CHAPTER XX.
ALARMING NEWS.
Dress parade at Fort Grant!
Five troops were engaged—all of the gallant Tenth—and the dying rays of the Arizona sun fell upon waving plumes, flashing sabers, the shimmering satin bodies of the horses, the fluttering guidons, offering a sight that stirred the pulses in unison with the strains of the regimental band.
At last the troops formed in a long line, and their officers rode forward on prancing chargers and lifted their sword-points in salute of the officer in command.
The sun went down, and the boom of the sunset-gun rattled the windows of barracks and officers’ row. The band struck up the Star Spangled Banner. As the inspiring air echoed and reechoed across the parade-ground, Old Glory came fluttering down from its tall staff, was caught in the arms of a waiting “non-com,” and transferred to the guard-house for the night.
The soldiers trotted away, the dust settled, and the shadows began to lengthen. Dress parade was over for that day.
In front of the officers’ quarters children were playing. On the veranda of Colonel Grayson’s house was a little group of ladies.
Grayson, the colonel in command of the post, was just climbing the veranda steps to Mrs. Colonel, in command of the colonel.
The colonel was hot and dusty, but he slapped his clothes in a good-natured way and plumped down in an easy chair.