It Is A Splendid Band, And Has Always Been Regarded As One Of The Very
Best In The Army, But There Are A Few Things That Need Changing, Which
Faye Will Attend To As Quickly As Possible, And At The Same Time Bring
Criticism Down Upon His Own Head.
The old adjutant is still in the
post, and - "eyes green" are here!
FORT SHAW, MONTANA TERRITORY,
August, 1885.
MY ride this morning was grand! My new horse is beginning to see that
I am really a friend, and is much less nervous. It is still necessary,
however, for Miller, our striker, to make blinders with his hands back
of Rollo's eyes so he will not see me jump to the saddle, otherwise I
might not get there. I mount in the yard back of the house, where no
one can see me. The gate is opened first, and that the horse always
stands facing, for the instant he feels my weight upon his back there
is a little flinch, then a dash down the yard, a jump over the
acequia, then out through the gate to the plain beyond, where he
quiets down and I fix my stirrup.
There is not a bit of viciousness about this, as the horse is gentle
and most affectionate at all times, but he has been terribly
frightened by a saddle, and it is distressing to see him tremble and
his very flesh quiver when one is put upon his back, no matter how
gently. He had been ridden only three or four times when we bought
him, and probably by a "bronco breaker," who slung on his back a heavy
Mexican saddle, cinched it tight without mercy, then mounted with a
slam over of a leather-trousered leg, let the almost crazy horse go
like the wind, and if he slackened his speed, spurs or "quirt,"
perhaps both, drove him on again. I know only too well how the
so-called breaking is done, for I have seen it many times, and the
whole performance is cruel and disgraceful. There are wicked horses,
of course, but there are more wicked men, and many a fine, spirited
animal is ruined, made an "outlaw" that no man can ride, just by the
fiendish way in which they are first ridden. But the more crazy the
poor beast is made, the more fun and glory for the breaker.
Rollo is a light sorrel and a natural pacer; he cannot trot one step,
and for that reason I did not want him, but Faye said that I had
better try him, so he was sent up. The fact of his being an unbroken
colt, Faye seemed to consider a matter of no consequence, but I soon
found that it was of much consequence to me, inasmuch as I was obliged
to acquire a more precise balance in the saddle because of his coltish
ways, and at the same time make myself - also the horse - perfectly
acquainted with the delicate give and take of bit and bridle, for with
a pacer the slightest tightening or slackening at the wrong time will
make him break. When Rollo goes his very fastest, which is about 2:50,
I never use a stirrup and never think of a thing but his mouth! There
is so little motion to his body I could almost fancy that he had no
legs at all - that we are being rushed through the air by some unseen
force. It is fine!
Faye has reorganized the band, and the instrumentation is entirely
new. It was sent to him by Sousa, director of the Marine Band, who has
been most kind and interested. The new instruments are here, so are
the two new sets of uniform - one for full dress, the other for
concerts and general wear. Both have white trimmings to correspond
with the regiment, which are so much nicer than the old red facings
that made the band look as if it had been borrowed from the artillery.
All this has been the source of much comment along the officers'
quarters and in the barracks across the parade ground, and has caused
several skirmishes between Faye and the band. It was about talked out,
however, when I came in for my share of criticism!
The post commander and Faye came over from the office one morning and
said it was their wish that I should take entire charge of the music
for services in church, that I could have an orchestra of soft-toned
instruments, and enlisted men to sing, but that all was to be under my
guidance. I must select the music, be present at all practicings, and
give my advice in any way needed. At first I thought it simply a very
unpleasant joke, but when it finally dawned upon me that those two men
were really in earnest, I was positive they must be crazy, and that I
told them. The whole proposition seemed so preposterous, so
ridiculous, so everything! I shall always believe that Bishop Brewer
suggested church music by the soldiers. Faye is adjutant and in
command of the band, so I was really the proper person to take charge
of the church musicians if anybody did, but the undertaking was simply
appalling. But the commanding officer insisted and Faye insisted, and
both gave many reasons for doing so. The enemy was too strong, and I
was forced to give in, the principal reason being, however, that I did
not want some one else to take charge!
In a short time the little choir was organized and some of the very
best musicians in the band were selected for the orchestra. We have
two violins (first and second), one clarinet, violoncello, oboe, and
bassoon, the latter instrument giving the deep organ tones. There have
been three services, and at one Sergeant Graves played an exquisite
solo on the violin, "There is a green hill far away," from the
oratorio of St. Paul.
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