The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-19
A BIG RUNAWAY.

heved that his career was made.
He pictured the day when ho would
return to his native Norfolk village
wearing an officers uniform and the
Victoria cross. This was foolish
dream, but his 20 years had been spent
entirely in 1he country.
Tom was a genial fellow, with many
good traits. and the blind bravery of a
Ghazi fanatic. Under different cir
cumstances all that was best in him
might have come to tho front. But he
went to India in Il time of peace Ho
fell among bad companions and BEGAN
addicted to drinking, gambling and
host of minor evils. His popularity in
creased among the men in proportion to
his bad record among tho officers.
AT the end of year Tom Rallies was
considered the worst scapcgrace in the
regiment-in all India, somo did not
scruple to say. Half his time was spent
in the guardhouso or doing extra duty.
Moro than once he tried to reform, but
failed. Then he became reckless and
took life on the fatalist theory.
In three years ho served ut as many
different military stations. Then the
heavy battcry-for Tom was a gunner
was transferred to Lahore, away up
in the Punjab.
The officer under whose command the
battery now came was Colonel STRAIT
ford. rigid martinez, but withal IA Just
man. His affections were ccntcred on
his 17-year-old SON Bcrtic, who had re.
Gently come out from England Bcrtie
was as handsome and plucky IL lad as
one could wish to see. he did pretty
much as he chose and was idolized by
officers and men alike.
Bcrtic Immediately struck up an ac-
quaintance with Tom Rallies, and it
speedily ripcned TO fast friendship.
Both hailed from Noriolkslrc, and they
had many reminiscent chat about
sailing AMI fishing OH the famous
Breads.
Rallies believed that Bertic was igno-
rant of his bad reputation, so he be-
haved himself admirably for whole
month. The colonel was secretly
pleased. He sometimes allowed BERTHE
to ride on Rallies gun carriage behind
the two elephants.
But evil days We're coming. BERTHE
went north to Rawal Pindi on a visit.
and the next day it was reported Off
cially that the Black mountain tribes
were not going to fight.
This double blow was too much for
Rallies. In a freak of madness, in
duced by intoxication, he surreptitious-
ly borrowed an officers uniform and
horse one dark night and rode out to
the environments.
Two days later a squad Of cavalry
found him at the palace of tho rajah
of Mutton. He had just dined with
the native prince and was expatiating
on the merits of his hosts costly cigars
and wine.
This meant court martial, and Raj
files resigned himself to the inevitable
during the week that he lay in dark
cell.
Then it CHANGED that the governor
general and his staff come north on n
tour OF inspection. a grand review
and mancuvcrs were ordered at Lahore
environments.
Colonel Stratford was in Quaudary.
He had no gunner whom he could trust
to fill Rallies place on so important an
occasion. Rallies had even more control
over the two elephants than their native
drivers. Sultan, the leader, was great
~ attached to him. So, rather than
run the risk of spelling the review, the
colonel decided to establish military
precedent by granting Raflles short
leave OF absence from the guardhouse.
At sunrise ON the appointed day the
plain before the environments was
scene of martial glory Bodies of cav
n rIv ,f,
amid sparkle of arms and equipments.
The heavy battery came last-six pol
ished guns, mounted by six proud ar
tillerymen. Each gun carriage was
drawn by two burly elephants, and ON
top of each elephant was turbaned
Hindoo, with steel prod in his hand.
AT last the governor general and
staff arrived from Lahore, and the cere-
monies began. A certain order was
given to the heavy battery. AS they
fell into motion BERTHE Stratford leaped
upon Rallies gun carriage.
Raffles wished that he could sink out
of sight. His face turned red and pur
pie. II thought you were at Rawal
Pindi, he stammered. Il came back
last night" replied BERTHE. 81 say,
Rallies, I'm awfully sorry for you.
Whatever possessed you to-
I'm afraid you'll get in trouble for
this interrupted Rallies, pretending
not to understand. 1.-The colonel will
he furious TO see an outsider on a gun
carriage mt snch time. Why, we're
right III the middle of the review
:" lie don see me yet said BERTHE.
Hes too much taken with his lord
SLID Anyway | can't jump off now"
nus was true. since the battery was
tlCDGll1W :itpn, nt would ,,,;t De