The National tribune., 1882-05-27

J
not more than four feet way. We five made
an irregular circle of about yard in
diameter. My thinking was done in less
time than one of these pipe whiffs is drawn
in and expelled; and, just as Rolan spoke,
L reached out my hand towards the sergeant,
with the handouts.
Take them, sergeant, and fasten his
hands," l said.
But he did net touch them-nay, his own
arm had barely begun to extend itself for
ward-when Rolan, with a quick, cat-like
motion, snatched the shackles from my hand,
tossed them overheard, and tured upon me-
1t all happened in an instant in the snap of
finger, and was ready for him. Ny pistol
was drawn and the hammer up before the
! shackles struck the water; and as he took
that STEP in just such an attitude as 1 have
seen o prize-fghter assume on a quick
offensive, 1 shot him.
! did you mean to kill him?n asked
| Minimus.
Il certainly did; and say, in all humility
what l think, that to my promptness alone
that ship, with the crew and passengers, were
| indebted for their salvation. The ball struck
him in the left breast, just above the heart,
severing the great artery, as L afterwards
| learned. He jerked his right hand up to
the place, and settled heavily to the deck,
at my feet, with the cry:
30, boys, he's killed me, he's killed mel"
And from the hold came up the responsive
cry, You murderer, you murderer"
ha, Ill b
the deck. The heat of the action was yet
in me, but it was in all kindness that asked
| him,
What have you to say? Who has been
right in this busness?"
| He turned his eyes to me. The demon
had all left them, and he spoke in voice
that was burdened with terror,
"YOu was right-and I was wrong
wroDg-wrong! But, O, for Gods sake,
pray for me! pray for mel"
| The color left his face in an instant They
were his last articulate words; he died IN
three minutes.
| Up to this time I believe I had not been
| excited; but just as I rose to my feet, with
my eyes fixed on the dead mans face the
| cry of murderer" was 1ug at me again from
the hold, and then, confess, I could not
restrain my temper. Isprang down the lad
der with the smoking revolver in my hand,
and faced the crowd They fell back with
out a word, cowed, think, by the silent de-
termination they saw in me.
"Men, hope you understand me now,"T
said. @ will have no epithets, nor anything
that looks like insubordination. You have
compelled me to DO what 1 have done by
your own folly, and now remember-I viii
deal as sternly with any alan who attempts
mutiny."
They believed me, and acted accordingly.
This was the last of a revolt which | have
now good reason to believe had waited its
opportunity since the day of our leaving
Governors Island; and have the testimony
| Of many officers high in rank that the effect
of the example which I set was most salu-
tary. Within week / had turned over my
precious crew to their respective command
ing officers; and 1 am at liberty to hope that
their punishments were commensurate with
their deserts.
"And how did you get out of the scrape?"-
that little interrogation point-Minimus.
asked.
We were at New Orleans that night. On
the following day 1 went.up to the head
quarters of General Emory, then command
ing the defenses, to report to his adjutant-
general the result of.my mission and the
return of the party. Just as 1 had reached
the climax of my narrative, as I have re-
lated to you, the General walked in, and
caught my last words.
"How's that?" he interrupted, sharply,
bending his shaggy brows, and lifting his
leonine front ominously upon me. whats
that, sir? Repeat it."
And l repeated it briefly, giving the exact
truth of the affair. He listened attentively.
and when had concluded, looked me very
sternly in the eye.
"And so you shot soldier?"
eyes, sir.n
"Kill him?"
eyes, sir"
"Deserter, you say?"
eyes, sir.n
"Humph! Deserter to the enemys lines?
eyes, sir"
"Humph, humphl How many more of
them did you bring me?"
"Forty-six live ones, sir"
"Well, sir, you have done Well-just what
you should have done. j believe you've got
the stuff in you for soldier. Why the
devil didn't you shoot them all-eh? Col.
Smith, write an order generating Colonel
Crocker from all blame in this affair. We
have no officers to spare for courts of in
quiry, and I'll take the responsibility my
self. Good morning, Colonel. 1 hope to
meet you often"
The thing seemed to please the old man
hugely; and 1 have pretty good proof that
he remembered me. 1t was ten months
afterward, away up the Red River, in the
front of that savage battle at Pleasant Hill,
that received the wound that cost me this
arm. The General was right on the line
when was struck; and 1 believe he saw the
wound as soon as l felt it, for heard him
sing out:
Colonel Crocker, you're hit, and hard,
too, I'm afraid Take this Orderly's horse
and get to the rear-quick, sir quick! Go
to the headquarter ambulance, half a mile