TOM LOCKS THE STABLE DOOR 



right heartily, with each slap rebuking the would- 

 be horse thief for his drunkenness and thievery. 



When Flaherty was brought into the dugout 

 it was evident that he was almost senseless from 

 drink. He was taken over to Pound's bed and 

 left there, sound asleep. 



"There," said Tom, "we forgot to bring in that 

 little bundle he left by the stable door." 



He brought it in, and on opening it it was found 

 to consist of a pint bottle with a little whiskey in 

 it and a change of underclothing marked with the 

 man's initials. 



"Well," said Tom, "this poor fellow has gone 

 on a spree; while drunk the idea of deserting has 

 come to him, and he has started ofFover the prairie 

 in the dead of winter, through an Indian country, 

 without arms, provisions, or clothing. As I have 

 often said, a man who is drunk is literally crazy, 

 and this proves it." 



Next morning, when Flaherty was aroused, he 

 had at first no idea where he was and, after he 

 had been told, no idea how he got here. He pro- 

 fessed that he had no wish to desert, for he was 

 getting along in his company as well as any of 

 the men and his time of service had nearly ex- 

 pired. 



However, he actually had deserted, and he did 

 not know what to do, whether to go back and give 

 himself up and take his punishment or whether to 

 goon. Tom said to him: 



187 



