The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1894-04-12

fla w DIV
became family audible. The orders,
'Prerare for review and Ito the rear
open order" were instantly followed
by stentorian action front" down at
the left, the instant leap and rush of
some thirty nimble cannoneers. shouts
OF drive on the cracking of whips,
the thunder and rumble of wheels, the
thud of plunging hOofs. Forty-eight
mettlesome horses in teams of two
abreast went dancing briskly away to
the rear, at sight of which Minor
dropped his jaw and the point Of his
sword and sat gazing blanklv after
them. over the bowed head of his placid
sorTel, wondering what on earth it
meant that they should all be running
away. at the very instant when he ex.
pected them to brace up for review. But
before he could give utterance to his
thoughts eight glossy teams in almost
simultaneous sweep to the left about
came sharply around again. The black
muzzles of the guns were pointed to
the front, every axle exactly IN the
prolongation of his front rank. every
little group of red-topDed. red-tr:mned
eannoneers standing erect and square.
the chiefs Of section and of pieces sit
ting like statues on their handsome
horses, the line OF limbers accurately
covering the guns, and, still farther
back, Mr.. Pierce could be heard Shout-
ing his orders for the. alignment of the
caissons In the twinkling of an eve
the rush and thunder were stillcd. the
battery without the twitch of muscle
stood ready for review. and old Brax.
sitting gloomily in saddle at the re-
viewing point, watching the stirring
sight with gloomy and cynical eve,
was chafed still more to hear in sill
very voice from the group of la,!ies the
unwelcome words: "Oh. wasn't that
pretvF! He meant with all his heart
to pull in some Of the plumage OF those
COMPOUNDED ''woodpeckers." as he
called them, before the day was over.
In grim silence, therefore. he rode
along the front Of the battalion. TAX
Ing little comfort in the neatness OF
their quaint, old-fashioned garb, the
singie-breasted, long-skirted frock
coats. the bullying black felt hats
Topped up on one side and declked with
skinny black feather, the glisteuing
shoulder-scales and circular breast
plates, the polish of their black leather
belts, cartridge and cap boxes and bay
onet scabbards. 1t was all trim and
soldierly, but he was bottling up his
sense o. annoyance for the benefit
Of Cram and his people. Yet. what
could he say? Neither he nor Mi
nor had ever before been brought
into such relations with the light
artillery, and he simply didn't
know where to hit. Lots of things
looked queer, but after this I'M
tial experience he felt it best to say
nothing until he could light on a point
that no one could gainsay, and hs
found it in front of the left section.
Where is Mr.. Waring. sir?' he
sternly asked.
II wish ! knew, colonel. His horse
came back without him. as you doubt
less saw, and. as he hasn't appeared, /
am afraid of accident"
''How did he come to leave his post,
sir? have no recollection of author
izing anything of the kind
"--rtainly not, colonel He rode
ba2., to his quarters with nv consent
before adjutant's call had sounded. |
and he should have been with US again
in abundant time"
THAT young gentleman needs more
discipline than he is apt to get at this
rate, Capt. Cram. and | desire that you
pay closer attention to his move