The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-08-26

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bearer, reigning in his horse, his lip.
white but resolute, strotted straight VI
the slope toward him. Custer wheel
ed, annoyed at the interruption, and
Hampton swung down from the sad:
die, Ills rein flung across bis arm, took
a single step forward, lifting his hand
in salute, and held forth the sealed
packet
Dispatches, sir" he said, simply,
standing modonless as a statue.
The commander, barely glancing
toward him, instantly tore open the
long Official envelope and ran his eyes
over The dispatch amid ahush in the
conversation.
Gentlemen" he commented to the
little group gathered about him, yet
without glancing up fromthe paper in
bis hand, Crook was dictated over
on the Rosebud the 18th, and
forced to retire. That will ac-
count for the unexpected number Of
hostiles fronting US UP here, Cook;
but the greater the task the greater
the glory. All, 1 thought as much. I
am advised by the department. to
keep in close touch with Terry and
Gibbons, and to hold of from making
direct attack until infantry can
arrive in support. Rather late in the
day, Itake it, when care already
within easy rlde.shot. 1see nothing
in these orders to interfere with our
present plans, nor any military .neces-
sity for playing hide aud seek all
summer in these hills. That looks
like q big village down yonder, but I
have led the dandy Seventh into 9th.
ers just as large"
He stopped speaking, and glanced
up inQulringly into the face of the
silent messenger, apparently mistak-
ing, him for one Of his own men.
Where did you get thls?'
Cheyenne, sir"
"What! Do you mean to say you
brought 1t through from there%
"sllent Murphy carriedit as far as
the Powder river. He went crazy
there, and / was compelled to strap
Linn. / brought it the rest Of the
way"
"Where is Murphy"
"Back with the pack train, sir. l
got him through alive, but entirely
gone In the head"
run across many hostiles in that
regionH"
"They were thick this side the Rose.
bud; all bucks and travelling north"
"Sioux?"
mostly, sir; but / saw one band
wearing Cheyenne war bonnets."
A puzzled look slowly crept into
the strong face Il the abrupt ques-
toner, his stern, commanding eyes
rtudylng the man standing motionless
before him, with freshly awakened in.
terest The gaze Of the other falter-
ed, then came back courageously.
"Irecognize you now,9Custer said,
quietly. Am to understand you
are again in the servlceH"
"Biy 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 hesltated, scarcely
knowing what he might DO justified In
saying to this man.
"Itsa brave deed, well performed"
he said at last, with soldlerly cordial
ity, although j can hardly offer you
q fitting reward"
"There is little / desire" he re.
piled, slowly. land tina. Is to be per-
mitted.to ride once more into, action
in the ranks of the Seventh"
The true-hearted, impllsiye. manly
soldier fronting him Redeemed to
the roots Of his fair hair his proud
eyes softentng.
spoken like true soldier" he ex-
claimed, a new warmth In his VOICE.
t'You shall have your wish. Take po.
sition in caihoun's troop yonder!
Hampton turned quietly away, lead
ing his horse, yet had scarcely adj
yanced three yards before Custer
halted him. j
81 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
thoughtful. Then he turned to the
wondering adiutant beside him.
'You never knew him, did you,.
.Cookg
81 think not, sir; whoIs he?"
"capt Nolan-you have heard the
story
as that so?" he exclaimed, in evi.
dent surprise. He has manly face"
LAY, and he was as fine soldier as
ever fought under a flag" declared
Custer, frankly. Poor devil. The.
hardest service ] was ever called upon
to perform was the day We broke him.
/ wonder II Calhoun will recognize
the face; they we're good friends
once"
He stopped speaking, and for a
time his feld-glasses were fastened
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