The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-10-08
AN AWKWARD MOMENT.
BY JULIAN MAGNTS,

"You must have been in some pretty
tight places at different times, Roger. We
know what you got the cross for, but l
suppose that the chances were often very
nearly as heavy against YOU"
The man who made this remark was
seated opposite his friend before the cheer
full fire in the smokingroom Of London
military club. Both had the bronzed faces
and prematurely grizzled hair which be
token long sojOurns 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 that most priced of English decora-
tons, the Victoria Cross. He did not re.
ply for a minute or two to his compan-
ions words. Apparently they had called
up many "reminiscences, few Of which
were agreeable, but at last smile lighted
up his features, and he said:
Eyes, old boy; pve very often thought
my life wasn't going to last a second long
err; but the most awkward moment ever
put in wasn't in the field"
mo? Then presume it was when you
were beseged in the Residency during the
Mutiny ?''
at wasn't in action at all. 1t was on
board ship"
Wreck ?"
"No. That is to say, the ship wasn't
wrecked, but thought was"
Tell me about it..
well, l don't mind. It's twenty years
ago, and the telling can't hurt anyone.
now. Still, you viii understand that the
names j shall give you are not the true
ones, and you must promise not to try to
find out what those were'
"All right. I'll be content with the
story"
Here goes, Them said Roger, setting
himself back in his chair. It occurred
just after we'd finished up the last of
those black devils | had pretty nearly
got over the wounds l received in the
affair for which the Queen gave me the
cross. and l 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
pleasantest way Of going home then-and
/ don't know that it isn't now-was one of
the fine clipper ships round the Cape. |
was fortunate enough to get a cabin to
myself on board the Winchester, Of
Greene's line. The purser, Watson, had
met at some mess dinners in Calcutta,
and he promised to make things rs pleasant
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 regular navy. He wore a
uniform and sword, and was very severe
of aspect and stiff of bearing ! found
out afterward that he was regular marti-
net, and the half-dozen midshipmen and
| the minor officers stood in considerable
awe of him. On being introduced he
| favored me with a formal grasp of the
\ hand, and jerked out few words of hay-
/ ing heard of me before.
ave did not begin to drop down the
river till the day was fairly advanced, and
/ / had scarcely got my traps in order when
| 1t was time TO dress for dinner. In those
| DAYS the captain would have been insrlted
| If his passengers did not turn oat in luil
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, o.
/ purser's end This did not at first EEL in
clined to regret, as the prospect appeared
] that we should be little more free aud