Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-05-29
An AWKWARD MOMENT,

pretty tight places at different
times, Roger. We know what you
got the Gro for, but | suppose
that the chances were often very
nearly as heavy against you
The man who made this remark
was seated opposite his friend be-
fore the cheerful fire in the smok.
ing.roOm Of a London military
club. Both had the brOnzed faces
and prematurely grizzled hair
which betsken long s0journs under
almost tropical skies. The one who
had been addressed as Roger
was slightly the elder, and upon
his broad chest bore the tiny scrap
of ribbon that indicated that the
wearer had won tie most priced OF
English decorations, the Victoria
Cross. He did not reply for
minute or two to his companions
words. Apparently they had call
ed up many "reminiscences, few of
which were agreeable, but at last a
smile lighted up his features, and
he said;
'Yes, old boy; I've very often
thought my life wasn't going to
last a second longer; but the most
awkward moment ever put in
wasn't in the field
No. Then ! presumed that it
was when you were besieged in the
Residency during the Mutiny?
'It wasn't in action at all. 1t
was on board ship
'WreckY
'No. That is TO say, the ship
wasn't wrecked, but l thought !
was.
Tell me about it,
'Wen, l don't mind. It's twenty
years ago, and telling can't hurt
anyone now. Still you will under
stand that the names l shall give
you are not the true ones, and you
must promise not to try and find
out what those were.
'All right. I'll be content with
the story
Here goes, then said Roger,
settling himself back in his chair.
1T occurred just after we'd finished
up the last of those black devils.
| had pretty nearly got over the
wounds received in the affair for
which the Queen gave me the
cross, and | reported myself as fit
for duty. The colonel, however,
bless his old heart wouldn't hear
of it, and insisted on my taking a
years leave. There was no canal
in those days, and the pleasant way
Of going home then-and | don't
know that it isn't now-was by
one of the fine clipper ships round
the Cape. | was fortunate enough
to get a cabin to myself on board
the Winchester, Of Green's line.
The pnrser, Watson, ! had met at
some dinners in Calcutta, and he
promised to make things as pleas
ant as possible. We had very few
passengers, mostly invalid officers,
two or three civilians, and four
ladies. saw three OF the ladies
on deck when we sailed, and none
of them impressed me as being
specially charming. The captain,
whose name was, we'll say, John
/ Smith, looked like one Of the regu-
lar navy. lie wore n uniform and
sword, and was very severe Of
aspect and stiff in bearing. found
out afterward that he was regular
martinez, and the half dozen mid
shipmen and the minor officers
stood in considerable awe Of him.
On my being introduced, he favored
me with a formal grasp Of the
hand, and jerked ont few words
about having heard of me before.
'We did not begin to drop down
the river till the day was fairly adj
vanced, and had scarcely got my
traps in order when il was time
to dress for dinner. In those days
the captain would have been in
suited if his passengers did not
turn out in full evening toggery
! We soldiers were seated at table
| in accordance with our rank, and
as had only just got my company,
| was pretty well down toward the
foot, or purseI's end. This | did
| not at first feel Inclined to regret,
as the prospect appeared that we
should be a little more free and
easy than were the fogies up at the
top. But when had got fairly
| settled into my place, / looked
toward the captain, and immedi-
ately began to deplore my insignifi
canoe. Seated on his right was
the prcttiest girl had ever seen.
o. Her eyes were well, it's no ust
my giving you an auctiOneers''
catalogue Of her charms. You just
picture your ideal, and she would
come very near it, All | knew
was that | was completely knocked
over. | am sure my neighbor'
must have thought l was eithcI
surly or stupid, for | never ad
dressed them, and | was scarcely
conscious what replies | made tC
their remarks. All my attention
was given to silent watching o
my new divinity, and l franticall]
nnrin1 lhn nnninin nnL "a IInn IL