Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-14

SIpDENL1 WE HEAhp DhEAl WILLIE
OF MUSKETRY.
broken ground, and l thought, al
though l could see nothing, that a gen.
eral engagement had broken out. The
Bart laughed at my idea, however, and
explained that the sound came from
h English camp, where every man
emptied his piece each morning 50 as
to make sure of having a dry printing.
in another mile we shall be up with
the outposts," said he.
| glanced around at this and l per-
ceived that we had trotted along at so
good a pace during the time that we
were keeping up our pleasant chat that
the dragon with the lame horse was
altogether out of sight. l looked on
every side, but in the whole of that
vast rocky valley there was no one save
only the Bart and both of u armed,
you understand, and both of us well
mounted. l began to ask myself
whether after all it was quite neces-
sary that | should ride that mile which
would bring me to the British out
posts.
Now l wish to be very clear with Won
on this point, my friends, for | would
not have you think that | was acting
dishonorably or ungratefully to the
man who had helped me away from the
brigands. You must remember that of
all duties the strongest is that which a
commanding officer owes to his men.
You must also bear IN mind that war ia
a game which is played under fixed
rules, and when these rules are broken
n must at once claim the forfeit. If,
for example, | had given a parole, then
I should nave been an infamous wretch
had l dreamed of escaping. But no
parole had been asked of me. Out of
overcOnfidence and the chance of the
lame horse dropping behind, the Bart
had permitted me to get upon equal
terms with him. Had it been l who
had taken him | should have used him
as c~ourteously as he had me, but at the
same time l should have respected his
enterprise SO far as to have deprived
him of his sword, and seer that | had
at least guard besides myself. |
refined up my horse and explained this
to him, asking him at the same whether
he saw any breach of honor in my leav-
ing him. ~
He thought about it, and several
times repeated that which the English
say when they mean Mon Dieu." You
would give me the slip, would you?'
said he.
If you a give no treason against it"
"The only a hat l can think
of" said the Bart, sis that l should in
s%tantly cut your head off if you should
attempt it."
1.-TWO can play at that game, my dear
Fart" said l.
"Then We'll see who can play it
best" he cried, pulling out his sword.
l had drawn mine also, but l was
quite determined not to hurt this adj
mirable young man who had been my
b~enefactor.
"~Consider." said I. "You say that I
am your prisoner. 1 might with equal
reason say that you are mine. We are
alone here, and though l have nodoubt
that you are an excellent swordsman,
you would hardly hope to hold your
own against the best blade in the six
light cavalry b~rigades."
His answer was a cut at my head. 1
parried and shore off half of his white
plume. He thrust at my breast. l
turned his point and cut away the other
half of his cockadc.
Curse your monkey tricks.' he cried,
as | wheeled my horse away from him.
why should you strike at me- said
1. you see that l will not strike
back"
That's all very we'll" said he. "But
you've got to come along with me to the
camp"
Il shall never see the camp" said I.
"Iu lay you nine to four you do" he
cried, as he made at me. sword in hand.
But those words of his put something
new into my head. Could we not de-
eide the matter in some better way than