Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-12-17

grant camp had been beset by the hos
tiles at night. n 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 I'm a way Company adopt
cd him.
For the first year or two IL 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 rs Stanley
Martin. and 50 the chaplain wrote ii
down In making a record. hut the sol
diers called him Billy from the first
day to the last He was a bright.
cheerful youngster by nature. and aft
or time had blunted his grief no one
laughed oftcner than Billy. The pet
ting he received from the men Of the
company would have spoiled most
Kids but IL made Billy none the worse
He might have picked up profanity,
selhshncss and braggadocio. but be
never did He was cncourag ed to
smoke and chew. hut 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 il was arranged does not mat
ter but year later Billy became
Company rs buglcr lie had been a
pupil until he could De taught nothing
more His hugic calls were music 10
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 Il lad rs 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
I'm for a purse TO send the boy TO some
school In the states and give him a
show to make his way i'm 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 Ratchet and took 10 the warpath
News reached Fort Mcpherson after a
bit that band OF them were raiding
down Smoky valley. There were but
two compan Is at the fort just then.
and they held themselves I'm readiness
to he ordered out at any moment IL
was six miles FROM the post over to the
valley. and many time during the
days Of peace Billy had mounted the
Indian pony given him 10y the quarter
master aud ridden over 10 Wharton's
ranch Wharton himself was jolly and
4 l.
and kind hearted. and their daughter
Kate. 4 year younger than the bugler.
was handsome enough TO set a boys
heart luttcring. The soldiers caught
on after awhile aud had their jokes at
Billy's expense, but they did not 20
too far Even the toughest OF the men
always respected the boys feelings
He bluShcd and stammcred when they
laughed az his love affair. but he went
just as often 10 Wharton's
One day. and for the first time, he
was sent there officially The hostiles
We're takiuc IN the whole length Of the
valley. hsating back or lodging the
forces sent out. and II the Whartons
did not seek the shelter OF the fort
they were certain 10 fan victims with
in day or two Other settlers had
come In. but Wharton argued that the
maauders would turn back before his
place was reached The colonel OF the
Seventh had written him almost n
pcremptOry order 10 come I'm without
an hours delay. and Billy was the
messenger deputcd TO carry il. He
had fast pony. was n good rider and
had cool head. and il was argued
that lac would he several hours ahead
OF danger. 4 light Winchester and a
belt of cartridges were given him. and
it was only when he was on his way
that any one noticed the bugle slung to
his back. lie rode ut fast pace and
reached Whartou's without adventure.
The message must have convinced the
ranchman OF the necessity OF haste. for
he brought mp his wagon and began
loading IL with household effects Ii
was while thus engaged that the IN
dams came npon him.
Billy had left the fort at 10 O'Clock
In the forenoon IL could be figured
out that II Wharton refused TO come
the boy would be back at half past l.
at the latest. If Wharton accompanied
him back. then il might be an hour
later. 1t came ] o'clock. and Ii came .
and 3. and there was no sign of Billy
Then the colonel ordered out Compa M
Il for a scout There were only seven
ty men. but 1t was believed they cOulC
take care of any force likely to be me-
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 horse:
We're put TO the galiop They hoped tC
meet Billy before the crest OF Snake
hill was reached. but when n halt was
made on the summit 10 breathe the
horses and the troopers looked down
upon WhartOn's ranch. still three miles
away. a dozen men cried out in chorus
Look. Look The redskins have
jumped the ranch and are burning the
house"
Clouds OF smoke were arising from
three cr four points on the ranch prop
-srfy. luI after n minnie il was seer
mat sneds ana stacks only nad Deer
fired and that the house itself was still
intact But as the soldiers used Their
naked eyes and the officers their glass
es TO locate the redskins the sounds OF
rifle shots came floating up to them
Followed by the notes OF bugle. Blu
gler Billy was sounding Boots and
saddles" as a call for aid
Company b had brought along SUI
pernumerary bugler. The captain nod
ded TO him. He dismounted. climbed
the big bowlder which was landmark
and from its crest sent the stirring