The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-23
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gallant and meritorious service;" hence
came the title OF captain
Thsp, as company duty proved irksomc
and Nsvins' company and post COM
fnander both began 10 stir him up for his
manifold negiigences and ignoranoes, the
ala OF his patron In congress was again
invoked. A'crippled veteran who could
do no field service was In charge OF a
supply camp for scouting parties, es-
corts, detachments, etc, and, 10 the
wrath OF the regimental officers. this
veteran was relieved and Lieutenant and
Brevet Captain Nevins. by department
orders. was detailed in his place. This
made him Independent OF almost every
body. besides placing In his hands large
quantities OF commissary aud quarter
master stores, which were worth far more
10 the miner, prospector and teamster
than their invoice price The stories that
began TO come into Yuma and Drum
barracks and other old time stations OF
the high Jinks" going on day and night
at Nevins camp the orders for liquors.
cigars and supplies received at San Fran
cisco and filled by every stage or steamer,
the lavish entertainment accorded to Of
ficers OF any grade and TO wayfarers with
any sign OF money. the complaints OF
victims who had been fieeced, the gloomy
silence OF certain fedgelng subalterns
after brief visits at Camp Ochre." as
Blake had dubbed IL, all pointed signif-
cantly TO but one conclusion-that, so
far from living on his pay, Nevins was
gormandizing on that of everybody else
and doubtless raising the wind" IN other
ways at the expense or Uncle Sam.
Even In Arizona In the days of the
empire IL couldn't last forever. Easy
come. easy 20. Nevins had lavishly spent
what was so Nightly won. Tucson and
Yuma City were within easy stage ride;
even San Francisco had twice been found
accessible. Dashing associates OF both
sexes were ever at hand. The sudden
turn OF the tide came with the order that
broke UP the supply camp. required him
to turn over his funds and stores 10 the
quartermaster at Camp Cook and report
TO: duty in person at that post.
Then came the expected discovery of
grievous shortages in both funds and
the order for the arrest of the |
delinquent officer and his trial by court
martial. Colonel Turnbull inspector gem
eral OF the department, was hurried out |
from the shores of the Pacific 10 sit as
one OF the senior members of the court. |
Lieutenant Loring, vainly striving along |
the ella TO find some resemblance be- |
tween It's tracing on government map
and it's meanderings through the desert, |
was selected To perform the duties OF |
Judge advocate. |
The court was authorized to sit with |
out regard TO hours and to sift the offi- |
cial career OF the protege of the house |
OF military affairs without re- |
gard 10 consequences, when that volatile |
and accused person took matters into his |
own hands and betweeen the setting and
rising OF the sun disappeared from the |
brush, canvas and adobe shelters OF old |
Camp Cooke and left for parts unknown,
taking with him the best horse in the |
commanding officers stable and as ge- |
MUS has ever its followers, the admira- |
ton II not the regard OF much of the gar \
rison.
But other followers were needed at |
once THAT man must be caught at any |
cost. Loring," said the colonel, mo one |
begins TO know the extent OF his rascali- |
ties, and you and Blake must catch him" |
For answer the engineer took out his |
watch-it was just l2:45-stepped out into
the glare OF the sunshine and gazed to /
the far horizon. The plain TO the east |
was fiat a board for many q mile and |
well nigh as barren Then he turned abb 1
ruptly 10 Sancho, Dinner ready?" ne |
asked.
I'm one, two minutes, senior capitan,"
responded the ranchman gravely, confer
ing on the officer the brevet of courtesy |
Out in front of the ranch the old red |
stage, long since faded TO a dun color. |
stood baking In the burning rays. The |
mules had been taken into the corral for |
water, fodder and shade. The driver was
'egaling himself within the bar. few |
oungers, smoking, but silent seemed dog |
ng the noontide away. Loring stepped to |
he side OF the vehicle and drew forth a