Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-06-09
DAILY STORY
DOUBLE DISCIPLINE.

nelU ten weeks Wnen IL TelurhSo "
Fort Russell 1t had lost thirty men,
traversed 900 miles of country and
been on short rations for days ana
days. The bonds of discipline had re-
Taxed, and the rank and file had
"slouched.'
Awaiting Company A was young
Lieutenant White, fresh from West
Point and bringing with him his high
ideas of discipline. He beheld the rag
ged men riding in, and his soul revolt
ed. There was less discipline than
among a gang of cowboys. The first
lieutenant was already away on leave,
and almost at once the captain OF Com
pany A took his departure, and this
left the cadet officer in full command
Of the sixty men. When he talked dis
Cipline to His fellow officers they ad-
vised him to give his men a rest for
few days and not push them. He elect
ed to take his own way, however. The
command had come riding In one morn
ing at 8 O'Clock. Next morning at the
same hour Company A was ordered
out to drill The men had not yet
picked the sand burs out of their hair
and the cactus spikes out of their fin
There was muttering and cursing, but
orders We're obeyed. Ehe officer went
among his men at quarters to crNicise
rusty guns and sabers and personal
appearance. and in day he had the
whole garrison wondering and talking
Company a was detailed to ride
down the trail for fifteen miles to
meet and escort n lot of army wagons
on their way up. 1t was not believed
that there was hostile Indian within
fifty miles of the fort. Lieutenant
White was II go in command, and it
was proud day for him. His troopers
were marshaled and remarshaled, and
ne rode away only when they sat
their saddles az If on exhibition at a
riding school.
Five miles down the road the Salt
Valley trail came in. The lieutenant
was riding ahead of the command.
and without order from him the troop
ers turned off the main trail. AS soon
as be discovered their action he rode
after them calling halt. No halt was
made. He rode nearer and shouted
louder. but not man halted or looked
back The aStouuded officer then pushed
to the front and, with Saber waving
above his head, commanded halt.
He and his horse We're pushed aside by
the men, who came riding steadily on.
Sergeant what in does this
mean?" he exclaimed as he forgot dis
cfpline for a moment and rode at Ser
Seant Harris.
Too much drill" quietly answered
the sergeant.
But this is mutiny-rank mutiny!
Halt! Halt! / command you to halt!
II you don't obey orders l will have
every man court martialedi"
No man halted. The lieutenant sat
his horse and cursed and ragged. AS
be came up with the men he drew his
revolver and fired its contents over
their heads and shouted for halt. No
attention was given him, but half a
moment later the sergeant repeated the |
words. and the command halted.
Men. | want TO know what this |
means? 2" said the lieutenant in Il hoarse |
voice and trembling down to his toes. |
You are off the road and you refuse |
TO obey orders. Are you DESERVING in |
body?"
Too much drill" answered every
man in chorus, and then the sergeant |
gave the word to move on.
The cadet officer could say nothing
in reply. He could not ride back TO the
fort alone and report that the company
had mutinied, and he could not exact |
obedience from the men where they l.
were He followed after the troop in a
maze, not knowing what step to take.
The problem was solved for him. Sud II
denly there was n rife shot ahead
quickly followed by three or four more,
and the bullets came singing over the
troopers heads. There were Indians
ahead.
Right and left wheel and take Gov
err" shouted the sergeant, and mo-
ment later the men were lined across
the road and had the shelter of rocks
and timber.
The young officer had chafed at the
thought that the campaign was over
and he had not had a hand In it. He
had been told that it might be two
years before he would have a chance
to see a hostile redSkin, and yet here II
they were before him and his company Il
had virtually mutinied and he had no
authority over them. He cursed and
she'd tears as he thought of Ii, and it
was like blow upon blow as he heard
the sergeants voice shouting: II
Extend right and left tanks! Fire
slow and don't waste your bullets, Il
Horse holders lead the horses to the
rearw Is
The cadet dashed forward at the ser
geant. His face was white, and his II
voice would not come, and the grim old z
officer pitied the boy *
rs he looked into his eyes.
"Your chance, sir" he said.
"And the men won't obey me, and II
I'M disgracedv' whispered the lieuten- N
ant
els 1t fight or drillT
For a moment the cadet hesitated. 1t
was hard for him to surrender, but Y
maybe he had been too hard on the
men. If the other officers were salts N
led with the discipline he ought to be.