The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-25
THE BALL CARTRIDGE.
CHAPTER 7

into something very like discord by the
echoes from the great buildings. gave notice
Of speedy occupation. AS the band round
ed the farthest block. the echoes ceased.
and the full melody Of 1.-The Campbells are
Comm rang out clear and crisp. while
her Sajestys Observation-Disclosures Reg
imerNof the Line-better known as the
Queens own Hamilton Highlanders"-de-
filed IN fours on the parade ground eight
hundred strong. The battalion was return
ing from practicing a new skirmishing drill
with blank cartridge on the sandy scrub
at the rear of the barracks. When the last
files were well clear of the barracks the
Colonel turned his horse aside from the
head of the regiment; quarter column was
smartly formed on the leading company.
and the word was given to halt and stand
at ease. At a sign from the chief the Off
GERS fell out and grouped themselves around
him; the men were called to attention, and
the parade was dismissed. IN a moment
the orderly formation was dissolved into
a swarming mass of hungry soldiers hurry
ing to their respective barrack rooms in
tent on breakfast
But the Colonel still sat motionless on his
horse in the center Of the parade ground.
surrounded by his officers This was the
time at which, If anything had gone wrong
with the drill. he would improve the oc-
casion and administer soldierly lecture 10
the delinquent; but to-day all the latest
Joined subaterns had clear consciences-
the drill had been performed without a
blunder, and there seemed TO be no reason
why the customary Good morning. gentle
men should not be spoken at once There
was no cloud on the Coloners Manufactured
but kindly face; he appeared only thought
full ard rs tl.Cueh he Vere waiting AS a
of hot &c
Ing. As soon as the last laggard of the
rank and file had passed beyond the pos
sibity of hearing, he looked down on the
uptuTned faces around him and said very
9uleIV: hSIentemen, l know you will be
Twice this morning in the course of the
practice | was shot at with ball cartridge"
Discipline prevailed and spoke but
the nttle group unconsciously pressed near
er. and the combination of suppressed emo
The Colonel, keenly i'm touch with those
confronting him, evidently felt and was
moved by; the angry horror his announce
ment had called forth; he stopped down
and patted his chargers neck before pro-
ceeding; 1T is not the first time. on Tues
day L thought heard a bullet pass close
TO me. but not being positively certain,
decided, for the credit of the regiment. to
say nothing; To-day there was no room for
doubt. One ball just cleared my left shout
der. within a couple of inches of my ear
the other, as you see, made its mark Both
shots were fired in quick succession when
was on the rough ground at the rear of
the hospital" He held up his bride arm
and plainly visible TO every one was a bull
let hole through the sleeve cuff.
The sight was too much for the senior
major-comrade and trusty friend of the
COlOners since they fought side by side as
boy ensigns at Alma. Throwing parade
ground etiquette to the winds, he blurted
out Good heavens Macleod. you're not
hit, are your while excited murmur Of
surmise and suggestion began TO be audible
among the others.
The Colonel held up his hand again-for
silence this time. ~ did not detain you
gentlemen he said, "to discuss the matter
here. but merely to inform you of what has
deavor to put their finger the man who
fired at me. AT the same time, you are to
take ii as a positive order not to let sus-
picion Of this leak out. Tell no one but the
color sergeants. and impress it on them that
they are only taken into confidence in or
der 10 assist your inquiries. If 1 find that
so much as a rumOr gets about among the
men or outside, I'll break every color SER
geant in the regiment. For the honor of the
corps we must discover the delinquent with
out any fuss. and that being so, directly
you have clew you will report TO me be
fore making an arrest. In the meanwhile
this is not 10 be referred to at mess or any
where in public. think that is ALL gentle
"en. 1 thank you for your sympathy and
you good morning"
Colonel Macleod turned his horse towards
the officers lines and rode off slowly ac-
companied by the two majors and the adju-
tant. The unmounted officers strOlled after
In twos and threes In the same direction,
and 1t was relief to them to hear the
chief, now that the stiffness of duty ETH
Quette was relaxed. explaining TO his COM
Macleod was adored by officers and men
alike. Stern and unbending enough on duty
and in the field. in private he was the guide
ranks the ColonePs person and the honor
of the Hamilton Highlanders were the two
most sacred things on earth.
And now both these cherished possessions
had been threatened with startling sudden
ness by the foul deed Of the morning. Small
wonder was IL that those to whose aston
fshed ears the secret had been intrusted
should be ag1tated and anxious as they
sought their quarters. The chief point in
the minds Of all was the utter absence of
motive; for crime" In the military sense
was almost nonexisting in the happy and
contented ranks of the regiment, and pun
ishment with its consequent heart burn
ings, was therefore rarity. The Colonel
had not even had occasion to confine a man
TO barracks for nearly year.
1T is the act of a mailman; one of the
Stuart Dalzel, the only subaltern of G.
Company present with the battalion, as he
paced by the side Of Alec Frazer, his cap
That is the only explanation 1 can see
the other, thOughtfully.
rs there not the alternative of accident?'
asked Dalzell. 1T is not unknown in other
regiments for ball cartridges to get mixed
With blank ammunition"
That must be left out of the question in
this case" said Frazer. THE fact of the
Colonel having been narrowly missed on
Tuesday, and again twice to-day, bars such
superstition If there had been any mis-
take in the ammunition the odds a
hundred TO one that some one else besides
the chief would have heard felt the bull
lets. There is some influence at work more
dangerous than error, L fear; and if l am
right in my Judgment it concerns you and
me rather more closely than the other fell
lows. Here we are at my bungalow. Come
In, Dalzell, and 1 will tell you what 1
mean"
Captain Frazer led the way to the
Veranda, where several Bombay chairs were
set out ready for guests, after the hospita-
Die fashion of the East Motioning his
companion to be seated, before joining him
he called his Hindu servant and told him
TO run over to the barracks and tell Ser
geant Ferguson to come to the bungalow
as soon as he had finished breakfast. Then
he sat down by his friend and subaltern
and put into words q suspicion which was
already half formed in the minds OF both.
Il see by your face that you have guessed
the drift of my hint. nalZell," he began.
The scoundrel or lunatic who is at the
Bottom of this outrage belongs to @ Com
pany as sure you and / sit here On us
two and on Ferguson-for he must help us
lies the onuS of saving dear old Macleod
from the danger that threatens him Inc
worst OF Ii is that our success IN that Ill
rectiOn, which we must move heaven ana
earth to attain, will most likely mean ever
lasting ignomy to the regiment, and 10 our
own company in particular"
You arrive at this conclusion from the
position of c. COMPANY at the time the ShOtS