San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-06-11

at D., fortress of considerable size in the
south of England.
In order that the circumstances Of the ad
venture | am about TO describe may be
understood | must explain, at the risk of be-
ing tedious, that the citadel of the fortress in
which my regiment lay is defended by two
circles of dry bitches, each about fifty feet
wide The side walls of these bitches, tech
nically known as escarps and counterscarps,
are, as was usual In Notifications of that
date, riveted with masonry, and are perpen-
dcular
The outer circle ditch is thirty feet deep,
the bottom being paved with fagstones The
inner ditch is forty feet deep, anu is similar
ly paved, so | need scarcely say that fall
from the edge would be almost certainly
Satal. The regular approach to the fortress
is by wide road of gradual ascent so con-
trived as to be raked by fire from one or
other of the bastions or outworks throughout
its course. 1t crosses the bitches over draw
bridges, protected by special works of great
strength.
In time of war these draw bridges would be
kept raised, and would only be lowered tenn
porarily on urgent occasions When raised
the fortress would be inaccessible from with
out unless scaling ladders were used to cross
the bitches. In time of peace, however, the
drawbridges are rarely raised, a strong guard,
nevertheless, being invariably posted over
them.
For the convenience of the officers and GER
tain of the residents of the citadel, there was
a short cut which might be used. This was
footpath up the steep side of the cliff, through
a strongly guarded postern gate. The path
led in zigZag fashion up to the counterscarps
of the bitches, which were crossed by light
plank bridges, so designed as to be removable
with great ease in few minutes. None but
officers quartered in the citadel, and a few
persons with special permits signed by the
officer commanding the garrison We're allowed
to make use of this short cut, the soldiers and
others who had occasion to visit the citadel
being restricted to the main approach.
At the time of which l write | had been
newly promoted to the rank of captain, and
Xerxes himself was not prouder of his vast
army than of my gallant little company. |
was lucky as to the promotion, and my zeal
had not been so damped by long years of
subaltern life as to prevent my throwing my
self heart and soul into the work of superin
tendence.
was ambitious to have my company rec
was convinced of the hopelessness of success
unless could inspire my men with the same
pride in the company that had myself In
order to succeed, felt sure that | should en-
deavor to become acquainted with the char
Gcter and disposition of every member of the
company; to gain their respect by strict at
tention to duty; and to earn their affection
by constant sympathy, and by aifOrding such
IL, Iii,
captain frequently has it in his power to give
Since my appointment had tried to work on
on this system, and though, of course, had
occasional disappointments, on the whole
had no reason TO complain.
For an infantry captain was toIerably
well Oft, and being very fond of outdoor
sports, encouraged cricket and other games
by presents of bats, balls and other materials
and spent much Of my time in cricket matches
among the men. 1t was not long before
began to acquire considerable insight into the
character of the men and learned to distin
guish my black sheep, actual and possible.
Among the younger men of the company
was u lad of the name of Adair Cameron. !
had horror Of favoritism, the bad effects
of which | had often seen, but it was impos
sible not to feel a strong interest in this
young fellow. Clean and soldierlike in ap-
;earance, smart at drill, well set up and
steady as a rock, he was model of what
young soldier should be. A deadly bowler
he was one of the mainstays of our com
pany's cricketing team, and as matches vert
frequent | saw much of him and nothing tc
find fault with.
Though carefully avoided taking undue
notice of Cameron, the natural instinct
which | think men have to find out their
friends and their enemies made me aware
that, while | liked him, he, on his side, was
warmly attached to me.
One day a batch Of recruits arrived at
headquarters. The adjutant, being away on
leave, had got me to do his duties for him,
and | was busy all the afternoon drafting
the new arrivals into companies, and arrang-
ing for their rations and bedding.
About half an hour before mess was sit
ting in my room in the citadel BARRACKS,
rather tired, when | heard a knock at the
door, and my color sergeant appeared.
Private Cameron wishes to know if he
could speak to you, sir1" said he, saluting.
Certainly" replied. Tel him to come
in"
Cameron entered. saluted, and stood silent,
looking i'll at ease.
We'll, Cameron, what is it?" inquired
PLEASE, sir, wished to speak about some
thing private"
well, what is it," asked again.
Cameron hesitate;l, and looked at the color
,ergeaHA who looked straight to his front.
| knew it was not regular for an officer tc
confer with private soldiers without non.
commissioned officer being present, but knew
Cameron might be trnstaI thnrouo-LI--
::!Z@"I2t! 5ii5 v0iUT sergeant TO wait In the pas
sage, and, closing the door, asked Cameron
to tell me his story The lad seemed in great