The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1901-12-20
Copyrighted. 1900, by the J. B. LippincOt Col
CHAPTER XVI.-CoNrINUED.

CHAPTER XVI.-CONTINUED.
A whole battalion in the regulars
and dozens of gallant boys in the
1dahOs and North Dakotas knew Billy
Benton and had been full of sympa-
thy when he was picked up one night
some three weeks previous, his head
laid open by a powerful blow from
some blunt instrument, bleeding and
senseless! Even when released from
hospital a fortnight later he was
dazed and queer, was twice reported
out of quarters over night and abb
sent from roll call, but was forgiven
because of previous character" and
the belief that he was really not re-
spOnsible for these soldier solecisms,
One thing seemed to worry him,
and that was, as he admitted, that
he had been robbed of some papers
that he valued. But he soon seemed
''all right again." said his fellows, at
least to the extent of resuming duty,
, and when, clean shaved and in his
best attire, he marched on guard that
glad October morning they were bet
ting on him for the first chevrons
and speedy commission.
All that his few intimates. the one
or two who claimed to know him,
could be induced to admit was that
his real name was not Benton. and
that he had enlisted utterly against
che wishes of his kindred. And so,
regulars and volunteers alike, they
+hrOnged the open patio and all APP
breaches thereto, and no officer
would now suggest that that court be
cleared. 1t was best that '"Think-
ing Bayonets" should be there to
hear and see for himself.
NO, indeed, don't do anything of
Vhe kind!" said the general, prompt
~, when asked half hesitatingly by
the captain of the guard whether he
preferred to exclude the men. And
IN this unusual presence the brief,
straightforward examination went on.
First to tell his tale was the cor
poral OF the second relief. He had
posted his men between $3.50 and 8:45,
Private Benton on No. 6 at the cor
ner of the Gale Real and Parde
Faura. That post had been chosen
for him as being not very far away
from that of the guard, as the young
''feller" had not entirely recovered
his strength, and the officer of the
day had expressed some regret at his
having so soon attempted to resume
duty, but Benton had laughingly said
that he was 'all right" and he didn't
mean to have other men doing sentry
go for him.
'Soon aftet nine," said the cor
poral, 81 went round warning all as
directed by the officer of the guard.
The officer of the guard himself went
round about that time personally
cautioning the sentries. There was a
good deal of fun and excitement just
then down the street. No. 8 in the
Gale Nueve had shot twice at some
fleeing natives who nearly upset him
as they dashed round the corner
from the Bagumbayan, and he had
later mistaken Col. Brent in his white
suit for a Filipino and nervously
fired. Nos. and 8 in the side
streets mistoOk the shooting for fire
alarm, and Private Benton repeated,
in accordance with his orders, but
when 1 (the corporaD saw him was
laughing to kill himself over the Ma
Mia fire department"
Benton didn't seem much impressed
st first about the thief and the de-
serter, but towards 9:45, when the
corporal again visited his post and
the streets were getting quiet, Ben
ton said there were some natives in
the second house across the way
whose movements puzzled him. They
kept coming to the front door and
windows and peeping out at him. A
patrol came along just then, search
ing alleyways and yards, and they
looked about the premises, while he
Corporal ScotD started west on the
Faura to warn No. 4, who was over
towards the beach, and while there
Mai. MacNeil, the field officer of the
day, came along, and after making
inquiries as to what No. had seen
and heard and asking him his orders,
he turned back to the Faura, Cor
poraI Scott following.
ODC OlOCh NCSb VI JLC AdllC LNCdl
the major stopped as though to lis
ten to some sound he seemed to have
heard in the dark street running par
allel with the Real, and then stepped
into it as though to examine, so Scott
followed. and almost instantly they
heard a muffled report like a pistol
inside a blanket" and Fastening
round into the Faura they found Ben
ton lying on his face in the middle OF
the street, just at the corner of the
calle Real, stone dead. His rife they
found in the gutter not 20 feet from
him.
Scott ran at once to the guard
nOuse, three blocks away, and gaze
the alarm. Then the patrol said that
tad offieer, running full speed. hAc