On the Trail of Geronimo — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

ON THE TRAIL OF GERONIMO. 137 It was a strange, weird scene, oft repeated dur- ing the scouting back and forth of our cavalry in their exhausting hunt for the dusky fiends of the Southwest, whose activity, skill and endurance seem to surpass that of any other people. But while the captain and surgeon swapped jokes and indulged in their curious speculations, each pleased at the prospect of the serious work close at hand, the moon ‘appeared above the tree tops, which it gilded with silver, while the bottom of the ravine was wrapped in darkness, save where illumined by the bivouac fire. At intervals the captain leaned toward the blaze and looked at his watch, his manner showing that to him the hours were passing with leaden feet. Slowly the minute hand of his watch crept round until ‘close to the XII. While it still lacked a moment or two of the even hour, the head officer signalled to the sergeant, who was expecting it. Then, in low, guarded tones, the command was given: “Up with you, boys!” It was no time for bugle, réveille, roll call, or assembly. Silence was requisite above all things. The soldiers promptly rolled out of ‘their blankets (ee) nN) Cc 6)(0)(6) CS (CO)