Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-07
story, and he and his retainers practically

story, and he and his retainers practically
slept upon their arms.
It was after midnight. Lights still burned
dimly at the guardhouse, the adjutant's
office and over at the quarters of the COM
handing officer. where Byrne and Plume
were In consultation. There were sleepless
eyes in every house along the line. Truman
had not turned in at ALL Pondering over
his brief talk with the returned command
er. he had gone to the StorehOuSe to expe-
dite the packing of Brewsters ratiOns, and
ment at the hospital. In all the dread and
excitement of the past two days Pat Null
Inns had been well-nigh forgotten. The at
tendant greeted him at the entrance. Tru-
man. as he approached, could see him
standing at the broad open doorway, appar-
emily staring out through the starlight to-
ward the black and distant outlines Of the
eastward mountains. Mullins at least was
sleeping and seemed rapidly recovering,
said he, in answer to Truman's muttered
query. Major Plume" he added. was
over to see him while ago, but 1 told the
major Pat was asleep" Truman listened
without comment but noted none the less
and fingered. You were looking out to
fire."
mot I. sir. But the sentry there on No.
had the corporal out just now. He's seen
or heard something and they've moved
over toward No Us post
Truman followed. How happened 1t that
when Byrne and Plume had SO much to
talk OF the latter could find time to come
away over to the hospital to inquire for a
patient? And there! The call for half-past
IL had started at the guardhouse and rung
out from the stables and corrals. It was
Four's turn to take it up now. Presently
he did, but neither promptly nor with con-
just down from Fort Whipple and strange
to Sandy and its surroundings; but surely,
said Truman, they should not have been
assigned to Four and Five the exposed or
other men. old-timers at Sandy, to take
these stations. No. As "A-alrs well'
sounded more like a wall Of remonstrance
at his loneliness and isolation. 1t was
new voice. too, for in those days officers
knew not only the face but the voice of
every man in the little command, and
could Truman be mistaken-he thought he
heard subdued litter from the black
shadows OF his own quarters. and turned
his course thither to Investigate. Elves
shout went up at the instant, loud conf
dent, almost boastful, as though In rebuke
Of Four's tinidity. and, as Truman half
expected. there was the corporal Of the
guard leaning on his rife, close to the
veranda steps. and SO absorbed he never
heard the of1cer approach until the lieu
tenant sharply hailed:
who's that on No. ~"
"One Of C. Company fellers, SIR" an
swered the watcher. coming to his senses
and attention at the instant Just down
from Prescott. and thinks he sees ghosts
or Indians every minute. Nearly shot one
OF the hounds q moment ago."
you shouldn't put him on that post"
IT didn't. sir" was the prompt rejoinder.
Twas the sergeant. He said 'twould do
him good. But the mans really scared.
lieutenant. Thought I'd better stay near
him q Bit"
Across. the black and desolate ruin of
Blakely's quarters. and well out on the
northward mesa. they could dimly discern
the form OF the unhappy sentry pacing
uneasily along his lone beat, pausing and
turning every moment as though fearful
of crouchina assailant. Even among these
veteran infautrymsn left at Sandy. that