Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-11-15

great, albeit foreign, university.
; He had education, intelligence, and
assured social position to back the
training and discipline of the soldier.
He knew his rights as well as his
duties, and that every officer in the
service, no matter how high, from
commanding general down, was by
regulation enjoined to show respect
to sentries, and this tall, handsome
young swell, with a name that sound
| ed utterly unfamiliar to California
ears, was in most unaccountable hur-
ry. and spoke as though he, the SEN
try, were exceeding his powers in de-
handing his name. It put Private
Thinking Bayonets on his mettle.
"Halt, sir!" said he. my orders
are imperative. You'll have to spell
that name"
In the nervous anxiety to which
Stuyvesant was a prey, the sentry's
manner irritated him. It smacked at
first of undue, unnecessary authority,
yet the soldier in him put the I'M
worthy thought to shame, and, strug-
Cling against his Impotence, vet
most unwillingly, Stuyvesant obedi-
emily turned. He had shouldered a
muslet in a splendid regiment of
citizen soldiery whose pride it was
that no regular army inspector could
pick flaws in their performance of
guard and sentry duty. He had
brought to the point of his bayonet,
time and again, officers far higher in
rank than that which he now held.
He knew that, whether necessary or
not. the sentry's demand was within
hio RIGHTS and there was M oO,,rso
for him but compliance. He fastened
back, and, controlling his voice as
much as possible. began:
You're right, sentryi S-t-u-y''-
| when through a gateway across the
street north of the Faura came
swinging into sight little squad of
armed men.
Again the sentry's challenge, sharp,
clear, resonant, rang on the still
night air. Three soldiers halted in
their tracks, the fourth, with the
white chevrons of a corporal on his
sleeves, came bounding across the
street without waiting for demand
to advance for recognition.
"Same old patrol, Billy" he called,
as he neared them. ION the way back
to the guard-house." Then, seeing
the straps on the officers shoulders.
respectfully saluted. Couldn't find
any trace outside. Keep sharp look
out, No. g." he added, and turning
hurriedly. back to his patrol. started
with them up the street in the direc-
ton Stuyvesant was longing to go.
"Sorry to detain you, sir, and beg
pardon for letting him run up on us
in that way. We've got extra orders
tonight. There's a queer set, mostly
natives, in that second house yon-
der (and he pointed to a substantial
two-story building about 80, PAGES
from the corner). They got in there
while the fire excitement was on.
Twice I've seen them peelSing out
from that door. That's why / dare
not leave here and chase after you
after the lieutenant. Now, may I
have the name again, sir?''
And at last, without interruption,
Stuyvesant spelled and pronounced
the revered old Dutch patronymic.
At last he was able to go unhindered,
and now, overcome by anxiety, eager
| ness and dread, he hardly knew what.
he broke into feet-footed, rapid run,
much to the surprise of the staid pa
troll which he overlook trudging
along on the opposite side of the
| street, two blocks away, and never
halted until again brought up stand
| ing by sentry at the San Luis.
Ten minutes later, while still lis
tening to Brent's oft-repeated tale
of the theft, and still quivering a lit
| tie from excitement, Stuyvesant
heard another sound, the rapid
rhythmic beat Of dancing footsteps.
"Hullot" interrupted one of the
lingering officers. Another fire COM
pany coming? It's about time more
| began to arrive, isn't it?'
| Its a patrol-and on the jump,
too! What's up, I wonder2" an
| swered Brent, spinning about to face
towards the Gale Real. There was
an officer with this patrol-an officer
| who in his eagerness could barely
abide the sentry's challenge.
"Officer of the guard-with patrol"
he cried, adding instantly, as he
darted into view: "Sentry, which
which way did that officer go? Tall
young officer-in white uniformi"
In surprise the sentry nodded to-
wards the speeches. group standing
in front of Brent's, and to them came
the boy lieutenant, painting and in
manifest excitement. 81 beg par
don, colonel" he began. "our sentry,
No. 6, was found minute ago-shot
dead-down on the Padre Faura. Ny
men said they saw an officer running
from the SPOT, running this way, and
this gentleman-Mr. Stuyvesant,
1 isn't it?"
There was an awkward silence, an
awkward pause. 81 certainly was
there not long ago." spoke Stuy-
vesant. "And No. 6, your sentry,
was then all right. certainly came