The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-11-25
CHAPTER XVI,
Tho Scouting Detail.


could l consent to leave my honor I'm.
defended. and after those hateful
words there could be no rest for me
until our differences were settled By
the stern arbitrament Of tho naked
blade. All prudence to the winds, no
opportunity Of meeting him should
now to be cast aside.
The coming day was barely gray IN
tho east when I was awakened BY q
heavy pounding upon the door. d
smart-looking orderly stood without
Captain Waynef" be asked.
THAT is my name. What have you.
my man1"
"Compliments Of Colonel Maitland
chief Of stat. SIR" hs said, handing
me a folded paper.
Dear Wayne:" the private note
read. Believing you would b glad
to have the detail I have just an
ranged to send you at once upon some
active service. Please report at these
quarters Immediately. fully equipped
for the fleld."
Glad! It was the very medicine ]
most needed. and within twenty min
utes OF my receipt Of this oommuni1
cation I was with Maitland. thanking
him warmly for his thoughfulness.
Mot another word. Wayne" no IN,
sisted. 1T 10 not much, q more SCOUT
Ing detail over neutral territory. and
will prove dull enough. only hope u
may help to divert your mind . tria~t
Now usten-you are to proceed with
twenty mounted men or the escort
west as far as tho foothills, and are
expected to note carefully three
things: First, the condition of for
age for the sustenance of q wagon
train; second. what forces Of FEEDER
al troops, II any. are along the Honey
we'll; and third. the gathering Of all in.
formation obtainable as to the report
ed consolidation of guerillas for pur-
poses of plumber between the lines. If
time suffice, you might cross over into
the valley Of the Cowskin and learn
the condition of forage there as well.
A guide will accompany your party,
and you are to avoid contact with the
carry five days rations. You UNDER
stand fully?"
Il do. sir; I presume am to start
ut once?"
Your squad, under command Of
Sergeant Ebers. is already waiting out
side"
"Arc you all ready, sergeant7" +
asked Of the rather heavyweight Ger
man who stood fronting me. his broad,
red face az impassive a. though carved
from stone.
I've vos, captain"
Where Is the guidef"
dot Is him, NIT der mule. amt it7'
he answered, pointing with ono hugs
hand down the road.
Very we'll, we win pick him up
then as We go"
cared so little as to whether or not
he accompanied US at all, that We had
advanced some distance before the
thought of him again occurred to me.
I knew the gentry fairly we'll. and had
experienced in the past so many evi-
dences Of their stupidity. II not actual
disloyalty, az to prefer my own knowl1
edge Of the country to theirs. MY
thought, indeed, for several miles was
not at all with the little party Of
troopers jogging steadily at my heels.
nor, in truth, was 1t greatly concerned
with the fate Of the expedition. That
was but service routine, and rode
forward carelessly enough. never
dreaming that every hour of progress
was bearing me toward the most Inn
portant adventure of my life. It was
the German sergeant who recalled me-
to the responsibilities of command.
Captain" he exclaimed apologet.
lcally. riding up to my side and wiping
his round, perspiIng face with great
energy, I'VE are riding too hard. amt
We? Mein Colt, but der horses will
give out entirely, already"
IFS that so?" asked in surprise at
his words. A single swift glance
around convinced me he was correct.
for the mounts were exceedingly soft,
and already looked nearly played out
from our sharp pace. VERY we'll,
We will halt here"
With sigh Of relief he drew back,
and as he did 80 my eyes fell for the
first time upon the guide. AS live.
1t was Jed Bungay, and when I stared
at him In sudden amazement he broke
into a broad grin.
"Durn II didn't begin ter think as
how ye'd gone an clar forgot me.
Cap"
mot bit Of It, Jed" and I rode up
to him and extended my hand. "But
how came you here? Are you the
guide?"
"sure thing. cap; know this yere
kintry like bulk. faded horsemen
from the west, at evening to the castle
pressed BY gum. you put Beelzebub
an me through q blamed hard jolt Of
It so fur" -
"Beelzebub?" 4 -,.
rye bet, Their mule; I reckon az how
70 amt gone an forgot him, hev yer
fro ~ Nou<lnvad