Arizona republican., 1902-06-15

had recovered his usual spirits and pronounced himself fit for another en-
 SaSement with the Greasers, for whom he now felt a profound contempt. He was proud of the fact that he had
 stood fire, for he had entertained
 doubts of his courage on that point.
 After Willie had made a scanry i breakfast on hardtack and bacon.
 minus coffee. he was notified ny the 1 coloners orderly that he was wanted
 at the tent of the regimcntal com nander at once
 Willie reportsd, and the colonel, atf- l ter looking him over carefully. said to a major standing bv that he was just
 the man for the purpose.
 | Turning to our hero, he said, "C0" poral your captain has informed me ! of the particulars of your saving the i life CT g. man whom l understand ou have nc reason to consider your friend. Your gallant action on that occasion 1 leads me to believe that you are 9 man to be trusted. Your captain, who vas wounded yesterday. has also informed me that you continued fighting during the battle. after you had been wound ed, when you might nave retired to the rear. l appreciate your devotion, and am now going to ask you to undertake mission that may result in the joss Of yo1r life He scrutinized the cor poral's lace searchirgly Wilie's face never blanched. and he uCdesuy replied that his captain lad oVelrated him. but he was anxious to serve the cause for which he had en- listed. and no mission that could be selected for him to perform would be considered too dangerous. His life was at his country's disposal.
 That's the proper spirit. my man. but ! don't want --Ou to lose your ;ite. You are required 10 get certain infor- nation regarding the disposition of the eneny's forces and the location of thair Qualifications. 1 cannot trust the Gu ! ban scouts and must rely on my own men for the information
 Telling Willie to take seat, he then carefully outlined the plans and to- sether they marked out certain trails on 9 map stretched out on box. They l ccnversed for some time together. and when Willie got up to take his depart ure the colonel asked him if he thcr- ! oughly understood the instructions. l Willie replied in the afiirma tive and as ! he left the tent the commanding officer said as q final caution, You are to go alone. remember. for another man
 might disarrange the plans"
 SalUtinS the officer. Willie returned 1 to his troop with jaunty step and his ! head in the clouds. He had been Sc ! leQted cut of an army Of men to per- from q dangerous and important task.
 and the colonel had intimated that
 rapid promotion would follow it's sue
 cessful accomplishment. He felt elate1
 in ali but one thing-he had asked per
 mission to take Blinkie with him, but
 the request had been denied.
 He found Blinkie anXiously awaiting i his return and when he appeared | BInkie asked him sarcastically if the 1 colonel had requested the pleasure of his company at dinner. that he mad
 been gone so long. Willie ignored the 1 remark. and in Q low tone related the substance Cf his interview. Binkie s 1 eyes opened wide at tho recital, but his face fell when told that he could not be taken on the trip. BInkie's ia nentations Were genuine. He said that without Willie's presence he would never be able to keep out of mischief, and would he under arrest as soon as
 the other was out of sight. He now ! th4 positions being reversed from what they We're Whep they first met While l Willie was making his simple prepa"a tions for departure EHnkie had been
 studying profoundly. Finally 9 grin
 overspread his face. and he nodded h!s
 head as if to give emphasis to q pleas ing thought.
 The corporal went to the conAmissurg
 ,1.
 and when he returned he found ;nai
 3linkie was missing. lie waited some time, and then he thought to look 1T
 inc tent and saw Blinkie's carbine and
 havetsacK were gene. He wondered
 greatly. hut a suspicion of the Tea
 state of affairs never. entered his head
 Thinking that his comrade would re-
 turn Willie fingered some time longer
 but at last with an impatient ejacu'a-
 ton a | the others behavior he stroit
 out of the tent. lie felt hurt to thinf
 that his one staunch friend would al low him to depart on a mission SC daG
 GeroUs without a farewell.
 He said nothing to the other trooper.
 in regard to his mission. but reDortiH.
 to the troop commander that he ha,
 been selected for special duty, he ,ef
 the camp and soon had passed the out posts. He continued his journey fo
 some time without taking any precau tions to keep out of sight, but when l. i had gone about . mic he proceeda, l Witl- more caution and carefully rI : aEine5 the bushes on each side of th , trall he was following.
 When Willie had started on his iris , sion i2e had taken only his pistol m [ haversacil containing his rations o ilardtacl. and canned beef. for his in I structions were not to hamper him } sell with equipments. His orders wer
 io keap out of sight of everybody. fo . nls capture would inevitably fono' I his being seen inside the lines of u
 enemy.
 As night fell Willie had traveie l Il3any miles, though by a most circuit e GUS route His intention was to ge Y around in the rear of a place nlarke i on the map he was carrying as f z Carey. where the enemy was reporte a to 0c strongly fortified.
 I When it became toe darl. to see tn Q trail which he vas trying to follow