The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1901-07-26
THE MOSS TROOPERS.
How a Body of Canadian
Troops Unintentionally
Invaded the United States
BY PERCIE w. HART.
Copyright, 1900, by Errin |Ydrdmdn.


9s-3.-5-.4-.4-.-:-.-aS SS.9..-a-.
Not far from a certain point on the
long boundary line which divides the
territories of American Jonathan from
those Of British John is fair Cana
dian town which contributes squad
ron Of cavalry to that small but re-
markably efficient little protective
army known as the active militia. The
major commanding this squadron Is
a fine fellow, take him by and large,
but he has one small fault. He Is q
little set in his ways" and little"
used in this connection is merely a
qualification suggested by courtesy,
for when he makes up his mind you
could not convince him that he is not
right with anything less than a Maxim
at close range.
A few months ago the major com-
manding completed the cavalry school
course necessary for the confirmation
Of his provisional commission and re-
turned home with brain pan brmming
with military enthusiasm. OF course
the squadron enjoyed the benefit of his
new ideas.
After various minor innovations
came deluge Nothing would satisfy
him but that the light dragons must
take a practice raid instead of camp
ing at the town race course and enjoy
ing dress parades, sham fights and
flirtatious with the young women Wis
itOrs like any volunteer corps. In spite
of semimutiny, which was not entire
ly confined to the rank and file, he car
ricd his point and proudly read off the
department of militias permission"
to his assembled troopers.
The whole town turned out to wilt
ness the start and cheered them nobly.
Even old John Cribs, who can show
service medals for half dozen regular
army campaigns in foreign lands. de-
clared that it Cooked like the real
thing this time, sure enough" Every
scarlet coated trooper, in addition to
usual equipment, had a bag Of oats,
three days food rations for himself.
blankets and extra kit strapped to his
saddle. There were camp kettles, cof-
feepots, frying pans and what not. The
small. boys ran alongside Of the de-
parting cavalcade and screamed with
glee. The general crowd voiced noisy
wishes for the success Of the outing.
The troopers felt the martial blood
stirring. All was Joy and happiness,
excepting perhaps among the well
laden horses. But that Is detail.
Amid noisy jingle of accouterments,
applause from the onlookers and much
raising of dust from the clumping
hoofs away went the Light Dragons.
So long as they kept to the highways
all was conventionally well, but Of
course the major commanding did not
feel satisfied with this. He was out
for the most realistic imitation possi-
BILE of a wartime cavalry raid. And
so on the morning Of the second day,
while the men were sleeply and re-
luctantly making ready to abandon
their bivouac, he called his officers
around him and laid down the law.
'Let us suppose that we are ordered
to cut the enemy's line Of communica-
tion at Blankville," explained the ma
jor commanding, at the same time
pointing to the typographical map
spread out at his feet.
bang up luea! splendid! ron non-
or" chirped junior lieutenant who
was known to receive square envelopes
bearing the postmark of the place.
"All the main roads are strongly pa
trolled," went on the major command
ing impressvely, "and 1t will be nec-
essary to make cross country trip.
Here's where we are now," pointing to
the map, "and here Is Blankville. It's
fine chance for us to get in our rough
riding"
81 should imagine so," remarked the
veterinary lieutenant grimly. "All vir-
gin country apparently. No settlers,
but plenty Of stiff hills, thick woods
and broad swamps. If the horses can
stand II, I'm sure ] don't care"
"But how In the mischief will we
find our wayT asked the senior cap
tain, who was OF practical turn of
mind. Don't believe any Of US know
much about that section"
Here's the map, and I'll plot our
route by compass" declared the major
commanding sternly, producing the lat
ter article from his dispatch box. TITS
one OF the last things We took up At