Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-31
CHAPTER VIII.
The Old RePiueut.


everything but the business that had
brought him there. No lingering thought of
Nadia, or Of the miserable Murphy was
permitted to interfere with the serious work
before him. To be once again with the old
It'll was itself inspiration; to ride with them
into battle was the chief desire of 2nis
heart. 1t a dream of years. which he
had never supposed possible of fulfillment
and he rode rapidly forward. his lips smil-
ing, the sunshine Of monday lighting up
his face.
He experienced no fear, no premontion of
coming disaster yet the reawakened plains
man in him kept him sufficiently wary and
cautious. The faint note of discomfort ap-
parent In Brant's concluding words-doubt-
less merely an echo of that ambitious otri-
GERS dislike at being. put on guard over
the pack train at such moment-awoke
no response in his mind. He possessed a
soldiers proud confidence in his regiment
, the superstition that the old fighting 7th
could be defeated was impossible; the In
dams did not ride those uplands who could
do the deed! Then there came to him Q
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 a low-ceiled
room, having a table extending down the
center. with grave-faced men. dressed in
the full uniform of the service, looking at
him amid a silence like unto death; and at
the head sat man with long, fair hair and
mustache, his proud eyes never to be forgot
ten: Now. after silent years. he was going
to look into those accusing eyes again. He
pressed his hand against his forehead, his
| body trembed; then he braced himself for
the interview, and the shuddering coward
in him Shrank back.
He had become wearied of the endless
vista Of desert, rock and plain. Yet now 1t
strangely appealed to him IN its beauty.
About him were those uneven, rolling hills,
like last storm-lashed sea, the brown
crests devoid of life. yet with depressions
between sufficient to conceal multitudes.
Once he looked down through wide cleft
in the face of the bluff. and could perceive
the head of the slowly advancing pack train
far below Away to the left something was
moving, a dim. shapeless dash of color. 1t
might be Benteen. but of Reno's columns
he could perceive nothing, nor anything of
Clusters excepting that broad track across
the prairies marked by his horses hoofs.
This track Hampton followed, pressing 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 becoming 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
a little squad Of dusty, brown-faced troop
ers, who instantly wheeled into line at
sound of approaching hoofs, the barrels of
their lowered carbines glistening in the sun.
With swing of the hand, and a hoarse
II,
bending low over his saddle pommel. his
eyes on the dust cloud of the moving col
umn. The extended line Of horsemen, rid
ing in column of fours, came to a sudden
halt. and he raced swiftly on. A little squad
Of officers several Of their number dis
mounted, were out in 'front.' standing group
ed just below the summit Of a slight eeva-
ton, apparently looking off 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 costume, of the
man he sought-the proud, dashing leader
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,
refining in his horse. his lips white but res
olute, trotted straight up the slope toward
him. Custer wheeled, annoyed at the in
terruption, and Hampton swung down from
the saddle, his rein flung across his arm.
took single step forward, lifting his hand
in salute. and held forth the sealed packet.
dispatches. SIR he said, simply, stand
ing motionless as statue.
The commander, barely glancing toward
him, instantly tore open the long official
envelope and ran his eyes over the dis
patch 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-
count for the unexpected number of hostiles
fronting us up here, Cook; but the greater
the task, the greater the glory. All,
thought much. l am advised by the de-
partment to Keep in close touch with Terry
and Gibbons, and to hold off from making a
direct attack until infantry can arrive in
support Rather late in the day, take it.
when we are already within easy rife shot
l see nothing in these orders to interfere
with our present plans, nor any military
necessity for playing hide and seek all sum-
ilya To-
village down yonder, but 1 have led the
dandy 18th into others just as large
He stopped speaking, and glanced UP in
quirngly into the face of the silent mes
senger, apparently mistaking him for one
of his own men.
Where did you get tlis?"
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
was compelled to strap him. 1 brought it
the rest of the way"
Where is Murphy"
Back with the pack train, sir. 1 got him
through alive, but entirely gone in tie
head
Run across many hostiles in that re-
gon?"
They were thick this side the Rosebud
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 Of the abrupt questioner, his stern,
commanding eyes studying the man stand
ing motionless before him. with freshly
awakened interest. The gaze Of the other
faltered. then came back courageously.
Il recognize you now" Custer said, quiet
ly. Am I to understand you are again in
the service?"
MY presence here is purely accidental,
Gen. Custer The opportunity came to me
to do this work, and 1 very gladly accepted
the privilege"
The commander hesitated, scarcely know
ing what he might be justified in saying to
this man.
1T was a brave deed, well performed,
he said at last, with soldiefly cordiality
although l can hardly offer you a fitting
reward"
The other stood bareheaded. his face
showing pale under its sunburn, his hand
trembling violently where it rested against
his horses name.
There is little I DESIRE he replied,
slowly, unable to altogether disguise the
CULVER in his voice, and that is to be per-
mitted to ride once more into action in the
ranks of the 18th"
The hearted, impulsive, manly soldier
fronting him Redeemed to the roots of his
fair hair, his proud eyes instantly softening.
For second Hampton even imagined he
would extend his>hand but the other paused
with one step forward, discipline proving
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