Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1902-12-26
"-t -"
BY !.
Eileen Z
Mo'relt1tiaiI. '.
100000
{
CopygIght.
1901, by
a.. S. T. ! .
Richardson
THE
80
HONOR
Of the
TENTH
3 o>o>o%o%o%o>AoHo~o>

n l.
hmirched. The rank and file growled
e out in barracks. the officers whis-
pered it to each other, and as the Colo
mel sat on the vcranda of bis bunga-
tbw and admitted it to himself he laid
much of the blame on his own Shout
ders.
The robber bands OF India, known as
dacoits, had been busy around Aliwal,
and squads of British cavalry were be-
Eng sent out every few days to destroy
chem. Your true dacoit is not only a
Robber. but Il fighter us well. He robs
his own race whenever opportunity Of
fers and fights the British whenever
and wherever he meets them. He is a
good shot. brave foe, and there are
honor and promotion to be had in WHIP
Young Danforth had lately Joined the
Tenth. He had family and political in
fuence and Il fortune behind him, and
he had a personality which made
friends. There could be no greater
privilege than to be sent out at the
head of a detachment TO give the da-
colts Whrl. When the time came
that the colonel could do young Dan
forth this favor, lie had a long and
quiet talk with him. He posted him
as to the characteristics and tactics Of
the foe and warned him OF the pit
falls that even veteran officers might
fall into: He was to find the enemy
and destroy him. but he was cautioned
against impctucUsity and useless sac
rifice Of men. This expedition was to
be the young officers ''try OUT He
had never been under fire, and he could
not claim full kinship with the regi-
ment until lie had.
They gave young Danforth British
sergeant and corporal and thirty-eigGt
Sikh troopers Under an officer: in
whom he hes confidence there is no
better soldier that the Sikh. His only
weak point is that he must have his
fce in front OF him. Danforth had the
luck to strike Il band Of robbers within
twenty miles Of the post. They had
captured q village and were pillaging.
ft was testified to by dozen Sikhs
chat he was as cool as an old veteran.
He sent scouts forward to ascertain the
strength Of the enemy and the lay OF
the land, and at the head of his forty
men he charged into the village and
routed out the band of $50. He lost
two mci. and killed a dozen, and it was
little affair to be proud of. He held
his men well in hand and was on the
watch for trickery. and had ill the
troopers been Europeans all would have
gone we'll. AS the robbers retreated
over broken ground men were flung off
from either flank to create an ambush
half hearted. but as they opened fire
the Sikhs bolted. tThere were confusion
and a rout and the pursuers became in
turn the pursued. When the flight end
ed, The sergeant and corporal We're
missing.
\ court martial was demanded by
young Danforth. No sooner had the
detachment returned than the remnant
of the Sikhs began to whisper about
mcOMpetency and coWardice They
praised the officer fer his fight at the
village. but they declared that his cow
arGice when he found himself in a
sight place had brought about disaster
His defense was straightforward and
clear. There was not an officer who
doubted one Of his statements, and he
Tas llonOrably acquitted of the charge;
But 4 stain had been left behind. 1t
was felt by men and officers that to he
even suspected of coWardice was a
smivc.l on the name Of the regiment. 1t
was agreed that the Sikhs had lied to
excuse their own cowardice, and there
was he verdict of the court martial,
yet the cloud was not dissipated.
Ycung Danforth could not fail to no.
tice the Change III the attitude of his
brother officers. They did not cut him,
but they had to make an effort to be
friendly. Pretty soon hints were
thrown out that it would be we'll for
him to transfer or leave the service
Then lie went to the colonel and said:
Il was charged with cowardice by the
Sikhs Had my sergeant and corporal
Owed to come back with me l could
have had witnesses to prove to the con-
trary. The court martial took my word.
however. and I was honorably acquit.
ted. realize that am tainted. There
are hints that,I ought to transfer or re-
sign. With Your permission shall re-
main right here and hope for something
TO happen"
II believe that the Sikhs perjurel
themselves" quietly replied the colonel.
land perhaps it will be the wisest thing
you can do to stay on
The words were kind and fair, but no
grip Of the hand accompanied them. In
his heart Of hearts the colonel had
hoped the subaltern would go away.
though at the same time he realized
that only an innocent man would have
cared to remain. Young Danforth led
mo more expeditions, and months rolled
away before anything happened to put
lais case in more favorable light. Then
number of dacoits were captured
Among them were two or three who
had fought him that day. They boast