Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-07

ak or resounding wooden galleries, speedily reused first one sleeper, then another, and blinds began to fly open along the second-foor fronts, and white-robed forms to appear at the windows, and inquiring voices, male and female, hailed the passerby with What's the matter, sergeant" and the answer was all sufficient to rouse the entire garrison.
 Capt. Rays troop ordered out, sir" or ''ma'am," as the case might be. No need to add the well-worn cause of such night excursions-"In- dians.'
 The office was brightly lighted, and there, sleepy-eyed and silent, were gathered many of the officers about their alert commander. Ray was down at his stables, passing judg- ment on the mounts. Only 50 were to go, the best half hundred in the sorref troop, for it was to be forced march. Neither horse nor man could be taken unless in prime condition, for break down on part of either on the way meant delay to the entire command, or death by tor ture to the hapless trooper left be- hind. Small hope was there of march made unobserved, for Stab- ber's band of Ogallalas had been for weeks encamped within plain view. Less hope was there of Stabber's holding aloof now that his brethren at the Big Horn had declared for war. He was recalcitrant of the first magnitude, subchief who had never missed the warpath when the Sioux were afield, or the consolation trip to Washington between times. Where Stabber went his young men followed unquestioning. It was a marvel that Kennedy had succeeded in getting through. It meant that the Indian runners, or the Indian smokes and signals, had not at once so covered the country with scouts that couriers could by no possibility slip between them. But now the sig nal fire was gleaming at Eagle Butte, and. an answering blaze had fiared from Stabber's camp. Invisible from Fort Frayne, they had both been seen by shrewd non-commissioned officers, sent scouting up the Platte by Maj. Webb within half an hour of the coming of the alarm.
 Ray will push ahead at once," said Webb. to his silent subordinates. 'sYou see Col. Fodder has only two troops up there and he will need all his infantry to defend the post. I've wired to Laramie and to department headquarters and further orders will come before noon. Let all the cavalry be ready. Then if we push out, Dade, we leave Fort Frayne to you. They'll hardly venture south of the Platte this time."
 'Is--Mr. Field going with Capt. Ray?" presently ventured young Ross, who knew Ray had but one subaltern for duty at the moment, and whose soul was burning with eagerness to accompany the first troop to take the field.
 "No," said the major, shortly. Capt. Ray needs no more."
 "I only asked because Field isn't here, and l thought-maybe-" tum- bled Ross, ingloriously, but the mis- chief was done.
 "Mr. Field is-busy," answered the major, still more shortly, then red dened to his bushy brows, for at the doorway, in riding dress, and with face the color of parchment, stood the officer in question. It was mo- ment that threatened panic, but Webb met the crisis with marked aplomb.
 "Oh, Field" he cried, there's an- other matter. I want two good men to slip out at once and see how many of Stabber's people start or have started. It may be daybreak before they can tell. Sergt. Schreiber would be a tiptop man for one-and little Duffy. You tend to it."
 And so, mercifully, he sent the lad away until the crowd should have dispersed. Only Blake and Ray were with him when, after awhile, Mir. Field returned and stood silently be- fore them. We'll he knew that the post commander could hardly over look the absence of his adjutant at such a time.
 Have you anything to tell me, Field?" was the majors only query, his tone full of gentle yet grave re- proach.
 'T was restless. I could not sleep, sir. went out-purposely."
 "You know no horse can be taken from the stables at night except in presence of the sergeant or corporal of the guard"
 "I took none, sir" was the answer, and now both faces were white. 'I rode one of-Mr. Hays"
 For one moment there was no sound but the loud ticking of the big office clock. Then came the ques- tion:
 "Who rode the others, Field? The sentries say they heard three"
 There was another moment of si- fence. Ray stepped on tiptoe to the door as though he wanted not to hear. Blake looked blankly out of the window. Then the young soldier spoke.
 
 "I-csnnot tell you. sir"
 For full ten seconds the post com mander sat with grave, pallid face, looking straight into the eyes of his young staff officer. White as his senior. but with eyes as unfiinching, Field returned inc gaze. At last the