Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-06

FROM THE REAR GALLERY OF
 HIS QUARTERS, MAJOR WEBB
 WATCHED THE PAIR.
 ters. The major awas already awake and half dressed. Gall the adju- tant," was all he said, on reading the dispatch, and the sergeant sped away. In less than five minutes he was back. see
 T could get no answer to my knock or ring, sir, so I searched the house. The adjutant isn't there!"
 For a moment the major stood in silence; then, briefly saying, Gall , Capt. Ray" turned again to the dim ly-lighted hallway of his commodious quarters, (the women thought it such a shame there should be no ''lady of the house. for the largest and finest of the long line known as officers Row,") while the sergeant of the guard scurried away to the soldier home of the senior cavalry captain on duty at the post. When the major again came. forth his field glasses were in his hand and he hurried down the steps and out into the broad sheen of the moonlight when he caught sight of the courier seated on the horseblock at the gate, wearily leaning his head upon his gauntleted hand. Webb stopped short:
 Come right in here, my lad," he cried, 'I want to speak with you." and followed slowly by the soldier, he entered his parlor, and whirled an easy chair in front of the open fireplace. Sit right down there now, and I'll be with you in minute," he added; hustled into the rear room and presently reappeared with de- canter and glass; poured out a stiff tot of Monongahela; "A little water?" he asked, as the troopers eye bright ened gratefully. A little water was added and off came the right hand gauntlet. 'I drink the majors health and long life to him." said the sol dier, gulping down the fluid without so much as wink. Then, true to his training, set down the glass and stood strictly at attention.
 "You've had nothing to eat since yesterday morning, I'll be bound," said Webb. "Now, I've got to see some of my officers at once. You make yourself at home here. You'll find cold beef, bread, cheese, pickles, milk, if you care for it, and pie right there in the pantry. Take the lamp in with you and help yourself. If you want another nip. there's the decan- ter. You've made splendid time. Did you meet no Indians?"
 Not one, sir, but saw smokes at sunset out toward Eagle Butte"
 Your name-I see you belong to Capt. Truscott's troop"
 Kennedy, sir; and thank the ma ior."
 Then I will leave you in charge until you've had your fill," said the commander. Then go over to 'F' Troops quarters and get bed. Tell anybody who comes I've gone to the flag staff." With that the major stalked from the room, followed by the Irishman's adoring eyes. A moment later he stood by the tall white staff at the edge of the north ward bluff, at whose feet the river swept by in musical murmurings. There he quickly focused his glass. and gazed away westward mp the Platte to where but the evening be- fore a score'of indian lodges dotted the other bank. perhaps two miles away. The September moon was at its full and, in that rare, cloudless atmosphere. flooding the valley with it's soft, silvery light so that close at hand, within the limits of the gar rison, every object could be almost as distinctly seen as in broad day light, but, farther away, over the low lands and the river bottom and the rolling prairie stretching tothenorth- ern horizon. the cottonwoods along the stream or in the distant swales made only black blotches against the vague, colorIess surface. and the bold bluffs beyond the reservation limits south of the flashing waters, the sharp. sawlike edge of the distant mountain range that barred the way to the west, even the cleancut out lines of Eagle Butte. the landmark of the northwsrd prairie, visible for 50 miles by day, were now all yelled in some intangible filsment that screen ed them from the soldiers searching gaze. Later in the season on such a night. their erests would gleam with radiance almost intolerable. the slistening sheen of their sPOtless crown of snow. All over this broad e1psnss of upland prairie and wood ed river he'd and boldly undulsting bIuf line not 90 much ss a spark of fire peePed through the wing of night to tell the presence of human way farer. white. hslfbre-d or Indian even where the Sioux had s-armed. perhaps sno strong. at sunset of the day gone bv.
 It was to Ray he prouptlv opened his heart. as that veteran of dozen Indian esmpaigns. then drawing his fourth -fozT.- cane hasse1ing out to foin the eoumsnder-
 Heres eonfrT.sfion If tt. tele- gran Read that. Ray ssd Webs,- handing hTun the di<pet-h frgn Fort Beecher. I1en cune vish ns te