The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-09-05

Running n string through the handle of
! the demijohn, and the withe in the ham,
| Shorty threw them over his shoulder, and
walking to the left of the line relieved
Tom Radbone whom he instructed to 90
| inside, similarly provide himself, and re-
| lieve Abe Grimstead, who was to do the
| same and relieve the next man.
BE awful quick, slick and quiet" en-
| Joined Shorty. IF these thieving whelps
out around here get an idee of what's up
| therell be n rush, and we wont get much
of anything. If we play the thing fine
wen get away with about everything IN
there that's worth having, and have the
grand laugh on the Fifteenth Corps, that
think themselves such slick foragers.
Won't it just grind 'em, to steal every
thing right out from under their noses"
The operation went on quietly and very
successfully. The crowds of eager hunt
crs wandering through the fort kept
good distance from the magazines, which
promised nothing except a disastrous ex
ploSiOn to unwary seekers.
Pete was the last one to 90 in, and 81
was walking the beat in front. waiting
for him to come out, to give the word to
march.
Pete had found too much that was in
wiling. He WAS very anxious to get s9me-
thing that Aunt Minerva Ann would es-
pccialIy prize. He had loaded himself
tbNH WIFI StTIHSS OF SduSdStS, CHuHh
of dried Reef, a string of red peppers, a
Goldfish and Il jar of honey, when he saw
= Jug of New Orleans molaSScS that he
knew would be particularly dear TO her
African heart. He was almost breaking
under his load already, and could not see
how he was going to carry it all on his
horse with his gun. But Aunt Minerva
Ann was worth making an effort for. and
he could not bear her missing any of these
things Just because he was to lazy TO carry
them to her, so he picked up the jug OF
mOlaSses.
Shorty was getting fidgety over the de-
lay, which every minute made more dan
gcrOus.
He saw a squad marching toward him,
and gave loud hist to warn 81 and the
rest.
Halt, Who comes thcre?" he chal-
lcngcd, when the squad reached the dis
lance.
Sergeant of the Guard, with relief"
was the answer.
20, come off" answered Shorty. "You
can't play that. 'Tain't time for the re-
There amt nothing round here you want !
Only ammunition. and shells. Don't come |
no nearer Orders are strict that every
body must keep a good distance. Go off |
and hunt somewhere else. Stand back
there"
Come, guard; don't be fool" expostu-
lated the Sergeant, and Shorty became
sure that he was trying to play trick.
THE orders are to relieve you tired men
and put on fresh men from other regi-
mcnts that weren't in the fight. Bring
your musket to port, and stop this non
sense"
Shorty at once became the impersona-
ion of severe military integrity"
stand back, there. Get often my beat.
You Illinois Suckers ought to be ashamed
# yourselves, protecting around here try
ng to steal something, and get some poor
guard into trouble. Don't think you can
day your slick games on us. I'm no re-
'ruit You just let things alone that
ion't belong to you, and go back TO your
luarters, and lay down, like decent SOL
iiers. Get often my beat, L tell you, or
III have to make you"
just hear him raS" said the
Sergeant. YOU'D think he was Chaplain
# the regiment. What's that you've got {
yer your shoulder" ,
Here; guard" said the Officer of the !
iuard, striding up, with his sword trail
ng in the sand behind him. what are {
on doing with this crowd? Why don't I
ou make them get off your beat? What 5
re you Ginning with them about? Here
len, you must not get so near these mag s
zines. Fall back, all Of you. Who are $
on, anyway" he continued to Shorty, q
tudying him in the darkness and trying
D recognize him. '"To what company do '
on belong? l don't remember you when
GU went on. What's that you've got t
yer your shoulder" d
They're all loaded" exclaimed one of
he men in the rear. They've struck {
See this man." h
Sergeant of the Guard" called the Of
Ger loudly, come here with the guard a
t once"
ST gave a whistle, ynnked Pete out and n
arted around the headquarters, followed d
Y the rest. 81
The stragglers made rush on the mag
zine, and there was n scramble between Y
lem, the Officer of the Guard and the 2,
quad led by the Sergeant. The news
bread through the fort like electricity
rat a stock of provisions and liquors had 4,
zen found, and everybody was on hand 6
a minute to join in the looting. They W
ere further excited by getting brief
imposes of 81 and his well-laden squad W
aking rapid progress for the sally port Il
the fort. r.
'Weil, we've got away all right, for vi