The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-04-13
CHAPTER XVI.
The Scouting Detail.

Il
known channel II might reach me.
changed my entire relationship with
the man. have never felt that Bren-
nan was at heart bad man: he was
hard. sterr. revengeful, yet | have no
doubt under different circumstances
| might even have valued him highly
as a comrade or a friend. There is
no demon like jealousy, and his early
distrust OF me. fostered by that mad
disease had apparently warped his
entire nature. Yet not even for love
could consent TO leave my honor un-
defended. and after those hateful
words there could be no rest for me
until our differences were settled by
the stern arbitrament OF the naked
blade, All prudence TO the winds no
opportunity OF meeting him should
now to be east aside.
The coming day was barely gray In
the east when was awakened by a
heavy pounding upon the door.
smart-looking orderly stood without.
Captain Wagner" he asked
That Is my name What have you.
my MANI"
Compliments OF Colonel Maitland,
chief OF staff. sir" he said. handing
me a folded paper
Dear Wayne" the private note
read. Believing you would be glad
10 have the detail | have just ar
ranged 90 send you at once upon some
active service. Please report at these
quarters Immediately, fully equipped
for the field"
Glad! IL was the very medicine i
most needed, and within twenty min
utes OF my receipt OF this communi-
cation | was with Maitland, thanking
him warmly for his thoughfulness.
Not another word, Wayne" he in
sisted. 1t is not much, mere scout
ing detail over neutral territory, and
will prove dull enough. ! only hope 1t
may help 10 divert your mind triiie.
Now listen--you are 20 proceed with
twenty mounted men or the escort
west as far ak the foothills, and are
| expected 10 note carefully three
things. First, the condition Of for
age for the sustenance OF wagon
4 otNChhr NhaA AOANNH VI NANAT
al troops. II any, are along the Honey
well; and third, the gathering of all In.
formation obtainable as 10 the report
ed consolidation OF guerillas for pur-
poses OF plumber between the lines. II
time suffice. you might cross over into
the valley OF the Cowskin and learn
the condition of forage there as well.
Il A sttHa MIL
and you are to avoid contact with the
enemy az far as possible. Your men
carry five days rations. You under
stand fully?"
II do. sir; ! presume | am to start
at once"
Your squad. under command OF
Sergeant Ebers. is already waiting out
side
Are you all ready sergeant" I
asked OF the rather heavyweight Ger
man who stood fronting me, his broad,
red face as impassive as though carved
from stone.
We vos. captain
Where is the guide?"
Dot is him. init der mule. amt it,"
AC ahcNtlGhf HOlAAAhk Will 0nG hukt
hand down the road,
Very well. We will 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 20 me.
knew the gentry fairly well, and had
r..
dences of their stupidity, IL not actual
disioyalty. as TO prefer my own knowl-
edge of the country TO theirs. My
thought. indeed for several miles was
not al all with the little party or
troopers Jogging steadily at my heels,
nor. in truth. was IL 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 i'm
portant adventure of my life. II was
the German sergeant who recalled me
TO the responsibilities OF command.
Captain" he exclaimed apologet.
ically. riding up 20 my side and wiping
his round. perapiring face with great
energy. we are riding too hard. amt
We? Mein Gott. but der horses will
give out entirely, already"
rs 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 well,
we will halt here"
With a sigh OF relief he drew back.
and as he did so my eyes fell for the
first time upon the guide AS ! live,
II was Jed Bungay. and when ] stared
at him in sudden amazement he broke
into a broad grin.
"Durn N didn't begin ter think as
how yed gone an clar forgot me.
Cap"