Trooper Tales — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

18 The Recruit in the Black Cavalry. game chicken in his arms. The recruit was panting and wet, indeed, but his eyes were shining. He tethered the game one out in the bush and concealed the two limp birds under his blanket. Then he buckled on his six- shooter, shouldered his carbine, and started for the picket line to relieve his man. It was not until Sadie had told the much-abused sentry where he would find a plump chicken that there was peace. Meanwhile the corporal figured out the best way was to do his duty on the fol- lowing day, and slowly re-warmed his hole in the sand. And the gaudy little gamecock ruffled his feathers in the dark and clucked low, and scolded. The result of the corporal’s figuring reached Sadie about seven o’clock the following morning. He was in condition to hear the worst, for one of those plump pul- lets had been broiled at dawn. There is the makings of. a mighty soldier in a plump Spanish chicken. The col- ored corporal reported the absence of the black recruit to the top sergeant, also black. Among other things, the top sergeant mentioned the affair to the troop com- mander, who was white, and also very wet and ugly that morning. And so it came about that the black recruit saw the troop commander striding his way about seven a. m. with blood in his eye and these words: *Do you think this troop is out hunting butterflies— eh? You’re under arrest—understand? And I'll court- martial you when the men take that town up in the hills— understand—eh ?” It would be prompt and certain self-destruction for the Gomicbooks (CC)