The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-12-15

the branches had to be broken OF. We
had no axe; we never carried one on
pack mule then, and there is hardly
anything that can be carried on him
that is needed oftener. When | had
anything to do with the pack trains
in after years always carried at least
one axe in leather sling and spade.
While riding through the rain today
we were continually passing small
punches of cattle They belonged to
ranches away east of us and had wan
dered out here
Nearly every cow had a different
brand, some had none at all. They
were Still tame and would let a man
ride close enough to examine them,
but further west could be found thou
sands of them that we could not get
within mile Of; they had been born
wild Crawford would examine every
bunch we passed; he wanted to see II
any Of them had his brand on, he said.
This was what had brought him and
us here; he had seen no Indians, but
wanted a cavalry escort so that he
could come out here and look up his
and his neighbors' cows.
These men would not think of COM
ing out here alone. If they did they
would have no troable in seeing all the
Indians they wanted.
| noticed the Major watching Craw-
ford while he was engaged in taking
the census of these cows, and knew
that if Crawford did not find Indians
in a day or two he would hear from
the Major. The Major had risen from
the ranks and could swear not only
like the proverbial trooper, but like
half a dozen of them. He dare not
curse an enlisted man, and never did;
he would stand chance of being
contaminated if he had, or else have
to give the man fa had cursed an
apology in front of his troop. 1t was
given to me by another officer in the
presence of the Colonel once, after l
har reported this officer for cursing
me. But the Major could curse
teamster or citizen guide, and he often
did, and I expected Crawford to get
the full benefit of the Majors expe-
rience in the line Of cursing before ne
was week Older. When in camp
Crawford kept down among us. He
would not go near the Major unless
he was called, and we kept him busy
blowing about the Indians that ne had
killed. l had found ont from him that
he had been in the Confederate Army
of Northern Virginia, Lees army, and
l had been in the Army OF the Poto-
mac at the same time, SO got him
started telling about the time that
1--WE uns had fit you uns," and we put
in some hours fighting the War OF the
Rebellion over again.
The weather had cleared UP this
afternoon and gave the ground a
chance to dry. I had been thinking
that would have to sleep tonight
seated on my saddle with my back to
a tree; l often had to sleep that way.
We carried no bed blanket; we were
not allowed to put one on the horse;
l would not put it on anyhow; l never
carried anything on him | could do
without; l did not want to make a
1t had been good weather when we
left the post and no one had an over
coat along with him. had rubber
coat, though few were worn then.
Soon after dark tonight we were
gathered around the fire and Crawford
was giving US an extended account Of
the Indians he had killed before the
war"-he had not got to the ones he
had killed after the breakup yet.
When he was about in the middle Of
this interesting narrative the sentry
on post outside of the horses fired a
shot We picked up our carbines and
rem out to form a line out beyond the
herd. Crawford had followed me with
his rifle and I thought he had fallen
in line until heard noise behind me
as stood in line in my place on the
left. Looking around saw Crawford
down on his knees here among the
horses. with his hands pressed to-
gether; he was busy praying.
| wanted to tell him to postpone
that prayer and fall in here and shoot
a few more Indians but was not in
command. There was sergeant here
who ranked me, and had l begun to
give orders ne would soon let me know
that he was here. The Major had not
got out here yet He had been outside
of camp somewhere when the shot
was fired, and came running out now
and almost fell over Crawford. What
he said to Crawford need not be re-
peated here. His remarks would have
to be principally in dashes if they
IF Thorn nnnId ha