Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-03-06
CHAPTER XXI.-CoNT1NUED.

son now, while the official reports
were hurried on to catch the general
on his way to Cheyenne. Some one
warned the band leader, and the
musicians marched away to quarters.
Some one bore the news to town,
where the flags over the hotel and
the one newspaper Office were at
once lowered to half staff, although
that at Emory, true to official Ell
quette and tradition, remained until
further orders at the peak, despite
the fact that two of the annihilated
companies were from that very post.
Some one bore the news to Burleigh's
quarters at the depot, and, despite
assertions that the ma or could see
no one and must not be agitated or
disturbed, disturbed and agitated he
was beyond peradventure. Excitedly
the sick man sprang from his bed at
the tidings of the massacre and be-
gan penning a letter. Then he sum-
moned young clerk from his Office
and told him he had determined to
get up at once, as now every energy
put forth to bring the Sioux to terms.
1t was the young clerk who a few
weeks back had remarked to a fellow
employe how 'rattled' the old man
was getting. The majors doctor was
not about. The major began dictat-
ing letters to various officials as he
rapidly dressed, and what happened
can best be told in the clerks own
words: "For a man too sick to see
anyone two hours BEFORE" said he,
''the major had wonderful recupera-
tive powers, but they didn't last. He
was in the midst of letter to the
chief quartermaster, and had got as
far as to say: The deplorable and
tragic fate of Lieut.. Dean points, of
course, to the loss of the large sum
intrusted to him. when I looked up
and said: why, Lieut.. Dean amt
dead, major; he got in all right and
he stared at me minute as if I
yellow-white and down he went like
a log-had fit, I s'pose. Then I
ran for help, and then the doctor
came and hustled everybody out"
But not till late that night did
these details reach "Old Pecksniff'' at
the post. A solemn time was that vet
eran having, for many of the women
were almost in Mysteries, and all were
in deep distress. Jessie, comforted now
by the knowledge that Marshall was
rapidly recovering, and the words of
praise bestowed upon him in the
colonels letters, was nevertheless in
deep anxiety as to the future. The
assurance that the Sioux, even in
their overwhelming numbers, would
not attack a stockade, was not suf-
ficient. Marshall would be on duty
again within a very few days, the
colonel said. His wounds would heal
within the week, and it was only loss
of so much blood that had Frustrated
him. Within few days, then, her
loved brother would be in saddle and
in the field against the Indians. Who
could assure her they would not have
another pitched battle? Who could
say that the fate that befell the gar
rison at Warrior Gap might not await
the troop when next it rode away?
And poor Jess had other anxieties.
too, by this time. LOOMS was burn
ing with eagerness for orders to lead
it instantly to join the field column,
and importuned Col. Stevens, even in
the midst of all the grief and shock
of the early evening. Almost angrily
the veteran colonel babe him attend
to his assigned duties and not de-
mand others. &C" troop should not
with his advice and consent be sent
north of the Platte. "First thing
you know, sir, after they've got all
the troops up along the Big Horn
you'll see the Sioux in force this side
Of the river, numbering right and
left, and not company to oppose
them. No, sir, more than enough of
that troop have already been sacri-
feed! The rest shall stay here"
And well was it, for one and all,
that. Old Pecksniff" held firm to his
decision. It was one of his lucid in
tervals.
Late that evening, after ten o'clock,
there came the sound of hoofbeats
on the hard road and the crack of
long-lashed mule-whip, and the fort
ambulance clattered up to Folsom's
gate, and the colonel himself, his ad-
jutant by his side, came neryously
up the gravel walk. Folsom met them
at his door. Instinctively he felt that
something new and Startling was add
ed to the catalogue of the days dis
astrous tidings. Pecksniff's face was
eloquent CT gravest concern, mingled
with irrepressible excitement.
Let me- see YOU in private, quick"
he Said. ''Mr.-ah-Mr. Adjutant,
will you kindly remain in the parlor,''
and, taking Folsom by the elbow,
Pecksniff Ted impetuously into the IL
brary. The girls had gone aloft only.
a moment before, but, dreading news
of further evil, Pappoose came flut-
tering down. r.
''Go in and welcome the adiutant
DEAR" said Folsom, hurriedly. 'The
colonel and have some matters to
talk Of" Obediently, she turned at
once, and, glancing up the stairs,
noticed that Mrs. Fletcher's door
must have been suddenly opened, for
the light from her room was now;
streaming on the third-foors balus-
ters. Listening again! What could
be the secret Of that woman's in
tense watchfulness? In the parlor
the young staff officer was pacing up
and down, but his face lighted at
sight Of Elinor. r ==# 4 s #sstt. 4 #
i do you know-Is there anything
new ?-anything worse?' she quickly
al,