Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-04-09
AN AWKWARD MOMENT.

"Iou must have been in some pretty
tight places at different times. Roger.
We know what you got the cross 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 before the
cheerful fire in the smoking-room of a
London military club. Both had the
bronzed faces and prematurely grizzled
hair which betoken long soiourns 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 wearcr had won that most priced
of English decorations. the Victoria Cross.
lie did not reply for minute or two to
his companions words. Apparently
they had called up many "reminiscences,
few of which were agreeable. but at last
a smile lighted up his features, and he
said:
"Ies, old boy: I've very often thought
my life wasn't going to last second
longer: but the most awkward moment
ever put in wasn't in the field"
"No? Then presume it was when
you were besieged 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,
swell, don't mind. Its twenty years
ago. and the telling can't hurt any one
now. Still, you will understand that the
names shall give you are not the true
ones, and you must promise not to try to
find out what those We're"
"All right. I'll be content with the
story"
Here goes. them" 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 insis-
ted on my taking years leave. There
was no canal in those days, and the plea
santcst 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 cabin to
myself on board the Winchester. of
, Greene's line. The purser. Watson,
. had met at some mess dinners in Calcut-
Ia. and he promised to make things as
pleasant H. possible. We had very few
passengers. mostly invalided 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
liked one of the regular navy. lie wore
II uniform and sword, and was very
severe of aspect and stiff in bearing.
found out afterward that he was IL regu
lar martinez. and the half-dozen midship
a siderable awe of him. On my being in
e trOduced, he favored me with forma
grasp of the hand, and ierked out few
;. words about having heard of me before.
q 1--WE did not begin to drop down tn
r river till the day was fairly advanced
5 and had scarcely got my traps in orde
e when it was time to dress for dinner II
those days the captain would have beer
>, insulted if his passengers did not turl
out in full evening toggery. We soldier
Ia were seated at table in accordance wit
our rank, and as had only just got m
company, | was pretty well down towar
the foot, or purser's end. This did nc
at first feel inclined to regret, as tn
prospect appeared that we should be
little more free and easy than were tn
fogies up at the top. But when | ha
got fairly settled into my place, locke
re toward the captain, and Immediately b'
" gan to deplore my insignificance. Sea
Of ed on his right was the prettiest girl
ID: had ever seen. Her eyes were-well, it