Omaha daily bee., 1901-01-06

ming sound that stepped the senses like an
opiate. Over the bosom of the waters, in
noiseless flight swooped and circled
brace OF bats, and once in while. an
swering some imperceptible breath OF the
night, the reeds and rushes under the
bridge, the thick foliage in the overhanging
trees stirred with languorous murmur, and
the lone sentry found his eyelids closing
with heaviness. Twice he shook himself
awake, twice he half rose, and, crouching
still, moved noiseessly about In effort to
Danish the perilous temptation. Toward j
o'clock Mr.. Scarcliffe again came creeping
up the narrow pathway from the picket, and
there was a brief muttered conference. II
thought you'd be on later, Holt" whispered
the lieutenant. Just before dawn is the
dangerous hour. That's why we had you on
third relief"
I'm taking Brennans place." was the
answer. Hes played out. II you wish,
I'll stick to it until sunrise. There hasn't
been a sound thus far" And Scarclffe
went back to the reserve and said the foot
bridge was all right anyhow with Holt
there till sun up, whereat Malloy. pacing
nervously up and down in front OF the
wooden church, whirled about and asked
how that could be, and was told.
A little later the senior officer OF the
| guard called up the sergeant of the reserve
| and bade him send two men to camp with
orders to bring out between them Kettle
| of coffee as hot as possible. They were
back in half an hour or so, and Malloy'
after seeing coffee distributed to the walk
ing men of the guard, told the carriers TO
follow him out to the supports and pickets,
where men also drank the comforting cup
and went about their duty refreshed. thank
| Gal tn nfyi uhO a times seemed so
thoughtful. At Connollys picket Brennan
still slept the sleep of weakness and ex-
haustion, so they did not rouse him. But
the corporal and private Darcy were glad
of a steaming mug and nibble OF hard
| tack, and then Connolly bethought him OF
Holt, 100 yards farther out to the front AT
the edge Of the water. 80, certainly said
the lieutenant, "by all means, and to the
other sentries up and down stream"
"They come in now, sir" said the ser
geant. "Only Holt stays-doing double
duty tonight"
"Then carry him a couple OF hardtacR
and give me the biggest lineup you've got
said Malloy. Lead on, corporal
1t was then about quarter to four. Away
out to the south and southwest the night
seemed to be waking up. The distant bark
of watch dogs broke the silence and in The
1
will had again reused and was pouring his
weird plant into the drowsy ear of comint
dawn SO absorbed seemed the sentry II
something at the front that not until the
visitors were close upon him did he mote
and mutter challenge. No "honors" are
rendered on the outer line by night or day
officer, noncommissioned officer and private
sentry crouched together. Heard anything
seen anything" whispered Connolly.
Two screech owls began about ter
minutes ago. They seemed to have pipet
UP very suddenly" was the muttered an
swer. "And twice in ten minutes / have
heard hoof beats across the stream. bu
one can see nothing
"Here's coffee and hard tack the lieu
tenant brought out to the boys" murmureC
Connolly. Drink. 1t'll freshen you up
And eagerly Holt received the big tin cuI
at his hands, as Malloy had passed IT, ant
took a long deep draft
} There Is nothing that so clears and re
: freshes on long night duty as "soldie
coffee" when properly made, 1t sent
( grateful glow all through his tired body
) rendered his senses again keen and alert.
Q 81 think the officer OF the picket shoul
! hear these sounds for himself" said Holt
I as he listened again with straining ear
3 Since the night on the River Queen no
once had word been exchanged between hir
o and the lieutenant commanding. Holt ha
. neither forgotten nor forgiven the harsh
e ness OF the officers language, nor the en-
= nifty which he well knew had prompte
0 II all But patence-patience was th
p word One false step now would place hir
I in Mallow's power. One bar on the shoulde
e strap that would come with his commissio
d would make him Malloy's equal in rank, an
= then would Malloy be made to answe