The Deserter | Page 6

sir,--close to the river-bank east of us."
"Very well. Send Sergeant Clancy here, and I'll give the necessary
orders."
The soldier quietly salutes, and disappears in the gathering darkness.
"That's what I like about that man Gower," says the captain, after a
moment's silence. "He is always looking out for his horse. If he were
not such a gambler and rake he would make a splendid first-sergeant.
Fine-looking fellow, isn't he?"
"Yes, sir. That is a face that one couldn't well forget. Who was the
other sergeant you overhauled for getting fleeced by those sharps at the
cantonment?"
"Clancy? He's on guard to-night. A very different character."
"I don't know him by sight as yet. Well, good-night, sir. I'll take myself
off and go to my own tent."
* * * * *
Daybreak again, and far to the east the sky is all ablaze. The mist is
creeping from the silent shallows under the banks, but all is life and
vim along the shore. With cracking whip, tugging trace, sonorous
blasphemy, and ringing shout, the long train is whirling ahead almost at

the run. All is athrill with excitement, and bearded faces have a strange,
set look about the jaws, and eyes gleam with eager light and peer
searchingly from every rise far over to the southeast, where stands a
tumbling heap of hills against the lightening sky. "Off there, are they?"
says a burly trooper, dismounting hastily to tighten up the "cinch" of
his weather-beaten saddle. "We can make it quick enough, 's soon as
we get rid of these blasted wagons." And, swinging into saddle again,
he goes cantering down the slope, his charger snorting with
exhilaration in the keen morning air.
Before dawn a courier has galloped into camp, bearing a despatch from
the commanding officer of the Riflers. It says but few words, but they
are full of meaning: "We have found a big party of hostiles. They are in
strong position, and have us at disadvantage. Rayner with his four
companies is hurrying to us. Leave all wagons with the boat under
guard, and come with every horse and man you can bring."
Before seven o'clock the wagons are parked close along the bank
beside the Far West, and Hull, with all the men he can muster,--some
fifty,--is trotting ahead on the trail of Rayner's battalion. With him rides
Mr. Hayne, eager and enthusiastic. Before ten o'clock, far up along the
slopes they see the blue line of skirmishers, and the knots of reserves
farther down, all at a stand. In ten minutes they ride with foaming reins
in behind a low ridge on which, flat on their faces and cautiously
peering over the crest, some hundred infantrymen are disposed. Others,
officers and file-closers, are moving to and fro in rear. They are of
Rayner's battalion. Farther back, down in a ravine a dozen forms are
outstretched upon the turf, and others are bending over them,
ministering to the needs of those who are not past help already. Several
officers crowd around the leading horsemen, and Hull orders, "Halt,
dismount, and loosen girths." The grave faces show that the infantry
has had poor luck, and the situation is summarized in few words. The
Indians are in force occupying the ravines and ridges opposite them and
confronting the six companies farther over to the west. Two attacks
have been made, but the Indian fire swept every approach, and both
were unsuccessful. Several soldiers were shot dead, others severely
wounded. Lieutenant Warren's leg is shattered below the knee; Captain

Blount is killed.
"Where's Rayner?" asks Hull, with grave face.
"Just gone off with the chief to look at things over on the other front.
The colonel is hopping. He is bound to have those Indians out of there
or drop a-trying. They'll be back in a minute. The general had a rousing
fight with Dull Knife's people down the river last evening. You missed
it again, Hull: all the ----th were there but F and K,--and of course old
Firewater wants to make as big a hit here."
"The ----th fighting down the river last night?" asks Hull, in amaze.
"Yes,--swept clean round them and ran 'em into the stream, they say. I
wish we had them where we could see 'em at all. You don't get the
glimpse of a head, even; but all those rocks are lined with the beggars.
Damn them!" says the adjutant, feelingly.
"We'll get our chance here, then," replies Hull, reflectively. "I'll creep
up and take a look at it. Take my horse, orderly."
He is back in two minutes, graver than before, but his bearing is
spirited and firm. Hayne watches him with kindling eye.
"You'll take me in with you when you charge?" he asks.
"It is no place to