Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-10-01
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|. 6. BRAND
EDWARD MARSHALL
Copyright. 1903. by T. @. Mcclure


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Lieutenant Phillips, U. s. ". had
been inspecting government property
out in the corral, but the heat had
driven him into his tent, which was
pitched just on the edge of coffee
plantation.
It was at the time when our govern
ment was withdrawing from Porto
Rico the vast number of horses, army
wagons and other transportation para
| phernalia which had been necessary
during the war. Inspection duty is
only given to men who are thoroughly
trustworthy. Especially is this true in
Porto Rico. There were large guam
titles of government property there
after the surrender, most Of it In good
condition. The planters thereabouts,
who had lost a seasons crops through
the war, were anxious to cheapIyl re-
equip their plantations with wagons,
horses and mules. 1t was because the
honest gentlemen had a tendency to
offer inducements" to inspecting Of
ficers to condemn good property, which
the planters could afterward buy for
song at the auction, that especial
care was used in the selection of In
specting officers. Lieutenant Phillips
was one of the elect.
On such government property as is
condemned the 81. O." brand is placed.
81. c." means inspected and condemn
ed. 1t is not wise for civilian to have
in his possession any property which
bears the mark ~. S." and does not
also bear the mark 81 c." Both are
stenciled in black paint on tentage can
vas, blankets and such like, burned
into the bodies of wagons and other
wooden articles and branded on the
tanks of horses and mules.
Lieutenant Phillips kept the irons in
his own possession for fear they might
be used unscrupulously. He carried
them, with their brazier still half full
of hot Goals, to the rear of his tent SO
that what little breeze there was would
blow the heat away from him. Then
he removed his heavier garments.
It had been hard day for the lieu
tenant. Early in the morning he had
been chief witness at court martial
which had convicted an American sol
der of having cruelty treated his wife,
beautiful Porto Rican girl. The ac-
cused, Luigi Aramado, was swarthy
fellow of italian parentage.
Lieutenant Phillips remembered with
discomfort the fierce look the man had
thrown at him as, handcufed, he had
been led away to the guardhouse. But,
although the lieutenant had the pink
cheeks Of girl and never suspicion
of mustache upon his upper lip, he
had reputation for fearlessness.
Before he settled down to sleep he
released from the ventilated box a
pair Of little lizards. They are of the
variety called chameleons and can be
easily tanned by any one who win oc-
casionally give them sip Of sugar and
water, few flies or some other daiD-
.kiuisss ceassfsssA sesrz1 VI or
rs in Porto Rico so tanned them,
sNd Lieutenant Phillips was among
tl@ir number.
When he finally lay down on his
ca sp cot they took their stations, one
up a his pillow, one upon his chest.
Thy knew instinctively that he did
not like to have them on his face, for
whenever they trespassed on this terri
tory he moved restless1y, but their
presence near his face was quite suffi-
Gent to keep most of the flies away.
Willie the lieutenant was making all
these preparations for his siesta there
was an unpleasant eye watching him
through the open space left by the lift
ing OF the back flap of the tent The
eye was in the head of the man whom
the lieutenant had given evidence
against that morning. Luigi Aramado
had escaped. Below the eye, but Who'll
" hidden in the bush, there were two
hands. and in one of them there was
knife. The man was waiting until the
lieutenant should fall asleep.
The hnt's flaps moved lazily in the
sleepy freeze. Now and then one Of
the little lizards made lightning dart,
and FL had persisted. The lieutenant
slept peacefully. Everything was as it
should b when noon approaches in the
tropics.
Still tie figure crouched, watchful
and silelt. At length the man crept
forward i'll he was full in the tent;
thenx he topped and drew from his
blouse al tiny vial. He was near
enough tohave used the knife, but he
evidently hd other purposes. Perhaps
he wishedto gloat over his victim be-
fore the low FELL His glance had
fallen upo5 the brazier and the brand
| ing irons.
Slowly a d noiselessly he rose to his
feet. It WIS a mistake, for it startled
| the lizards. Disobeying their training,
they scamnred over the face Of the
sleeper.
It half wke him, and he looked up
lazily, but Store he could more than
catch gliIpse of the evil eyes and
cleaning blae, before he could halloo
for help, thdman flung himself upon
him and inthe lieutenant's nostrils
entered the leadly fumes Of chloro-
form. Then E lost consciousness.
The Italianfaised himself cautious
ly-thes stupoimight be feigned. But
Q moments Sent1ny relieved MS fears
In twinklinahe had bound the lieu
tenant hand al z. - rust 49,
into his mouth
hliLn wouldn't be enough" the
oes2gado huttered fiercely. "Fll mark
Aim for Lii, SO | will"
The lizahs meanwhile had darted up
on the Canvas of the tent. They had
done all tat they could in waking the
lieutenant They could not fight for
him.
i And while the lizards watched with
their beAdy eyes the intruder thrust
the irons into the brazier. The Lieu
tenants res were open now, for the
force * opiate was spent The des-
PER- ID and caught their I'M