Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-12-11

|
Seventh was returning from a scout
after hostile Indians boy Of ten who
had been hiding in dry ditch sudden
ly leaped up before the horses. His
story was the familiar one. An emf
grant camp had been beset by the hos
tiles ut night, 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 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 it
down in making a record, but the sol
diers called him Billy 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,
selfshness and braggadocio. but he
never did, He was encouraged 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 a 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 woulAn't have been glad to chip
in for purse to send the boy to some
school In the states and give him
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 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, 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
Bflly'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
tust as often to Wharton's.
One day, and for the first time, he
was sent there officially. The host1ies
were taking in the whole length of the
valley, beating back or dodging the
forces sent ott, and II 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, bat Wharton argued that the
marauders would turn back before his
place was reached Tho 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 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 hfm, and
1t was only when he was ON hts way
that any one noticed the bugie siung to
his back. He rode at a fast pace and
reached Wharton's without adventure
The message must have convinced the
ranchman Of the necessity of haste, for
he brought up his wagon and began
loading 1t with household effects. 1t
was while thus engaged that the In
dams came upon him.
Billy had left the fort at 10 o'clock
fT4 hn v.d
out that n Wharton refused to come
the boy would be back at half past Il
at the latest. II Wharton accompanied
him back, then It might be an hour
later. 1t came o'clock, and It came
and 3, and there was no sign of Billy.
Then the colonel ordered out Company
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
We're put to the gallop. They hoped to
meet Billy before the crest of Snake
hill was reached, but when halt was
uuduc Uu Tie SuLuullt u UT0dlHe lu6
horses and the troopers looked down
upon Wharton's ranch, still three miles
away, dozen men cried out In chorus:
Look! LookI 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 It was seen
that sheds and stacks only had been
fred and that the house itself was st1fl
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. Bu-
gier Billy WINS sounding Boots and
eaddlesr' as a can for aid.
Company B had brought along q su-
pernumerary bugier. The captain nod
ded to him. He dismounted, climbed
the big bowfder which was landmark
and from It's crest sent the stirring
notes back across the valley to tell the
beaeaguered ones that rescue was at
hand. Then as he touched the saddle
again the troop went laundering down
the eastern slope to fall upon the fndk
ans red handed. 1t reached the valley.
u had formed platoon front, the car