Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-10-25
*NORTHERN *1IGHTS+
FROM The ROMANTIC AMERICAN DRAMA.
THE NOVELIZ BY A. D. HALL.
CHAPTER XIV.
Ghastly Tidings.

memorable in the annals Oh hlsloiy'
when one of the most gallant oftcers
that ever gave his allegiance to the
United States, met his death, fighting
against more fearful odds than the
Greeks had to encounter at Thermopy-
lac or the famous Light Brigade at
Balaklava.
The Indians were on the war path'
there was no doubt Of that. Settle
ment after settlement, outlying rancn
after outlying ranch had been attack
ed. and at least. after much discus
sion, much -shallying among the
powers that be at Washington, 1t was
resolved that some decisive action
must be taken This was good news
to both officers and men. who had
hitherto been forced to act only on the
defensive, but alas. as the events prov
ed, the decision came too late. More
over, some one blundered and blunder-
ed inexcusably.
Still, on this Sunday afternoon, noth-
ing of this was known at the camp
upon Goose Creek, where was in COM
mand that brave, intelligent officer,
General Crook, to whom the Indians
had given the name Of "The Gray
Fox" a sobriquet which had been en-
Enthusiastically adopted by the men OF
the United States army.
The Gray Fox knew that action was
at last to be taken, that very day In
fact, and as a war-horse sniffs the
battle from afar, so was this gallant
soldier eager, alert, anxious for the
moment to come when at the head OF
his men he could move forward to deal
out merited retribution upon the cow
ardly redskins for their savage dep
relations.
There was little, however, on Cen
eral Crooks face, as he sat that cloud
less day in front OF his tent. to show
anything Of what he was evolving in
his brain.
Near him stood a young officer to
whom he had been imparting certain
Instructions and some distance back
but still within call was an orderly,
waiting for such commands as might
be given him.
Not far away, monotonously and
with no object whatever carrying
cannon balls back and forth, under the
guard and watchful eye of soldier
was a young man, who, with eyes new
er raised, performed his task, as heart
breaking one as that Of Sisyphus OF
mythology, continually rolling up the
stone which as regularly fell back.
This young man was Wallace Gray,
who, as Horton had surmised, had been
condemned to that punishment worse
than death-the pyramids.
You thoroughly understand your
instructions, lieutenant" said General
Crook.
Yes, general"
Give your men all the rest you can
between this and marching time"
knowing FULL we'll what may be before
them. Orderly"
The man called for stepped forward
and saluted.
my compliments to Captain Strong.
Tell him to report to headquarters at
once
The orderly again saluted and de-
parted TO fulfill the command given
him.
by the way" continued "The Gray
Fox" turning again to Lieutenant
Varnum, "any news from Fort Terry
Nothing, general, since the main
body under Captain Markham moved
north to reinforce Gibbon. The wound
received by Colonel Gray at Rosebud
of course kept him behind"
At this. the condemned man paused
in his monotonous task and, with
cannon ball poised in his hands, stop
ped to listen.
Colonel Gray is an old and valued
friend of mine," said General Crook.
II trust the wound may not prove Sc
riOus"
"Sh," said Varnum. warningly, with
a glance toward Wallace, who at once
resumed his occupation. BEG pardon
general, but he may hear u.s."
He, Who?" exclaimed the general
in surprise.
The prisoner"
We'll, what them"
Varnum approached close to his
commanding officer and said in tone
which could only reach the ears OF
the person addressed:
L. hi1t he iC
Colonel Gray's son."
This was news to Crook. and volun-
tarily he cast quick glance at the
young man, moving back and forth al
his cruel, fruitless task.
What? the deserter?" he exclaimed
in shocked. incredulous tone. y
thought his name was Jordan"
That was the name under which
he enlisted"
"A son OF Colonel Jack Gray cow
ard and a deserter! Varnum. l can
scarcely believe It,"
1T Is true, nevertheless. general
Crook knitted his brOws in refiec-
ton. He knew Varnum, and was quite
sure that he would not make such a
statement unless he was absolutely
certain Of it's truth.
UNI" he said at last. He has beer
in your charge, l believer"
Yes, general. for the past two
weeks"
What has been his cOnduct?'
Toward the end of the first week
he acted like madman and begged
and prayed to be shot Since then'
singular calm has settled upon him
He has spoken scarcely a word FOL
four days. He neither eats nor sleeps
The guard finds him like dumb an
imal waiting every morning. patient
ready to be led to his task, and wheI
night comes it is difficult to make hin
understand that it is time to turn in
He can't last much longer. You vii
pardon, me, general" feeling that III
was rather over-stepping the bounds
NJ his authority. but yet his pity get