The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-04-18
A Human Bugle.
TRxchanpe.t


 At one time an officer belonging to one of the regiments stationed at Gibraltar possessed a rather curious accomplish. ment. Placing his hand to his mouth he was able to initiate the sound of bugle with a force almost equal to that of the actual instrument and he could play a tune, or make long calls ssch as the ad- vance, retreat, reveille, etc, SO that any one would imagine real bugle to be blown. In those days there were no cabs, and the principal means of locomotion ! within the garrison at night were donkeys at all events among the younger of- icers. For the sake of fun, and without thought of doing more harm than play ing of hoax, the officer in question had occasionally sound>d a call here and there, and two or three times cavalcade of subalterns on their donkeys had clattered past the convent (the governor s residence) with him ia thcir midst sound ing the alarm, and causing the guard to turn out, and creating considerable confusion.
 Orders were therefore issued that no one was to blow bugle without author ity to do so but as the prohibition had no effect, and it was pretty clearly ascer- tained by the reports of sentries, etc., tha one of the officers was the culprit, the governor assembled the various com manding officers in garrison, and desired that they would ask every officer in their respective corps to say, upon his honor, whether he had blown bugle at night in the streets, and report the replies to him, promising forgiveness if confession were made and the practice SO subversive of discipline discontinued. When it came to the officer in question to reply to his commanding officers query, neither he nor his colonel, nor the. others standing by, who knew all about it, could refrain from smiling as he said:
 "No, sir. Upon my honor, I have not blown bugle in the streets at night since have been at Gibraltarp
 "Well," said the colonel, when ali the officers had answered, "but the gov ernor is dreadfully vexed, and so the thing must be stopped and if [ ind an opportunity l will explain it to him and ease his mind"
 When the comm anding officers brought their reports, and one after another stated that every officer, upon his honor, denied having blown a bugie in the above cir cumstances. the governor, distinguished general, who was the soul of honor, goodness, and kindness, was very much affected.
 Gentlemen" he said, "this is very sad, very terrible! It is not the act itself, the breach of discipline-that we can easily take measures to discover and pre- vent-but it is that there must be one among us who, bearing her majesty commission, does not scruple to tell a falsehood upon his honor. l must con- sider how to act in these painful circum- stances"
 When the other commanding officers retired, afer making their repor, the col onel of the regiment to which the offender belonged remained, and, addressing the governor, said:
 "I think, sir. can explain this matter to your satisfaction, can promise that the annoyance shall cease, and can show you that no fzlsehood has been told about il" {" And then he proceeded to inform him of the extraordinary power possessed by the officer in question.
 The governors surprise and delight were unbounded.
 What reiiefi. he exclaimed. But I must hear him. You must bring hin to dinner, and he shall play me . fune" 1" So the affair vas se4tled, the governor heard the officer perform, and the garri- son heard no more falee alarms.