Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-07

northeast corner had had an uncanny name
ever since the night of Pat Mullins mys-
FERROUS stabbing. Many man would glad
1y have Stunned sentry duty at that point,
but none dare confess to 1t. Partly as a
precaution. partly as protection to his sem
tries. the temporary commander had early
In the week sent out a big fatigue detail.
with knives and hatchets. to slice away
every clump of sage or grease wood that
could shelter a providing Apache for a
hundred yards out from the line. But the
man now on No. was palpably nervous
and distressed. in spite Of this fact. Tru-
man watched him a moment in mingled
compassion and amusement. and was just
turning aside to enter his open doorway
when the corporal held up a warning hand
Through the muff1tng sand of the roadway
In rear OF the quarters. tall, dark figure
was moving straight and swift toward
the post Of No. 4. and so far within that of
No. as to escape the latter's challenge.
The corporal sprung his rifle to the hollow
of his arm and started the next instant,
sped noislessly few yards in pursuit, then
abruptly halted. TITS the major, sir"
said he. embarrassed. as Truman Joined
him again. Cad. 1 hope No. won't firer'
Fire he did not. but his challenge came
with yell. "W-whocomesthere?"- three
words as one and that through chattering
teeth.
Commanding officer" they heard Plume
clearly answer then in lower tone, but
distinctly rebukeful What on earth's the
matter. No. 4? You called of very badly.
Anything disturbing you out here?"
The sentry's answer was humble of
mingled confusion and distress. How could
he own to his post commander that he was
scared? No. 8 now was to be seen swiftly
coming up the eastward front so as to be
within supporting or hearing distance-curi-
osity. not sympathy, impelling: and so there
was no less than five men. four of them old
and tried soldiers. all within fifty yards of
the angle made by the two sentry beats, all
wide awake, yet not one of their number
cn1.l6 LOTT foil f.aCf hot cfo Tod
on q sudden. down in Sudsville, down
among the southwark quarters of the line,
the hounds went rushing forth, barking
and baying excidedly. one and all heading
for the brink of the eastward mesa, yet
hating short as though afraid to approach
1t nearer. and then. darting up and down,
barking, smiling. challenging angrily, they
kept up their fierce alarm. Somebody or
something was out there in the darkness
perhaps at the very edge Of the blum. and
the dogs dare go no further. Even when
the corporal, followed by No. 5, came run
ming down the post. the hounds hung back.
Foote cooked his rifle and went crouching
forward through the gloom. but the voice
of the major was heard:
Don't go out there. corporal Call for
the guard" as he hurried in to his quar-
tiers In search of his revolver. Truman by
this time had run for his own arms and
together they reappeared on the post OF
No, g. as q sergeant, with half dozen
men. came painting from across the parade,
swift running to the scene.
'No. would have 1t that there were
Indians. or somebody skulxing about him
when was examining him a moment
ago." said Plume hurriedly. "Shut UP,
you brutesr' he yelled angrily at the near
est hounds. Scatter your men forward
there. sergeant, and see II we can find
anything Other men were coming, too.
by this time, and lantern was dancing
out from Dotys quarters. Byrne. pyjama-
clad and In slippered feet, shufiied out to
join the party as the guard. with rifles at
ready. bored their way out to the 'front.'
the dogs still suspiciously shining and
growing. For a moment or two no expla-