(_a_) When at the time of desertion the deserter shall not have been more than six months in the service, eighteen months. (_b_) When he shall have been more than six months in the service, two and one half years. SEC. 3. The foregoing limitations are subject to modification under the following conditions: (_a_) The punishment of a deserter may be increased by one year of confinement at hard labor in consideration of each previous conviction of desertion. (_b_) The punishment for desertion when joined in by two or more soldiers in the execution of a conspiracy, or for desertion in the presence of an outbreak of Indians or of any unlawful assemblage which the troops may be opposing, shall not exceed dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement at hard labor for five years. ARTICLE II. Except as herein otherwise indicated punishment shall not exceed the limits prescribed in the following table: --------------------------------+---------------------------------- Offences. | Limits of punishment. --------------------------------+---------------------------------- UNDER 17TH ARTICLE OF WAR. | | Selling horse or arms, or both |Dishonorable discharge, forfeiture | of all pay and allowances, and | confinement at hard labor for | three years. | Selling accoutrements |Four months' confinement at hard | labor and forfeiture of $10 per | month for the same period; for | non-commissioned officer, | reduction in addition thereto. | Selling clothing |Two months' confinement at hard | labor and forfeiture of $10 per | month for the same period; for | non-commissioned officer, | reduction in addition thereto. | Losing or spoiling horse |Four months' confinement at hard or arms through neglect. | labor and forfeiture of $10 | per month for the same period; | for non-commissioned officer, | reduction in addition thereto. | Losing or spoiling accoutrements|One month's confinement at hard or clothing through neglect. | labor and forfeiture of $10; | for non-commissioned officer, | reduction in addition thereto.