The Monte Vista journal., 1906-07-28

huts ought to bet was pitch dark
until his head ached. He adhered
rigidly to the advice given him by the
man he had relieved; refrained from
coughing; did not bulge from the tree
an inch; grasped his gun-at full cock
with both hands; thus he stood for
four mortal hours. Four hours! they
seemed Observation-Disclosures The
bats fitting past struck terror to his
heart-until he remembered there was
such thing as bats. The first boot OF
an owl caused him to run-until he
realized It was an owl. But might it
not be a signal? What could be easier
than for a confederate to hCot like an
owl-to lull him into fancied security,
pounee on him, disarm him and cut his
throat? The owls boot was listened
to with an earnestness that would have
served brigade.
A twig swapping seemed as loud to
the listener now as the cracking OF a
saw-log. Every sense was tense. The
guard on dangerous post, resolved
not 10 be caught mapping. yet unused
TO midnight vigils, exhausted his fac
ulties before the first hour passed.
The remaining hours were simply tor
ture. He caught himself dozing-he.
on post of danger-absolutely dog
Ing. Time and again he was within
an ace of falling-only his grasp on
his musket prevented 1t, His eyelids
were weighted with tons of sand-of
lead. 1t was impossible to keep his
eyes open.
II he dare walk! II he could walk
around the tree. II he dare sit-or
hum 2 low tune! But he was not n
tobacco chewer-could not even rumi-
nate like a COW in the shade.
Lights cleaned here and there
through the trees. They might be
tire-aies-ani they might not What
If they were not? Would the RELIEF
never come?
1t is always the darkest before dawn.
l.. thought there was darkness sufi-
| cient that morning for half a dozen
| dawnings. He wondered II all war
was like his experience. IL could
make a man gray or bald-headed in
year or less time. Then he Won
dered who was sleeping in his bed
II was a mighty cCm ortablc bel. II
he ever got home safe he'd compll-
men: that bed in a way
The guard on the dangerous post
was sound asleep by this time; IS
sound as though his head was lying
on his pillow. He stood with his
hands grasping his ~ n near the mug
gle. his chin resting on the muzzle.
and his back against the tree. The
stiffness was profound. when sudden.
ly. AMI without an instants warning.
sound like that OF man falling
from a great height smote the calm
morning air. The guard jumped
| jumped straight up at least six inches.
and settled lack In his tracks with
every sense IA alert Ms though his
souls salvation depended on their In
slant and effective exercise.
A mani And lodging in tree like
that. 1t was not possible he made
that noise Jumping. Gould II be-
Yes, i was possible the confederate
had droppei-iell from his percn.
In van the guard prickcd up his
ears. No sound was heard. Yes, there
was something rustling In n field near
by. Would he shoutg No, He would
. iirc his gun on, Pooh! and he laughed
out. The man on dangerous post
concluded to keep his own COUNSEL.
tie was glad he did.
When the relief came along the cor
poral was laughing and talking. IL,
must be great country for c0on hunt
ing lie saw one ms big as shoa'
strike into cornhe!d down the road
mile or two
l.. listened and smiled. lie was i'm.
menseiy relieved In u double sense.
The sound-,he appalling sound-'hat
startled him was explained. A coon
had dropped. with Nil the weight Of 20
or 10 pounds. from III. tree near him.
and ran away through the cornaeld.