The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-03-24

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you sent for me, si1'9''
cluded, abruptly, staring round at the
circle of somewhat embarrassed faces.
eve heard some rumor about this,
captain" said the general. Suppose
you come into my Office and tell me the
whole story?"
"Why not right here, where they
can all hear?" was the instant answer.
"I'm told that more'n one man has
been at work trying to rob him of the
credit, and as for Mr.. Jennings, who
was our first officer, Igave the company
piece of my mind the moment / heard
it, and I've got tongue flashing in
store for him. 'Tain't the first I've had
to give him, either, and it won't be the
last if he ever runs foul of me again.
They tell me, what's more, that Esca-
lante's agent has had the impudence to
come here dozen times threatening
Mr.. Loring. Next time he comes You
have him kicked out and charge it to
me. That mans thief, and so, is one
Of the Escalantes-if not mure than
one. AS for Loring, he's head and
shoulders above any of the young fell
lows that have sailed with me, and
when l was fattened out by the rush Of
that oowardly gang he stood up to 'em
like man. That one shot Of his
brought 'em up with a jerk and put an
end to the trouble"
He broke off short and glanced about
h To tt,o 81 h
was an awkward moment. Three of the
group had had their doubts as to the
possibility of Loring's being culpable,
but SO disturbed and partially convinced
had been. the general and his chief Of
staff, SO active had been the aid-de-camp
referred to in his collection and dissem-
ination of scandal at Loring's expense,
that no one felt able to say anything
until the general himself had spoken.
The chief evidently felt his dignity as.
sailed and his commanding attitude inn
periled. No further revelations ought
to be allowed except such as should be
filtered through him or his accredited
staff officer.
Come into my den, captain. :" he ex-
claimed, therefore. "You interest me
greatly. and want to hear all about
it,"
"I'll come quick enough" said the
captain briefly, latter I've seen Loring.
l want to shake hands with him, say,
before do anything else. Where'll
find him?" And with most depressing
disregard of the general s greatness, the
sailor would have turned his back on
the entire party in order to find his in
jured friend, but the chief was strate-
gist.
"Ah, go to Mr.. Loring, captain, -
said he to ready staff officer, "and say
to him that l desire he should come to
my room momentl' And the aid-de-
camp was off like shot, SO the seaman
could only wait. The general led the
way into his comfortable room and sig
nailed to one or two to follow, and pres
emily back came his messenger and
moment after him-grave, composed,
but freezingly formal-therea at the door
stood the engineer. His eyes frightened
up the instant he laid them on the
ldaho's sturdy commander. but etiquette
demanded that he should first address
the general.
lyon sent for me, sir?''
II did, Mr.. Loring. Our good friend.
Captain Moreland, has been telling us Of
your -praiseworthy conduct
the night of the disaster. We all, wish
to assure you. are-er-gratified to hear
OF this And now it has occurred to me
that Captain Moreland might be able to
throw some light on the very unpleas-
ant matter which we had to bring to
your attention few weeks since. Sure.
~ he must know something of these
er-people who were your accusers. "
The general was seated at his big
desk. He was flanked by the alljutant
general and backed by brace Of aids.
Moreland. the mariner. was standing at
the table and started forward az Lorinp
entered as though to grasp his hand.
The general still considered t. essential
to observe certain air of formality in
speaking. 1t was as though he had be-
gun to believe Loring "A injured man,
and therefore he himself must be an aR-
grieved ono. for surely the lieutenant
should have spared the general the
modification Of being placed in the
wrong.
But to this tentative remark Mr..
Loring made no reply. He stood calmly
before the department commander, look
ing straight into his face, but did not
open his lips.
II say" repeated the general in
louder tone. 1.-THE captain appears to
know and may be able to tell us some-
thing about the people who were your
accusers. :"
Possibly. SIR" said Loring, finding
that he was expected to say eomethine,
bat with an indifference Of. manner