The record-union., 1897-12-12

! upon the savage, tore him from his
hold. and then buried his bayonet in
the broad red chest. Then he turned
to assist the General to rise.
Thank you, Amos said Floyd.
gasping for, breath. If you had not
come just when you did you would have
been left without a leader I am your
debtor for this" "
He rushed away, and. ais the sun
rose, allowing him TO survey the whole
field of operations, ordered his right wing
and the cavalry to charge simuitane-
ously. The effect was immediate. Face
to face with those long lines of glitter
ing steel. the Creeks lost heart and
I fled through the swamps, leaving be-
hind them q. trail of dead and wounded.
The battle was won, though the white
men had not come off scatheless.
An hour later, while the hungry SOL
diers were breaking their fast. Amos
Duerden stallxed gloomiiy into his COM
mander's tent Il have come to make
a confession. General" he began. with
out preface. Il have come to ask that
l may be placed under arrest
rs the man gone out of his wits?'
cried Floyd, considerably astonished
What ails you, Amos? Has the fight
proved too much for your stomach?
Here, drink a cup Of this He hand
ed hIm some wine Twill bring back
the color to your cheeks
Amos drained the cup. General" he
began, unsteadily, this is my fault.
There is not a man of ours lying dead
there in the pine woods and swamps
who Goes not owe his death to me-
In few simple words he told the Cen
eral the story of his temptation and
his fall. Had l not left my post" he
concluded, the warning would have
reached you in time. your dispositions
would have been made. and the enemy
beaten back without the loss of man
l am deserter General, and 1 de-
serve a deserter's fate
At this Floyd looked up quickly. His
His face was grave. for he was a SOL
der first of all, and knew the gravity
of the fault of which Amos accused
himself. But he was also a man, and
the trouble in the young mans face
as he stood there confessing what, but
for that confession. must for ever have
remained undiscovered, touched him,
and ne answered, not unkindly:
My lad, your offense is a grave one.
l could not tell you aught else. But
you have striven to atone, as few 9TH
ers would have done, to my thinking;
and besides, you were, after all, in
time TO give the alarm and to prevent
complete surprise. Surprise or no sur
prise. the attack would have been
made l have little doubt and those
who are slain would have been slain
If you hold it otherwise, then your
punishment is great enough. I have
no wish to make it heavier. Go: I will
forget that you have made this report
to me- The story shall never pass my
lips. | know you, and l am sure you
Will never give way again.
mo, that is very true, General" an
swered Amos, in so strange a manner
that the General glanced obviously at
him. You are too generous, General -
he went on, his face white and set,
his lips trembling, his voice husky
You may forgive me, but / cannot
forgive myself. Had l done my duty
and trusted in God for the rest, all
would have been WELL As it is. I feel
like a murderer; I know 1 am a de-
serter. Give me over to the fate I have
earned. l demand a court-martial."
Floyd sprang to his feet. What he
cried you demand a court-martial? 4?
You ask that 1, your General, whose
life you have saved, should send you to
shameful death. which you by no
means deserve By heaven! l will
not do it. Go away and sleep, my poor
fellow. When you are rested and re-
freshed you will see things in a diff
ferent light"
But Amos stood by his ground firmly
and shook his head with a melancholy
smile. mo, General he said lit must
not be. l shall never see things in any
other light. Death deserve and death
am ready to meet, and it is fitting
that death should come to me at the
hands of those l have betrayed. Listen
to me, General" he went on in a low.
intense voice; IF you refuse to allow
me to expiate my sin, / swear to you
l will go into the woods and take my
own life, as I so nearly did last night.
l will not live to hear men say, There
goes a cowardi' /"
But, mailman, who will know?'' cried
Floyd, at his Wits end to know how
to deal with the brave, but wrong
headed Amos.
4 shall know, General" said Amos
81 see how it is; you leave me no re-
source He bowed and turned to leave
the tent.
Stop" roared Floyd, stepping In
front of him and thrusting him aside
"Orderly!"
The Orderly entered the tent. Gen
eral?"
Send me a Corporal and a file of
men"
Presently they appeared. Here" :"
said Floyd roughly, arrest this man
and keep him under close guard until
send for him. See to it that he does
not escape"
Amos cast a glance at the General
as much as to say. You might have
spared me that" and followed the Cor
porars guard.
An hour later he was back again,
with a soldier ON either side of him,
while in front sat Floyd and his senior
officers to try his case
Gentlemen" began the General,
this business need not detain us long.
The prisoner, Amos Duerden, was on
guard at the farthest outpost, when
for reasons purely personal he chose to
desert, leaving the approach open to
the enemy. Prisoner, you are charged
with deserting your post in time of
war. Do you plead guilty or not
guilty?"
Guilty" answered Amos firmly,
though a hot flush of shame spread
over his face as he felt rather than
caU the start of s1lYprie.fa Of the soldiers
at his side. The officers at the table