Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-11-15

10 me S(cr. Where tiis grass Vas longer
and helpsd 20 conceal him, as he lay fuii
Bnrfk IN IL. vsT brink. Then began
the work of drawing in the line; round
and round he turned slowly, over and over
noiselessly winding the line round his
chest. converting himself into a winch,
until be had the cork in his hand. In the
Excitement he forgot himself f,r mo-
meut: turning less cautiously than usual,
bis foot touched the water. The p'a,h
was heard Again~ all We're on the qui
vive on the walls, but nothing seemed to-
come Of il; so the sentries relapse into
usiescent confidence, and contented them
selves with the thought. There goes that
fish again. But il brought Norsal back to
his former prudence; more slowly ana 81
lentiy than ever he gathered round nm
the few feet OF line that remained.
'as At last 1t was all done, and the iumtnet
was in his hand. He now crawled back
TO Parker. touched him; the signal was
passed on to the men, and the retreat be-
ran. This was q lar more tedious and
delicate affair; they now had the enemy,
already startled, behind as well Us in front.
The slightest sound would have betrayed
them. and all might have been undune.
So. one by one, in single file at short in
tervals. on hands and knees, they crept
along, until they were within some fifty
Yards OF the enemy $ sentres. Now Nor
val, who was in advance, pulled up; all
closed in; not u word was uttered. With
bated breath they waited till the sentries
had met ard parted. and were on the ex
IRENE. end of their beat again; then they
rose cautiously on their feet, and, with Il
E,,f hn
which, by agreement, had been placed to
guide them back to the battery, and were
again safe and sound within their own
lines.
There was Major Jones, only too ready
TO welcome theln Between night-rounds
he had been constantly at the battery; tor
his anxiety was so intense that he could
not rest in his tent. II is due to him to
say, that, during these two weary hours
OF agonizing suspense, the brave old man
had thought more of the danger OF that
young mad-cap. Norval, than of his
own imperiled commission. The trem-
bling voice AMI the conyulsive grip with
which he greeted the young engineer told
how much he had gone through.
With a fersent good night, and God
bless you!' to him and to Parker, and
with d kindly shake of the hand to each
of the men, and the assurance that he
should neye. forget how they had joined
him in II venture of life or death, Noval
made straight tor the brigadier's tent The
old man was asleep; 50 seeing a light in
the chief engineers tent close by, he
walked In, and said. Colonel, find the
brigadier has turned in; so come 10 you.
If you will kindly unwind me, you'll know
the depth of the ditch under the fort ram.
part. Please tell the brigadier that will
youch for its accuracy
Tell me how Won did il, said he ei,-
gerly.
LET me off for tonight. Colonel You
shall hear all tomorrow, when in report
ing it may have to ask your forgiveness
for unauthorized absence from camp after
tattoo
He had not left the tent many minutes
when the general awoke, and was told by
his bearer that "Noval Sahib' had been
10 see him. and had gone to the chief en-,
gineer. A note ut once brought the Col
with the line in his hand Nothing woulJ
now satisfy the brigadier but that Norva
should be sent for, as he could not slice,
again until he had heard how it had beer
done.
Captain Wilson :" he called out,-fo
Wilson was his orderly officer. and was il
attendance close at baud will you oblig,
me by telling Lieut.. Norval that wish t,
see him at once. He has actually gon,
and plumbed the ditch
Capt. Wilson. who was very comforta
bic rs he lay back in his easy chair dozina
over his cheroot, was not over-wel
pleased to be thus disturbed and still less
for such an object. So he went on his en-
rand 10 no very gracious mood. On
reaching Norvars tent, he made straight
for the purdah, end was going to lift it,
when the bearer stopped him. '.Hookum
ma" he said, (Which means "the order is
not to admit any one.')
II must see your MASTER" Capt. Will
son retorted haughtily, and was again
moving TO lift the purdah; but the bearer
again interiered, and joining his hands,
deprecating Capt. Wilson entering the
tent, said, "Sahib girja parhta hal" Only
master is saying his prayers. y
Wilson turned conlemptuously on his
heel, saying, loud enough for Norval to
hear, Tell your master. the brigade,
sahib wants him Immediately"
"'Saying his prayers hum, more cant
and humbug, eli ? Yet, did he expect
would come for him at this momentp No
il can't be !" ESQ Wilson thought himself
as he walked back
There is no hypocrisy in this, at any
rate. That man must be sincere. Say
ing his prayersr' The sound of his own
voice this time, In such very different
tones from that in which the words were
first uttered, set him musing; and his un-
certain step, now slow, now quick, be-
trayed that II struggle was going on in his
mind, as he wendell bis way back to the
brigadiers tent.
Norval the while had been, as his bear.
er had truly said, Saying his prayers -
prayers Overlooking with thankfulness
that his life had been preserved. A, he
rose he called to his servant. and asked
for the packet he had put into his care.
lie opened it with fearful eye and tremb-
ling hand, as he thought how the contents
might have told to his mother. and TO her
whom he hoped in time to make the part
ner Of his life. the Tale of his soldiers