The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-12-18
Cut BehInd.':

When General OHara was Goeernor of
Gibralter, he was said to be perfectly crazy |
on matters of military discipline. He went
so far as to have the shoes taken OIL his
mule, Oh purpose that he might 60 night
rounds and visit the CARDS in the most silent
manner, without being heard uUti' ne was
close upon the sentinel.
AS it had been the long established prac.
tice, O'Hara always attended the guard
mounting parade on the sands, at SIX or
seven o'clock in the moIning; and he took
so much notice Of the officers OF the several
guards that he could generally. dueing the
remainder of the day, name them all. sOne
day he was proceeding out Of Southport In
his carriage when he passed an officer -
ing into the tewn, and whom, at the inst1nt
he remembered as having passed in review
before him that morning, as commanding
the South guard. Upon this, the general
| Immediately determined on satisfying HIM
| self as to the fact, and to convict him OF tho
/ heinous military crime OF quitting his guard;
and ordered the coachman to drive With
/ speed to the South guard. Away they went
! al the rate of ten to eleven miles an hour,
along the saluting battery; and in short
/ time the horses, out of wind and covered
with foam, reached the south guard, q mile
OF more from the place where the general
had passed the suspected officer. At the
usual distance, the running sentinel called
the guard to "turn out, which was obeyed
with all the alertness desirable; and the Of
ficer advancing, nnobservea by the general,
at q quick pace from near the carriage, drew
his sword, then opening ranks, presented
arms and saluted in the best manner.
At the sight of this officer every doubt
had been removed by Jove! it is him
h rnCalf,', tbcuyht he yao.vol he order
ed him 10 turn in the guard, and oeckoned
him 20 come up to the carriage.
pray, Sir" impatiently injured D Hara,
did not see you, but very few minutes
ago, walking very deliberately il to the town
near South Pert"
"Me, sir ," exclaimed the officer, pretend
ing the greatest simplicity and extreme sur
PRISE al the question. am guard here
sire"
well, 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 goiEg into town as
| came out by South Port:" said his excel
lency, raising his voice, and his face iedden-
: ing with anger at the offenders attempt to
conceal the fact by his evasive reply.
The officer, after a moment in no way dis
concerto or showing any symptom Of tim
then with great peliteness said, " Ill your
exceilency have the goodness to state to ms
whether tina, question is put to me by his
Excelleney, General O'Hara, Governor o
Gibraltar, or from yourself, in the capacity
Of private gentleman
The off handed manner in which this
: question was pa. TO O'liara struck the rig h
chord and. after a few minutes hesitation
. he replied with smile on his counteHance
= d" Veil. sir, "a private individual, wtst
10 obtain the information"
"1aen sir, freely confess that yon dit
meet me at the South Port"
Well, sir, that is honest" said the gen
= eral, Now sir | want to know how yo
= could get here on foot as quickly as did il
= nv carriage, and that too, with-ut any dis
: cove:able fatigue:
'e ''Sr, shall conceal nothing from you Il
: the arivate capacity you have selected. re
pied the officer. "Oa meeting you,
> strongly suspected that you knew me; ant
= when pou stopped your carriage 10 spea.
! to your coach,nan, | guessed your motive
< SO, feeling that nay conjecture. were corroc
and as | had no means OF my own OF arrIv
; IN; At my guard at the same time as your
self | got up behind yOur carriage, tina OF
- " means lett me of securing that object
: BY Jov-, sir exclaimed O'llara,
like yonr candcT. and sill more the dexter
ty an d read ness You have G'SI'av"t in IL
irica ting yourself from a Io-H = q III
greatest dan-ar, without which T@n WON
undoubtedly hu-c los; q so comm S>:"r'.
E admire : r1an WI. c..ra he 49, INTO
scr4p-, can map .Hi "i It a. s-rc. =
=, hi: a : most i arIy sfa 'tp ~ 80. y!'
= But, take care. Won mus; uever !eaye you
p, guard again, or, by Jove, III break you ~