The dangers to moral integrity most to be guarded against are those
which come disguised, and are often hard to detect.
D. W. Whittle tells of a soldier who was posted in a forest to
watch the approach of Indians. It was a position of peculiar
danger, three different men having been surprized and killed at
this post without having had time to fire a shot. The soldier
was left with strict orders to observe the utmost vigilance. In
a short time an object moving among the trees at some distance
caught his eye. He watched it, with gun ready; as it came a
little nearer, he saw it to be a wild hog. Another came in
sight. He satisfied himself it was a wild hog, rooting under
the leaves. Presently, in another direction, the leaves were
rustled and a third wild hog appeared. Being now used to these
creatures, he paid but little attention. The movements of the
last animal, however, soon engaged the man’s thoughts. He
observed a slight awkwardness in its movements, and thought
possibly an Indian might be approaching, covered in a hog’s
skin. If it was an Indian the safest thing was to shoot. If it
was not an Indian, and he should shoot, he would run no risk.
He raised his rifle and fired. With a bound and a yell, an
Indian leapt to his feet and fell back dead. The man had saved
his life, and prevented the surprize of the garrison by his
watchfulness. (Text.)
(794)