The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-03-15

change station.
"We're going East" shouted the
first sergeant. who brought the news
from post headquarters at orderly call
-"we're going East; so pack up, you
duffers!'
East? Going East? 1t was almost
pathetic to see the look Of utter help
lessncss on the faces of some of the men
who had almost forgotten the word
EAST" men who had lived and
marched and fought and toiled so long
under Arizona's hot sun that all else
seemed unreal.
"Frisco?" hazarded a recruit.
Not much, sonny" answered the
first sergeant, who seemed delighted
with the news. "Wc're going to Tue
son, the finest town in the territory"
There was an air of general relief
among the older men.
Its pretty gay town., murmured
Tommy Creighton, the tarrier. II
spent my last finals there four years
ago
'.Ain't there a brewery there?" some
one asked.
"Only twenty-five cents bottle,'
said Tommy, by way of reply.
For the next few days there was
little else talked of. L Troop seemed
to take it very much to heart-not the
good luck of the others, but the thought
of parting with them.
"We've lain alongside of each other
for ten years, boys" said old Dave at
the "send off, l. Troop gave them the
night before they left-"ten long years,
and not much coffee cooling in them,
either
There was no speech-making at the
send off; to them it would have seemed
foolish; but good-fellowship reigned
supreme, and the two or three scraps
thrown in 10y way of diversion added
to the success OF the affair
The next morning, in fifteen sets Of
fours, the troops rode past their colonel
in review for the last time; and their
carLines glistened and sparkled in the
morning sun until the light blinded
and moistened the eyes of those left
behind.
Out through the sally port, straight
across country, they rode, until they
struck the foothills of the Graham
Mountains. Then one saw them slow
iy winding up the narrow trail, until
their huttering guidon became mere
spcck on the horizon.
At noon, two days later, they went
into camp on the south fork of the San
Pedro. 1t is at this point that the San
Pedro, after long and silent journey
through the Caituro Pass, suddenly
sweeps off to the left before making its
, |
as the eye can see, the country rolls
along, almost prairie like in its outlines,
covered with rich, thick grass, occa-
sional willows, and myriads of flowers
of all imaginable hues. TO the east of
the Caituro range, beginning as mere
foothills, extends we'll to the south,
rising to almost impossible heights,
and ultimately forming part of the
Chiricahui, the mountain-range con-
tanning the wel!-known businesses Of
the Apaches.
Its beautiful place-to get away
FROM" said Hernegan, after the herd
had been turned out to Craze, and the
troop stood around the camp fire wait
ing tor something to eat. "Just about
the spot the Sixth had their fight, two
years ago"
"Bnt there's no Indians to fight
now,' answered some one; "they're all
on their reservation, amt they?'
According to the agents ration re-
turn only, said the first sergeant, who
had soldiers mistrust of everything
political. Agents don't come to this
country for their health, or $500 a
| year. Why, | knew a fellow down at
San Felipe in New Mexico-But here
t the cook 5 welcome cry of Come er-
runnin'! left him without an audience,
, very much to his disgust. Next to a
| good drink, | cant remember anything
the first sergeant OF X Troop liked
i. better than spinninga yarn, as |, who
listened to them all for almost three
: years, ought to know. liked Il drink,
| he used to say, because it makes me
talkative, and like to talk, he added
, retlectively, because it makes me
thirsty.
Now, the beginning Of this story,
7 knew fellow once down at San Felipe
? in New Mexico, had an interesting
+ sound to me, and | then and there
=! made up my mind to hear the rest of
- it; SO after dinner | heeled myself with
a liberal supply of tobacco and hunted
, him up. found him stretched out in
: the shade of his shelter-tent, with his
5 saddle for a pillow, putting away, and
: gazing intently at the herd.
That man down in San Felipe, | VEN
tured to say, some few minutes later;
after lie had made place for me in
r the shade beside him.
Who's in charge OF the herd guard?
he suddenly asked me, half rising to his
! feet.