-
most car and came up the track three
ties to the stride, his eyes swapping. So
were his words when he got to the plat
form. He wasted none till within hail.
captain Clark, get your men aboard
your car instantly. Captain Geisenhei-
mer, this is the second time I've spoken
to you. Go to the rear car in arrest!
Lieutenant AIeinecke, take command
of the company and the company to
the car. told you supper would be
ready for all hands at o'clock. It's
only 4. Back to the train, every moth
er's son of you! Back!" And, some
what crestfallen, somewhat awed and
abashed, yet realizing that the little
major meant business" back they
went, still keeping up the semblance
of popularity by horseplay and racing.
Then out came the first Of the newly
arrived civilians, followed by the youn-
ger, silent man.
All serene for ten miles anyhow,
major, but you might put four of your
best men on the pilot and tender. We
will be there too. All right, Mac! he
sang out to the engineer. eve push
ahead as soon us we get this gang
aboard. Look at the regulars train up
the track. They're not struggling all
over creation!"
mo, and they amt gittin ahead any
too fast either" snickered the station
agent. Its taken 'em two hours to
come 20 miles, and now the caps wait
in for orders.s
@Then, by CAD, that gives us the
right of way and the lead" was the
gleeful answer. eve go on at once.
How's that for high, major? Better
come forward to the baggage car"
Then pandemonium broke loose on
the rear troop train. The words went
from car to car like wildfire that the
regulars were side tracked ahead, and
"the boys" as they called themselves,
would have the lead. From every door
and window one head at least and
sometimes two protruded as the engine
gathered way and presently rolled past
the heavier but shorter train ut the
water tank. A chorus of yells of re-
Joicing, chaff and fun arose from the
throats Of 300 lively young westerners
on their first campaign. Silent, somber
faces looked out ut them from the 9TH
err windows, though occasionally some
light hearted Irishman would fling
back laughing answer. Three officers
stood on the rear platform of the regu-
lar train intently eying the oncom-
Ing engine. The guardsmen on the nj
lot We're hanging to their rifles with
one hand and the rail with the other.
The tender seemed bristllng with blue
coats. The keen, bright eyed face of
the railway official was peering forth
from the fireman's side Of the cab, and
he waved his hand to the trio. None
knew him, but all looked and saw,
peering over his shoulder, another face.
1t was only an instant's glimpse, but a
dash of recognition leaped Into the
ward from the step and gazed after
them as they rushed by, regardless Of
the jocular halls of the crowd in the
cars, then, as the engine was shut from
view, drew back on the platform once
more.
Whom did l sect" he repeated in re-
ply to question asked by Mr.. Tor
rance. eric Langdon or his ghostp