Trooper Tales — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

38 The Silent Trooper. ticable to procure seconds, so you will have to rely upon the honor of a common soldier. Perhaps you never as- sociated such sentiments with an enlisted man. I see that you have your six-shooter. I was too soft-hearted to bruise you with my hands.” Crim looked at his man keenly. He then looked over his six-shooter carefully. He had been a clever shot at West Point. “Who gives the signal?” he added, clearing his throat. “Count three in the position of ‘raise pistol,’ ” said Lan- der politely, “after which you are at liberty to fire as soon as you please.” Crim’s tall gelding browsed uneasily and whinnied. He wanted to get back to the hay on the picket line, but _ he was a trained cavalry horse and did not think of trotting off alone. I watched, not knowing what else to do. Both men took position, and came to the regulation “raise pistol.” “Ready?” asked the lieutenant, clearing his throat again. . “All ready,” answered the silent man cheerfully. The moonbeams whitened his forehead. “One,” said the lieutenant. Both men were motionless. “Two!” he screamed. His arm dropped. There was a noise and an empty shell in his six-shooter. The lieu- tenant had forgotten to say “Three.” Lander was dying in the moonlight, and there was no Eomichooks (S)