Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-05-12
TEE
DEATHS HEAD CUIRASSIERS; /;
A Legend of the Old Guard.
BY CAPT. FRED. WHITAKER,
AUTHOR OF "THE PHANTOM KNIGHTS -
cred RUDIGER," "NEMO, KING OF
rRAMPs," "THE IRISH CAP
TAIN" ETC, ETC.
T71d.F
- @3.-
CHAPTER VII.
MADAMOISELLE AGAIN.

The trains were captured, and Ga
briel found that he had come, una
wares, into the midst of the Cavalry
Corps of the Grand Army under Mar
shall Murat himself, who had been
busily engaged for two days in cut
ting up the Austrian trains, captur-
ing their reserve artillery, and in
tercepting them on thesouth, while
Ney, BernadOtte, SOult and the
other marshals were sweeping round
on the other side, completing the
circle which was to end in Mack's
surrender.
But for himself, he hardly knew
what to do. Marshal Murat had
told him to report in arrest to the
Provost Marshal at NOrdlingen, and
he did not know if he would be JUS
tilted in obeying the order.
General DurOc had sent him on
circuit into the Tyrol, to return by
the way of Munich and Ulm, and
he knew that it was very import
ant he should get back as soon as
| possible.
While he was puZzling his brain
as to what to do in the emergency,
| he saw single clirassier-One of
his own riding slowly
| towards them at walk, and recOg-
nized the grim, dark face of Her
cule Forton, nicknamed Casse Tete.
The cuirassier's sword was drip
ping with blood as he came up. but
Casse Tete saluted him respectfully
as possible, and observed in an apol-
egetic tone: -als. sts1-
81 was looking for yOus my cap
tain"
"Indeed," said Gabriel, coldly,
"and why?'' -,
! He remembered his quarrel with
the man, and fancied he had come
to renew it in some form, trusting
to the license of an active cOmpaign
to excuse it."
eyes" answered Casse Tete, his
dark face flushing as he spoke. Il
want to ask a favor of you, my
captain"
"And what is it ?'' asked Gabriel
"That you will take me for your
orderly, my captain. Every officer
has a right to an orderly out of the
regiment"
"And why do you want to be my
orderly ?'
! Casse Tete hesitated.
"Well, my captain, you see am
plain man, who only knows how
to handle his weapons and L stuck
close to you to-day in the melee.
thought l was good one, but
could not keep up with you at the
last, and so | concluded you " ere {
better man than | am"
Gabriel smiled.
"YOu change your note. \ few
months ago you ii!sulipd me"
II know it, captain; but you
were not an officer then. | know
nv duty now, and ! ann glad W.
did not fight in the park, for yot
would have got the best of me
Therefore, my captain, grant me thu
favor [ ask"
Casse Fete was obviously sincere
and as Gabriel looked ut his gaunt
bony figure he thought to himsel
that such IA man at his elbow would
not fail 10 be useful.
81 should like to have you fO
my orderly, Casse Tete," he said
"but l must tell you that in my
present position l cannot have an.
orderly unless he speaks German as
we'll as | do. Besides, am ordered
to report to the Provost Marshal un
der arrest for engaging in this battl'
without orders"
Casse Tete grinned.
"That's nothing, your honor
Officers under arrest are ditferen
from us common men. They haV,
right to travel like gentlemen
Your honor must not be slack t
take the privileges of your class
We soldiers are always proud of
man who was one of us before n
puts on his epaulettes. All you
! honor has to do is to ask the captain
adiutant to detail me. There he is
riding over the field out yonde
with book in his hand. He's tax
ins the reports of the losses in tn
squadron"
livery well, Casse Tete," replie'
our hero, "pll take you as my or
derby and give you my ORiers. G.
to the rear of that train and fin
my carriage. The drivers name
Hans. Bring it up here and We
60 at once to NOrdlingen."
Casse Tete saluted and rode OF
while Gabriel went up to the bus.
adjutant who greeted him with
cold stare of surprise and stiff Sc
lutte.
Gabriel announced his file an
rank.
"Indeed ?" said the adjutant colo
ly. ~ have never had the hone
of seeing monsieur before, since h
sudden promotion. In what can
serve monsieur ?'
"By detailing Hercule Forton {
the first squadron as my orderly.
The adjutant looked vexed.
"Certainly, if monsieur insists.
!, is his right as an officer. AT tn
e same time Hercules FOrtOn is goo
: soldier, too good to be taken frol
the regiment"
"The man asked for the detail,
said Gabriel, quietly, "and l col
sented to take him. | shall be oI
liged for the detail"
|. He saw that the adjutant dislike
, him and Judged it to be on accoul
of the prejudice in the regimen
against his complexion.
The adjutant shrugged his shou
ders.
"Certainly. AS / said befOr
monsieur has right to the detai
| presume you will exchange in
.as-;paonf OF tho oarlio