Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-24
CHAPTER xxxlll.
The Old REGIMENT.

| tentiOn everything but the business
that had brought him there. He ex-
perienced no fear. no premonltion OF
coming disaster, yet the reawakened
plainsman in him kept him sufficient
ly wary and cautious. He possessed
a soldiers proud confidence in his reg
iment-the supposition that the old
fighting Seventh could be defeated was
impossible; the Indian did not ride
those uplands who could do the deed!
Then there came to him . nameless
dread, that instructive shrinking
which a proud, sensitive man must
ever feel at having to face his old
companions with the shadow OF a
crime between. In his memory he
saw once more low-ceilfnged room,
having a table extending down the
center, with grave-faced men, dressed
in the full uniform of the service.
looking at him amid silence like
unto death; and at the head sat a
man with long fair hair and mus
tache. his proud eyes never to be for
gotten. Now, after silent years. he
was going to look into those accus-
ing eyes again. He pressed his
hand against his forehead, his body
trembled; then he braced himself for
the interview, and the shuddering cow
ard in him shrank back.
Away to the left something was
moving. dim, shapeless dash Of
color. It might be Benteen. but of
Keno's columns he could perceive
nothing, nor anything Of Clusters ex-
cepting that broad track across the
prairies marked by his horses hoofs.
This track Hampton followed, press
Ing his fresh mount to increased
speed, confident that no Indian spies
would be lettering so closely in the
rear Of that body Of cavalry, and be-
coming fearful lest the attack should
occur before he could arrive.
He dipped over a sharp ridge and
came suddenly upon the rear guard
They were little squad Of dusty,
brown-faced troopers, who instantly
wheeled into line at sound of ap-
preaching boots. the barrels of their
lowered carbines glistentng in the sun.
With swing. Of the hand and a
hoarse shout of dispatches! he was
beyond them, bending low over his
saddle pommel, his eyes on the dust
cloud of the moving column. The
extended line of horsemen, riding in
columns Of four, came to a sudden
halt, and he raced on. A little squad
of officers. several of their number
dismounted, were out in front, stand
ing grouped just beyond the summit
of a slight elevation, apparently look
ing of into the valley through some
cleft in the bluff beyond Standing
among these, Hampton perceived the
long fair hair, and the erect figure
clad in the well-known frontier cos
tune, Of the man he sought-the
proud, dashing leader of light cav
airy, that beau ideal of the sabreur,
the one he dreaded most, the one he
loved best-Custer. The commander
stood, field-glasses In hand, pointing
down into the valley, and the dispatch
bearer, reigning in his horse, his lips
white but resolute, trotted straight up
the slope toward him. Custer wheel.
ed, annoyed at the interruption, and
Hampton swung down from the sad
die, his rein flung across his arm, took
a single step forward, lifting his hand
in salute, and held forth the sealed
packet.
Dispatches, sir" he said simply,
standing motonless as statue.
The commander, barely glancing
toward him, Instantly tore open the
long Official envelope and ran his eyes
over the dispatch amid hush in the
conversation.
Gentlemen" he commented to the
little group gathered about him, yet
without glancing up from the paper in
his hand, Crook was defeated over
on the Rosebud the 18th, and
forced to retire. That will ac-N
count for the unexpected number OF
hostiles fronting us up here, Cook;
but the greater the task, the greater
the glory. All, thought as much. l
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, I take 1t, when we are already
within easy rife-shot l see nothing
in these orders to interfere with our
present plans. nor any military neces-
sity for playing hide and seek all
summer in these hills. That looks
like big village down yonder. but I
have led the dandy Seventh into 9th
ers just as large"
He stopped speaking. and glanced
up inquiringly into the face of the
silent messenger. apparently mistak-
ing him for one OF his own men.
Where did you get this?"
Cheyenne, sir"
What! DO you mean to say you
brought it through from there?"
Silent Murphy carried it as far as
the Powder river. He went crazy
there, and I was compelled to strap
him. l brought 1t the rest OF the
way"
Where is Murphy"
Back with the pack train. sir. I
got him through alive. but entirely
gone in the head"
Run across many hostiles In that
region?"
They were thick this side the Rose
md. all hurku md travelling north"