Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1902-12-11

ly Ieapeu up DeIOfe tne HORSES. his
story was the familiar one. An emf
grant camp had been beset by the hos
tiles at night, a score OF men, women
and children wiped out, and the boy
had escaped, he knew not how. The
soldiers claimed the orphan as their
own, and in a way Company B adopt
ed him.
For the first year or two it was
feared that relatives might turn up or
that the colonel would send him away
to be adopted and cared for by civil
ians, but these calamities did not hap
pen. The boy gave his name as Stanley
Martin, and SO the chaplain wrote 1t
down in making Il record, but the sol
diers called him Eliy from the first
day TO the last. He was a bright,
cheerful youngster by nature, and aft
er time had blunted his grief no one
laughed oftener than Billy. The pet
ting he received from the men of the
company would have spoiled most
kids, but it made Billy none the worse.
He might have picked up profanity,
selfishness and braggadocio, but he
never did. He was encoura ged to
smoke and chew, but he did not fall
into those bad habits. At the age OF
twelve he was better educated than
some of the corporals, and at fourteen
the commissary took him on as clerk.
How it was arranged does not mat
ter, but year later Billy became
Company BIS bugler. He had been q
pupil until he could be taught nothing
more. His bugle calls were music to
the whole regiment, and let others
wind the horn as they might their
notes could deceive no one. And at
fifteen he was as fresh faced and hon
est looking a lad as any father or
mother could have wished to call son.
There wasn't an officer in the regiment
who wouldn't have been glad to chip
In for a purse to send the boy to some
school in the states and give him a
show to make his way in civil life, but
Billy had determined on soldiers
career and begged to be permitted to
stay with the Seventh.
Soon after his promotion the Indians,
who had somehow held on to them
selves for four or five years, dug up
the hatchet and took to the warpath.
News reached Fort Mcpherson after
bit that band of them were raiding
down Smoky valley. There were but
two companies at the fort just then,
and they held themselves in readiness
to be ordered out at any moment. 1t
was six miles from the post over to the
valley, and many a time during the
days of peace Billy had mounted the
Indian pony given him by the quarter
master and ridden over to Wharton's
ranch. Wharton himself was jolly and
good natured, his wife was motherly
and kind hearted, and their daughter
Kate, a year younger than the bugler,
was handsome enough to set a boys
heart fluttering. The soldiers caught
on after awhile and had their jokes at
Billy's expense, but they did not go
too far. Even the toughest Of the men
always respected the boys feelings.
He blushed and stammered when they
laughed at his love affair, but he went
just as often to Wharton's.
One day, and for the first time, he
was sent there officially. The hostiles |
were taking in the whole length of the |
valley, beating back or lodging the |
forces sent out, and If the Whartons |
did not seek the shelter of the fort |
they were certain to fall victims with |
In day or two. Other settlers had |
come in, but Wharton argued that the |
marauders would turn back before his |
place was reached. The colonel Of the |
Seventh had written him almost a |
peremptory order to come in without |
an hours delay, and Billy was the |
messenger deputed to carry 1t. He |
had fast pony, was a good rider and |
had cool head, and it was argued |
that he would be several hours ahead |
of danger. A light Winchester and a
belt of cartridges were given him, and |
1t was only when he was ON his way
that any one noticed the bugle slung to
his back. He rode at a fast pace and
reached Wharten's without adventure.
The message must have convinced the
fanchman of the necessity of haste, for
he brought up his wagon and began
was while thus engaged that the In
AidnS came upon MIN.
Billy had left the fort at 10 o'clock
in the forenoon. 1t could be figured
out that if Wharton refused to come
the boy would be back at half past II
at the latest. If Wharton accompanied
him back, then it might be an hour
later. 1t came l o'clock, and 1t came
and 3, and there was no sign of Billy.
Tho, fI,a |
B for scout. There were only seven
ty men, but it was believed they could
take care Of any force likely to be met
with that far down the valley The
orders were to ride on until they found
the boy, and the troop was no sooner
clear of the stockade than the horses
were put to the gallop. They hoped TO
meet Billy before the crest of Snake
hill was reached, but when a halt was
made ON the summit to breathe the
horses and the troopers looked down
upon Wharton's ranch, still three miles
away, dozen men cried out In chorus:
Look! Lookl The redskins have
jumped the ranch and are burning the
house"
Clouds OF smoke were arising from
three or four points on the ranch prop
erty, but after minute 1t was seen
that sheds and stacks only had been
fred and that the house itself was still
intact But as the soldiers used their
naked eyes and the officers their glass
as to locate the redskins the sounds of
rifle shots came floating up to them,
followed by the notes of bugle, Bu'
gler Billy was sounding Boots and
saddles!" as call for aid.
Company B had brought along su-
bugler. The captain nod
ded to him. He dismounted, climbed
the big bowlder which was landmark
and from its crest sent the stirring
notes back across the valley to tell the
beleaguered ones that rescue was at
hand. Then as he touched the saddle
lgain the troop went laundering down
the eastern slope to fall upon the lndi-
ans red handed. 1t reached the valley, |
it had formed platoon front, the car
bines had been unslung, when up rose
200 warriors to bar its further prog
ress and It's retreat and drive it to
cover on the right. Ten saddles had
been emptied before cover was reached.
The Indians had set a trap, and the
had galloped into it. For half
nm hour the hostiles pressed the attack
SO vigorously that it seemed as If the