Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-04

subaltern might require in that desert land
had been reduced to ashes before their
owners eyes. He had not saved so much
as a Shoe His watch. lying on the table
by his bedside. silk handkerchief and II
little scrap of note. written in girlish
hand and carried temporarily IN the breast
pocket. were the only items ne had man
aged to bring with him into the open air.
He was still gasping. gagging. half strang-
ling. when Captain Cutler accosred him to
know If he could give the fainteSt explana-
ton of the starting of so strange and peril
GUS fire. and Blakely. remembering the
stealthy footsteps and that locked or bolt
ed door, could not but say he believed IL
incendiary, yet could think OF no possible
motive
1t was daybreak as the little group of
spectators, women and children of the gar
rfson, began to break up and return 10
their homes, all talking excitedly, all in
tolerant of the experiences of others, and
conferred solely in the narrative of their
own. Leaving dozen men with buckets.
readily filed from the acequia which turn
ed the old water wheel just cross the post
of No. 4. and sending the big water wagon
down to the stream for another liquid load.
the infantry went back to their barracks
and early coffee. The drenched blankets.
one by one, were stripped from the gable
end Of Truman's quarters, every square
inch of the paint thereon being now patch
of tiny blisters, and there, as the dawn
broadened and the pallid light took on
again a tinge of rose. the officers gathered
about Blakely in his scorched and soaked
pyjamas. extending both coincidence and
congratulation.
THE question is. Blakely." remarked
Captain Westervelt dryly. will you go to
Frisco to refit now. or wait till Congress
reimburses?" whereat the scientist was OBJ
served to smile somewhat ruefully. The
question is, Bugs" burst In young Doty ir-
repressibly. will you wear this rig, or
Apache full dress, when you ride after
Wren? The runners start at g. whereat
even the rueful smile was observed to van
ish, and without answer Blakely turned
away. stepping gingerly into the heated
sand with his bare white feet.
Don't bother about dousing anything
else. sergeant" said he presently. to the
soldier supervising the work of the bucket
squad. THE iron box should be under
what's left Of my desk-about there" and
he indicated charred and steaming heap.
visible through a gap in the doubly-baked
adobe that had once been the side window.
Lug that out as soon as you can cool
things off, I'll probably be back by that
time" Then. turning again to the group of
officers. and ignoring Doty--Blakely ad-
dressed himself to the senior.
Captain Cutler" said he. Il can fit my
self out at the troop quarters with every
thing need for the field, at least. and wire
to San Francisco for what I shall need
when we return. l shall be ready to go
with Ahorah at 6.
+ There was a moment of silence. Embar-
rassment showed plainly in almost every
vious effort. Everybody realized that
Blakely. despite severe personal losses. had
been the directing head in checking the
progress of the flames. Truman had borne
admirable part, but Blakely was at once
leader and actor He deserved well of his
commander. He was still far from strong.
He was weak and weary. His hands and
face were scorched and in places blistered,
yet. turning his back on the ruins of his
treasures, he desired to go at once to join
his comrades in the presence OF the enemy.
He had missed every previous opportunity
of sharing perils and battle with them. He
could afford such loss as that no longer, In
view of what he knew had been said. ne
had every right. so thought they all. to go.
yet Cutler hesitated. When at last he
spoke 1t was to temporize.
You re in no condition for field work. Mr..
Blakely." said he. THE doctor has 30 as