Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-11-29

went off by himself, and warned him
to keep a lookout or he'd be held up
and robbed some night.
The only thing of any Importance
they had to tell was that one day,
just before his misfortune, Benton
was on guard and posted as sentry
over the big Krupps in the Spanish
battery at the west end of the Gale
San Luis. Clarke and Hunter had a
kodak between them and a consum-
ing desire to photograph those guns.
The sentries previously posted there
refused to let them come upon the
parapet-said it was "'gainst Or
ders." Benton said that unless posi-
tive orders were given to him to that
effect, he would not interfere. So
they got pass on the same day and
Benton easily got that post-men
didn't usually want it, it was such
a bother-but, unluclily, with the
post Benton got the very orders they
dreaded. So when they would have
made the attempt he had to say no.
They came away crestfallen, and
stumbled on two sailor-looking men
who, from the shelter of heavy
stone revetment wall, were peering
with odd excitement of manner at
Benton, who was again marching up
and down his narrow post, very
.soldierly figure.
''That young teller drove you back,
did hep" inquired one of them, a
burly, thick-set, hulking man OF mid
die height. Putin on considera BILE
airs. amt he? What's he belong to?"
9Th infantry" answered Clarke.
shortly, not liking the strangers
looks, words or manner, and then
pushed oil: but the stranger fol-
lowed. out of sight of the sentry
now, and wanted to continue the
converse ton.
asked the same man.
"Cocksure!" was the blunt reply
"What's it to you, anyhow"
"Oh. nothin'; thought I'd seen him
before. Know his name?"
Names Benton, far as I know.
Come on. Hunter" said Clarke, OBJ
viously unwilling to stay longer in
such society, and little more was
thought of it for the time being; but
now the .provost-marshaPs assistant
wished further particulars. Was
there anything unusual about the
questioner's teeth? And hundred
men looked up in surprise and sud-
denly rearoused interest.
'"Yes. SIR" said Clarke, lone tooth
was missing, upper jaw, next the big
eye-tooth," and as the witness stood
down the general and the question
ing officer beamed on each other and
smiled.
An adjournment was necessitatcd
during the early afternoon. Lieut..
Rays statement was desired, also
that of Private Connolly, of the ar
tillery, and an effort had been made
through the officers of the cavalry
at Pace TO find some of the recruits
who were of the detachment now
quite frequently referred TO in that
command as 1.-The singed cats" But
it TRANSFERRED that most of them had
been assigned to troops of their regi-
ment not yet sent to Manila, only
half the regiment being on duty
foot duty at that-in the Philippines.
The only man among them who had
Travelled with Foster from Denver as
far as Sacramento was the young re-
cruit. Mellen. He was on outpost,
but would be relieved and sent to
Connolly, said the surgeon at the
Quartet de Meysic, was too i'll to be
sent thither, unless on a matter of
vital Importance, and Sandy Ray,
fastening from Maidie's bedside in
response to a summons, was met by
the tidings that a recess had beer
ordered. and that he would be sent
for again when needed.
of consequence came up for examina-
ton. DIR. Brick had got the floor and
was pleading for post-mortem AT
once. In this climate and under such
conditions decomposition would be
so rapid, said he, that "by tomorrow
his own mother couldn't recognize
him." But the provost-marshal
drawied that he didn't see that fur
Their mutilation would promote the
possibility of recognition. and Bricl,
was set aside.
1t was a quarter to four when
young Mellen was hidden to tell
whether he knew, and what he knew
of, the deceased, and all men hushed
their very breath as the lad was
conducted to the b1anket-shrouded
form under the overhanging gallery
in the open patio. The hospital
steward slowly turned down the
coverlct, and Mellen, well-nigh, as
pallid as the corpse, was hidden to
look. Look he did. long and earnest
ply. The little weights that some one
had placed on the eyeids were lifted;
the soft hair had been neatly
brushed; the lips were gently closed;
the delicate, clear-cut features wore
an expression of infinite peace ant
rest; and Mellen slowly turned AMI
facing the official group at the neigh
! boring table, nodded.
you think you recognize the de
ceased?'' came the question. eff SO
what was his name?"
1 81 think so. yes, sir. It's Foster