Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-02-08

guard should be visited twice, rs such Z
proceeding was very unusual, and per
haps my tone seemed to imply that
vas surprised. Whether it was that, OF
whether a treacherous gus. Of wind re
moved the folds of my cloak. and exhib
tied the slightes tsste in life of the end
of my night shirt, know not; but the
field officer instead of riding off wher
he received nv answer, turned his horse.
head in the opposite direction, and
said: Nov, sir, | want you TO accom-.
pany me round the. sentries.
Had he told me that he wanted me to
accompany him to the regions below, ]
should scarce have been more horror
struck. for already l had found the
change of temperature between warm
bed 10 warm room and the outside
air; and to walk two miles on windy,
frosty night, with no raiment besides
boots, night shirt, and cloak, was really
suffering for ones country, and no mis-
take. dared not show the slightest
hesitation, however, for fear the state OF
my attire might be suspected, though !
would have given weeks pay to have
escaped for only five minutes A nom
commissioned officer was ready with a
lantern. and we started on our tour of
inspection.
The field officer asked several quss
tons connected with the position and du.
tie. of the sentries, to which | gave an
swers as well as the chattering of my
teeth weuld permit me. The most ner.
vous work, however, was passiag the gas
lamps. which were placed at intervals
of one or two hundred yards. The wind
was blowing so fresh that it was with
difficulty could hold my cloak around
me, and conceal the absence Of my un
der garments. Every now and then an
extra gust of wind would come round
a corner, and quite defeat all the precau
tons which | had adopted to encounter
the steady gale. managed TO dodge
in the shade as much as possible, and
more than once ran the risk of being
kicked by the field officers horse, as |
skunk behind him when the gas light
might have revealed too much.
1t was terribly cold. to be sure, the
wind and snow almost numbing my
limbs. | had kind Of faint hope that
the field officer might think that | be.
longed to Highland regiment, and if he
did observe the scantiness of my attire,
might believe the kilt would explain it.
| struggled and shvered on, knowing
that all things must have an end, and
that my rounds must come 10 an end
before long. But | feared that should
not again get warm during the night.
We had nearly completed our tour,
and were within few hundred yards of
the guard room, when we passed the
field officers quarters. 1 fondly hoped
that be would not pass them, and that he
would dismiss me at the door, but was
rather surprised to see blaze Of light
come from the windows, and to hear the
sound of music. 1t was evident that
there was hop going on inside, and |
already began to tremble from a sort of
instinct that worse misfortunes were vet
to attend me.
My premonitions were true, for upon
reaching his door, my prosecutor. in
quite cheerful tone, said: well, we've
had a cold tour; you must now come in
and take glass of wine, and perhaps a
waltz will warm you.'
I'm really much obliged l hastily
answered but | should not like to leave
my guard.
Nonsense, nonsense, man; the guard
will be all right; you must come in
This must he said in quite determined
tone.
/ felt desperate, and again declared
that l thought ! should be wrong to leave
my guard.
'Tll take the responsibility said the
demon; so come along;' saying which,
he grssped my arm. and almost dragged
me into the porch of bis quarters.
When we entered tho house, and were
exposed to the light of the ball. lamps. |
lancied saw light twinkle in the eye
of the officer, and | began to wonder
whether he really knew of my predica-
ment, and wished to have his joke. He.
however, gave no other limitations that
| saw, but quickly took off his cloak,
and said that had better do the same.
Seeing me hesitate. he said: Come look
alive; off with it,
Further remonstrance, | found, would
be useless, so that there was no help for
me but a full confession. Summoning
my courage, and fearing to hesitate, l
blurted out: Colonel, I've no trousers
on
The deuce you haven't he said. well
you you'd better go aud put them on, and
then come here as soon as possible, and
have glass of something warm
rushed out of his quarters. half de-
termined not to return. | was fully
awake now, aud shvered Ike half
drowned dog; but no sooner had |
dressed myself, than the coIoners servant
came over 10 say that quadrills was
waiting for me.
al determined to put bold face on the
matter, and entered the drawing room,
where party Of about fifty had assem-
bled. Ii was evident by the filters of
the young ladies, the grins of the men,
and the subdued smiles of the dowsgers,
that my story was known.
The colonel had told it as good joke
70 tho ,noior ,pho had yvkisnarai II tn his