Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-01-16

VIM - EIh A.
TIE LIEUTENANT FINDS HASDRERCHTEF
Tho chateau was still burning when
Curtis reached Il with his new follower
and though the flames were subsi'ling there
was light enough to see whore Baldwin's
tower stood, dark and massive, against
tho pillows of rcddenod smoke twas still
untouched, Indeed there seemed to bo III.
tie beyond the buildings Of the basso-cour
consumed, for tho gale had blown tho fire
from the main part Of the place.
They might we'll have entered there and
then, but the plundcFers were still in pos
session, crying to one another and quarrel
ing as they gathered tho spoil. So Curtis
thought II best to lio concealed, and, spy
ing great beech tree which spread its
limbs not tar from tho gate, tho two
climbed into 1t to await their occasion.
Duckot was willing enough to remain,
not only from his dread OF being alone in
the night, but from surly kindness ho
had for the lieutenant.
Curtis had always taken u strong inter.
est in the man, regarding his cDso ms ono
OF peculiar hardship, MS indeed IL was.
For It happened one night shortly after
the declaration OF war when seamun were
hard to lnd, and the press so hot In Ports.
mouth that bucket kept close within
DOORS that he had been compelled to ven
ture forth In search Of Il midwife for his
wife Then IL was that a detachment Of
the press gang, Of which Curtis WAS in
command. had fallen In with the lucklcss
fellow and seized him to serve the king.
His rcsistance was fierce and desperate,
nor was It till blow from stretchor had
laid him out that they could get him
aboard
Thus II was not In time to do any good
TINT Curtis knew the painful oircum-
stances OF the case Everything he could
do hn did, but such mon MS bucket wore
too precious 10 bo LOST, and he bad to stay
Tho lieutenant was untlring in trying 10
reconcile him 20 the service, but his best
efforts barely nyalled to keep tho man
quiet, and no sooner was Curtis appointed
to "a separate command, and his kindly in.
ilucnco withdrawn, than bucket had
broken out again at some petty not Of
tyranny that his sulsing had brought up
on him, nnd. Smlrtirg under tho savage
! punishment that followed, had deserted at
/ this first opportunity.
Curtis Ind no reason to believe he had
made any Impression on tho man. 'rhe
character no had earned himself during
! tho few weeks ho was with the ship was
so black that, but for u prick Of conscience,
the officer would have spared himself his
! thankloss task, Even now the creator
! part of the way MP TO the chateau the fell
! low had done nothing but growl over his
4 wrongs, oursipR the servlcO and tho laws
/ and exultiug over his defiance Of both. AS
the two sat crouohing together In tho
/ branches hu told for tho second or third
time how he had got away, as II In q NOR
/ bid desire to force from tho officer some
word OF rcpTohAtion.
! ~ amt ashamed Of It, )" he said florcely
/ ut the end, whom Curtis would give him
no word OF praise or blame. II would do
/ Il ngainl'
| II hope not" answered Curtis
~ would do IL 10 times" returned
bucket ruduly.
swell, 1t was n hard case, my Ind" an.
swered the lieutenant.
J And so they foil into silence, till bucket,
with tho instinct OF the forecastlp, felt that
manners demanded OF him chance for his
comrade. And how might you have got
clear, sirG" no asked almost respectfully.
"Oh, my yarn Ia little TO make u song
about" returned Curtis, nothing loath,
"'Twas simple enough. The oflicOr In
command Of our party would have me to
his room In tho inn--whon hu found l
spoke his llngo---fUr a yarn and hand Mt
| piquot, and won't say II wasn't Tor n
drink too. But mounsocr ran toss pot
no better than he can lay gun. had
still oil standing when he struck, though
| don't deny being bit batt0rod-stlli
was not too badly damaged To undress MIN
whilo he lay snoring undor the table, and
that's how got these pretty clothes, dye
seoY IL was n seuryy trick to plny on .
mnn who had dono his best TO let you DO
drunk, and all ut hts own expense too. A
scurvy triok-but what was to doS ANS
fair in war, and besides can remember
trying long time To cover him up decent
ly with the cards.
| "l.iko blamed babc In the wood, :"
| gruntod bucket with sound that was
probably u laugh
81 must have been pretty full myself, :"
Curtis went on. II remember how tho
things kept slipping of, and ! was sure
they would stick on noxt try, | ain afraid
II was n poor job, after all.
And how did you get out, slri" asked
bucket
IL expect II was by tho window" ro-
piled tho lieutenant; "but l am no; tho
man TO say for certain. woke In u sheep
cot. The guard must have been too weak
20 chase, for when | opened my eyes the
smoke Of tho Drcst FORCES was still In
sight, so was nblo TO got departure and
] lay my coursc,"
+, SO thoy yarned together In the troo Of
their adventures, ald OF l'aroehol, and of
| tho great victory, aud Ducket sworr that
country that treated Its scanicn SO 81 did
not deserve that they should win her sreh
| glory. and none tho less hs damned Ills
t--A ~ u':1 not Iherc-