Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-08
CHAPTER V.

time for guard mounting and the re- ports of the officers-of-the-day. He had reason to be on the parade at the assembly of details" not so much to watch the work of the post adjutant pro tempore, as the effect of the sudden and unlooked-for change on certain of the customary spectators. He had swiftly ridden to the oamp of the recreant Stabber and purposely demanded speech with that influential chieftain. There had been the usual attempt on part of the old men left in charge to hoodwink and to temporize, but when sharply told that Stabber, with his warriors, had been. seen riding away toward Eagle Butte at three in the morning, the sages calmly confessed judgment, but declared that they had no other purpose than hunt for drove of elk reported seen about the famous Indian race course in the lower hills of the Big Horn. Circling the camp, however, Webb had quickly counted the pony tracks across the still dewy bunchgrass of the bench, and found Schreiber's estimate substantially correct. Then, stopping at the lodge of Stabber's uncle, old Spotted Horse," where that superannuated but still sagacious chief was squatted on his blanket and ostentatiously pufing long Indian pipe, Webb de- manded to know what young men re- mained in the village. Over hundred strong, old men, squaws and children. they thronged about him, silent, big eyed and attentive, Schreiber inter- preting as best he could, resorting to the well-known sign language when the crafty Sioux professed ignorance of the meaning of his words:-
 "No young men. All gone," was the positive declaration of the venerable head of the bailiwick, when compelled at last to answer. But Schreiber had studied the pony herd and knew bet ter. Moreover, not more than six of their ponies had been led along with the war party that set forth in the early hours of the moonlit morning. Others, both men and mounts, un- .avoidably left behind, would surely be sent forward at the first possible opportunity, and, much as Webb might wish to turn back to capture the party, well as he might know that other bands were in revolt and Stab- ber gone to help them, he was pow erless under his orders to interfere until by some openly hostile act these laggards of the little band invited his reprisal. The rule of the road, as prescribed by the civil authorities. to which the soldier had sworn obedi- ence, being practically, Don't defend until you are hit. Don shoot until you are shot,"
 Webb came cantering back assured that these frowsy, malodorous lodges concealed, perhaps, half a score of fighting men who were a menace to the neighborhood, and who could be counted on to make it more than in teresting for any couriers that might have to be sent between the fort and the forces at the front. Calling Schreiber to his side, as, with long, easy stride their trained mounts, went loping swiftly homeward, he gave in structions the veteran heard with hndling eyes. Then, parting from him at the corrals, the commander rode on and dismounted at his quar- ters just as the trumpeters were |, forming on the broad. grassy level of the parade.
 ! It was the hour when all the girls were out, looking fair and fresh as daisies, and while the mothers se- dately gossiped along the row of broad verandas, their daughters blithely chatted in little groups, or, as might often be, paced slowly with downcast eyes and mantling cheeks at the side of some young gallant who had no thought for other duty than that of the thrilling moment. And here they were, well-nigh dozen of them. of all ages from 12 to 20. as the major sent his mount to the stables and made quick survey of the scene, and a moments glance was sufficient to show that among them all there was stir and excitement beyond that which would be caused by so common an incident as the sending forth of a troop on scout. It was the fact that Field had gone and that young Ross was acting in his place that set them all to speculating on the cause. One of their number. promenading with Lieut.. Hartley. glanced up at Maj. Webb as they passed him by, with such a word of mingled question and reproach in her soft blue eyes that his heart for the moment smote him. He had never seen Esther Dade look ing so lsnguid or wan. yet more of hersand for her he had been thinking during the week gone by than of any other girl in or out of the army. To- day. however, there was another he eagerly sought to see. and. with | something akin to keen disappoint- ment. noted that she was not among the stroIIers along the board walk or the chatting groups about the steps and eatewsys. Nor once during her brief visit had she as yet missed guard mounting. Now her absence vas siraEfeant. In the very eyes of i the little party hastening toward him -three young girls and a brace of subalsern.-he read question and < eross-auextion. and was thankful to see Hay. the trader. trudging up the yak to join him So seldom did the old frontiersnsa enter the quad r.nxt. ths. peOple remarked upon his