American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13
ii humorous.
" CUT BEHIND"


ciplipc. lie went 80 far as to have
the shoes taken off his mule, on pur-
pose that no might 60 night-rounds
and visit the guards in the most silent
manner, without being heard until ho
was close upon the sentinel. .
AS had been the long established
practice, O'Hura always attended the
guard mounting parade on the sands, at
slX on seven o'clock in the morning
and he took so much notice of the Of
ficers of the several guards that he
could generally, during the remainder
OF the day, name them oil. Ono
day he was proceeding out of South
Port in his carriage, when ho pass
cd an officer going into the town,
and whom, at the instant, he remember
ed as having passed in review before
him that morning, as commanding tho
south guard. Upon this, the general
Immediately determined on satisfying
himself as to the fact, and SO convict
him of the heinous military crime Of
quitting his guard; and ordered tho
coachman to drive with speed to the
south guard. Away they went, at the
rate Of ten to eleven miles an hour,
along the saluting battery; and in u
short time the horses, out of wind and
covered with foam, reached the soutl,
guard, mile or more from the place
where the general had passed the sus.
pected officer. At the usual distance,
the running sentinel called the guard
to "turn OUT which was obcyed with
all the alertncss desirable and the Of
fcor advancing, unobserved by the
general at a quick pace from near tho
carriage, drew his sword, then open
ing ranks, presented arms, and suuted
IN the best manner.
At the sight Of this officer every
, doubt had been removed. /" BY Joye
it is himself!" thought the general, al
he ordered him to turn in the guard,
and beckoncd him to como up to tho
carriage. ..
Pray, sir" impaticntly inquired
OHara, "did l not see you, but very
few minutes ago, walking very dclibcr.
ately into the town near South Port ?"
'Me, sir!' exclaimed the goflicer,
pretending the greatest simplicity and
extreme surprise at the question. IL
am guard, SIR
",Weil, well, | know that; you need
not have supplied me with that valuable
piece OF information. Did | not, sir,
ask you again, did / not see YOU
going into town as Icamc out by South
Port 2 said his cxccllency, raising his
voice, and his face reddening with
anger at the offenders attempt to con-
ceal the fact by his cvasiye reply.
The officer, after a moment, in no
way disconnected or showing any symp-
tom of timidity, looked the general full
IN the face, and then with great polite.
ness, said, evil your excellency hayo
the goodness to state to me whether
that question is put to me by his Excel
lency, General O'Hara, Governor Of
Gibraltar, or from yourself,in the capa.
city OF private gentleman?"
The of-hand manner in which this
question was put to O'IIara struck tho
right chord and after few minutes
hesitation, he replied, with smile on
his countenance. "Well, sir, as a pri-
vatc individual, l wish to obtain ths
information"
"Then, sir, freely confess that you
did meet me at the South Port"
"Well, sir, that is honest" said the
general. "Now, sir, l want to know
how you could get here on foot as
quickly as l did in my carriage, and
that, too, without any discoyerablo
fatigue ?"
"Sr, l shall conceal nothing from
you in the private capacity you have
selected" replied the officer. Con
meeting you, ] strongly suspected that
you knew me; and when you stopped
tho carriage to speak to your coach
man, | guessed your motive so, feel.
ing that my conjecturcs were correct,
and as | had no means of my own Of
arriving at my guard at the same tmo
as yourself, | got up behind your car.
rage, the only means left inc Of sccur.
ing that object.
BY Jove, sir |" exclaimed OHara.
VI like your candor and still more tho
deSterity and readiness you have dis.
played in c&tricating yourself from n
position of the greatest danger, with.
out which you would undoubtedly have
lost your commission. / admire a man
who, whom he gets into scrapo, can
jump out OF it at once. Youm must dino
with me, sir, tomorrow" giving him
most hearty shake Of the hand. "But.
take care You must never leave you,.
guard again, or by Joyc, I'll break
you !"