Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-17

don't get work enough" responded our
merry strategist with a wink.
The game stopped. Some soldier lark
ahead possibly. They might be amused,
they hoped.
The two officers borrowed rifles and belts
as they passed through the line. Leading
the loaded pony, they marched forth toward
the row Of grotesque figures sitting on the
bluffs. When this curious trio had ad-
vanced $50 yards the warriors out in the
distance began to grid and mount. Neither
did they understand. The troops had never
so manouvered before. Was IT a talk which
was wanted, were the soldiers sick OF the
long-drawn game or was 1t some deep
seated thoughtfulness? The Indians aid not
make 1t out. Neither did the waiting
troops. They had never before seen two
men leading a simple pony out into the
open between two forces bent on each
others destruction. II was not in ths
books; II had never been told around the
winter fires.
with the alert willingness to take ad-
vantage OF the chances, the Sioux quirted
and kicked their ponies into a proper state
OF anticipation Of the game. The regulars
sat up, spread their faces cheerfully and
fingered their rife sights up to the possible
distances. Steadily the officers advanced on
their curious adventure.
Say, Uncle Bill, / think we had better
stop; when they come we won't have much
the best of a race back to the lines"
"All right think we are about right;
but, Dick, I don't want this whisky to come
back on US. II won't do us a -- bit Of
good and may do us harm IL the general
gets onto 1t. and the boys would never let
us hear the last Of It. No, walt. Get
your horseshoes ready. Tie them on. but
hold up his tail, and for --s sake, Dick,
don't get him started the wrong way or WI
are dirt"
Lieutenant Van Nick proceeded quickly
to tie a string OF muleshoes. which he had
strung on some "whang' leather, to the
blanket pony's tail. He wove 1t in tight
and strong. Meanwhile the anxious Sioux
had begun to circle and hover in their
bIrd-of-prey fashion, confident Of their mo-
bility.
Hurry up, Dicki The d. whelps will
come soon. They will scare the pony back
into the lines"
"All right. uncle-I have him fixed. Are
you ready?"
"Yes-turn him loose
This was one Of those battles that had
been thought out before It was begun, which
seldom happens outside books. 1t was the
soldier ideal-the real military ideal; II was
what the boys at West Point had studied
when they tried their simple strategy on the
academy stan, that being. in cadet theory
the way to apply talent The captain had
the thin old calico pony, loaded with his
two panniers. turned toward the enemy
Dick raised the consecrated animals tai
and made a quick pass under it; he dropped
the same suddenly; the string Of mule
shoes olattered about the hooks; with his
rife he gave the beast a big whack and fred
a cartridge over its back. The blanket
pony's memories Of patient treatment were
all forgotten in this sudden movement Of
his ganglions. He made of toward the
rushing Sioux.
Turning toward their lines. the two OH.
GERS ran for it-only looking back coca.
sionaliy to see what the blanket pony wal
doing. He had run away about 100 yards
but. upon seeing the charging Indian line
had stopped.
Keep between the pony and our line, g,
they won't shoot" called out the lieutenant
This they did. The line held It's hre ant
the Indians rounded out the pony and Dor,
It away. G.
Coming among their comrades, the,
were greeted with amazement. What th,
- are you doing?" Burton, you mus
be crazy" etc.
They certainly did get our pony sal
Burton, grinning.
why didn't you lie down and let us Ar,
over your" was asked; but the pony strate
gists shed no light and ak away t
speculate in quiet.
Again the soldiers lay down in group