The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-03-09
A NIGHT ALARM

"HE abandoned Fort Pierce
Military Reservation was to be
opened for settlement. My
company was ordered to point
on the reserve opposite the town of
Pierce for the purpose of keeping the !
intrusive "sooner" in his place. We
reached our camping ground on New
Years Day, pitched tents and proceed
ed to make ourselves as comfortably
as our surroundings and temperature
of eighteen degrees below zero permit
ted. A canvas tent is not particularly
inviting abode in midwinter, but by
keeping up good fire is at least habit
able. Usually when a person prepares
for slumber all surplus clothing is re-
moved. In our case, however, we
reversed this order and put on every
thing we had before submitting our
selves to the tender mercies of the god
of sleep.
The only officer who accompanied
the command was our second-lieuten-
ant, lately graduated and appointed,
and known amongst the rank and file
as s'shave-tail." All new officers re-
ceive this title and it is equivalent to
the term "rookey" used in speaking of
an addition to the ranks. This officer
was very considerate of his mems COM
fort and on our first night in our new
quarters suffered in consequence. We
had made long march that day and
had worked hard getting the ground
in shape for permanent camp so
when night came all hands, except the
guard, turned in at an early hour. 1t
was my turn for guard and struck
the first relief. This brought me on
post at three a. m. Shortly after this
hour noticed light in the lieuten-
ants tent. This being too early for
him to turn out went up to the tent
and asked him if he was sick. "No,"
he replied, shut 1 am nearly frozen"
Then I opened up the flap and went in.
The fire was out and so was the wood.
He knowing that his men were tired
did not wish to disturb them by call
ing for further supply of fuel, so
tried to keep warm without it. Know
ing this and realizing how disagreea-
BILE the cold was did my utmost to
restrain my laughter, but the sight was
too ridiculous and 1T burst forth.
There he sat, huddled up in buffalo
coat, blanket over his head and shoul.
ders and nothing visible but one hand
and the end of his nose. The light
came from piece of candle about two
inches long. He was holding his fin.
gers near it's feeble flame and when he
thought they had absorbed little heat
they were carried to his nose and laid
tenderly upon that suffering part. ]
apologized for my unseemly mirth by
going to the guard-tent and getting
him supply of wood sufficient to keel
him comfortable until reveille.
Next day we improved our camp
and got things into order for pro
longed stay. N 10 "sooners" were seen o.
expected until spring and so for man!
days we had nothing to do but ordi
nary camp routine. Then came th'
first indications of spring, the rising
of the ice in the channel of the river
This was followed by chinook wind
that melted the snow and made ever,
little creek torrent. 1t took but /,
few days to make the river impossible
Not only from the water flowing owe
the ice, but from the danger of a break
up at any moment and crossing wa
strictly against orders. This was al
very well, but when our supply o
fresh meat gave out and bacon thre
times day appeared on our bill-ot
fare things took a different phase
Several of our men attempted to eros
in spite of orders, but after duckin
gave it up. One night number of U
were discussing the probability of th
appearance of bristles and tusks fror
our sustained pork diet when a sue
den call from sentry caused US t
perk up and listen.
Corporal of the guard, post No. 8
was the cry we heard repeated by th
! ~ ss s.