Year: 1869

A storm had ragged all day; the below
Ing blast carrying with u dirt and fine par
ticlcs of sand, until the cloud was not on
IN binding, hut till 1t wac next TO impos-
sible for n human being to venture from
under cover without having the very flesh
lacerated or peeled from his bones. Tents
Law scattered and rent In every direction,
and even some of the ''doble" quarters
had been levcled with their mother earth.
Indeed, Fort Sedgwick presented much
such an appearance rs might have been
expected had band OF Sioux Indians
made a successful assault upon the place.


As the darkness came on the wind
ceased TO some extent, and then a steady
storm set In, almost as terrible Us was the
sand tempest OF the day. IL was densely
dark, and the darkness was favorable To
the movements of savage band, who
had lurked In shallow ravine behind the
bluffs, back about two miles from the
Platte river.


The bugles at the fort had just sounded
the tattoo and taps, when one OF the band
referred To arose from his prostrate posi-
ton, and as he did SO gave vent TO coarse
and mocking laugh.


Immediately after small light shot up.


lie had ignitcd a match for the purpose
OF lighting his pipe, and the brief flame,
rs he protected IL from the wind with his
fur cap, revealed his features. He was
hideous in the extreme; and although
painted like savage, IL was easy for an
experienced eve To detect the fact that he
was not so. Then his voice and words
were another proof; for, turning round,
he spoke thus:


"Men. YOU will understand that our
work must be quickly performed. At the
first alarm, those have designated will
dash into the quartermaster's the suffers,
and the commissary's. have business at
the commandant's quarters, and this |
shall perform alone. L shall be success
fnl: and IL You are not equally so, the
fault will be your own-not mine. In all
cases OF this Kind you must resolve that
YOU will succeed or die, and then you will
never know the meaning Of failure. Come
and be cautious!"


Some twenty or thirty dark forms were
seen To arise rs II out OF the ground. and
then they silently took their way down the
bluffs toward the fort. Soon, however,
the band separated, and every one Of the
number proceeded onward singly. Those
who had received their Instructions from





simply with gaining certain positions, and
avoiding every sentinel. Not so with the
leader.


When this person had arrived within n
hundred yar,ls of the hospital. he paused
and stood silently surveying the camp
Here and there were dim lights, but bar
racks and tents generally were wrapped
In gloom. AMER time the man NUT
tered - N. To M. IT,.


Everything favors me tonight. and I
feel like a tiger. oh, shall l succeed'
Ii do not, death will be the only thing
that will prevent me. Do love that girls
l scarcely know. have strange feelings
when In her presence. Something Of the
past comes up before me; but the recol-
lection Is like dim dream. am puzzled.
Many Is the time have felt an inclination
to spring upon her, even as the tiger
would upon the young fawn. and rend her
Into pieces; and then have felt again as
though must fold her to my breast and
weep. Curses upon it-whatis thlss Hang
me II tear drop hasn't already
started from my eyes and dsmpened my
n