Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-24


before him, with freshly awakened in.
terest. The gaze Of the other falter
ed, then came back courageously.
81 recognize you now" Custer said
quietly. Am to understand you
are again in the service?'
my presence here is purely acct.
dental, Gen. Custer. The opportu-
nifty came to me to do this work, and
very gladly accepted the priv.
ilege"
The commander hesitated, scarcely
knowing what he might be justified in
saying to this man.
Its brave deed, well performed"
he said at last, with soldierly cordial
ity, although can hardly offer you
fitting reward"
There is little desire" he re-
piled, slowly, "and that is to be per-
mitted to ride once more into action
In the ranks Of the Seventh.
The true-hearted, impulsive. manly
soldier fronting him reddened to
/ the roots of his fair hair, his proud
eyes softening.
Spoken like true soldier" he e1-
/ claimed a new warmth in his voice.
"You shall have your wish. Take po-
, sition In Calhoun's troop yonder."
Hampton turned quietly away. lead
! ing his horse, yet had scarcely ad-
vanced three yards before Custer
halted him.
q shall be pleased to talk with you
again after the fight" he said, briefly,
as though half doubling the propriety
of such words.
The other bowed, his face instantly
Frightening. II thank you sincerely"
/ The perplexed commander stood
motionless, gazing after the receding
/ figure, his face grown grave and
1 thoughtful Then he turned to the
i wondering adjutant beside him.
"You never knew him, did you,
/ Cook?"
| II think not, sir; who Is he?"
capt Nolan-you have heard the
story"
rs that so?" he exclaimed, in evil
dent surprise. He has manly face"
| "Ay, and he was as fine soldier as
ever fought under flag" declared
Custer, frankly. Poor devil. The
hardest service was ever called upon
to perform was the day we broke him.
wonder If Calhoun will recognize
the face; they were good friends
once"
He stopped speaking, and for q
time his field-glasses were fastened
upon small section of the Indian vii
lage nestled in the green valley
81 doubt II many warriors are
there" he commented at last. "They
may have gone up the river to inter-
cept Reno's advance, and If so, this
should be our time to strike. Return
to your commands, gentlemen, and
with the order of march see person
ally that your men move quietly. We
| must strike quick and hard, driving
the wedge home with single blow.
That will be all at present, gentle
men; you will require no further in
structions until we deploy. Capt. Cal
houn, just word"
The captain thus directly address
! ed, handsome, stalwart man of mid
die age, refined In his horse and
waited.
Captain, the messenger who has
just brought us dispatches from Chey-
enne is civilian, but has requested
permission to have share in this
coming fight. l have assigned him to
your troop"
Calhoun bowed.
II thought to spare you any pos
sfbla embarrassment by saying that
the man is not entirely unknown to
you"
May l ask his name9"
Robert Nolan"
The strong, lion-like face flushed
under it's tan, then quickly lit up with
smile. Il thank you. Capt. Nolan
will not suffer at my hands"
He rode straight toward his troop.
his eyes searching the ranks until
they rested upon the averted face Of
Hampton. He pressed forward, and
leaned from the saddle, extending q
gauntleted hand. Nolan, old man
welcome back to the Seventh"
For an instant their eyes met,
those Of the officer filled with manly
sympathy, the others moistened and
dim, his face like marble. Then the
two hands clasped and chung, in grip
more eloquent than words. It was
Calhoun who spoke.
II mean 1t all, Nolan. From that
day to this have believed in you
have held you friend"
For moment the man reeled;
then. as though inspired by a new
born hope, he sat firmly erect, and
lifted his hand in salute. "Those are
words have longed to hear spoken
for Is years. They are more than
life to me. May God help me to be
worthy of them Oh, Calhoun, Cal
houn!"
For brief space the two remained
still and silent, their faces rejecting
repressed feeling Then the voice OF
command sounded out in front; Cal
houn gently withdrew his hand from
the others grasp. and with bowed
head rode slowly to the front OF his
troops.
In columns Of four, silent, with not
canteen rafting. with scabbards
Thrust upder fhe;r stirr1,p feathers