The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-29

| own, WHICH, carefully folded, he MD away
| in the foliage. Then he buried the body
again. gave it, second prayer as interest
on the loan, and with a light heart danced
away on his adventure, caring little
whether his own interment were the next
to take place in these parts.
In the appropriate uniform, Captain
DAILY, with his Celtic appearance. passed
muster well enough for an officer of Chas-
seurs; so well indeed that one of his own
| veGettes let fly a carbine bullet at him
when he emerged from cover at the far
| side of the trees.
BAD luck to the man. growled Captain
Daily. as he marked the fall of the projec-
| tile; he sees as crooked as a rams horn.
| It's ashamed of him l am that he didr'
hit me. If / was Boney himself, I'd lay
| seventeen TO two he'd miss me ali the
same
Jutting his hands to his mouth he bel
| lowed:
IT'S reprimand you'll be having, my
friend, if live to give it to you
Passing on, he approached the river bank
by a route as devious as time would per-
NIT. and keeping his body crouched low,
searched for signs of ferryboat Of some
kind. He continued this endeavor until he
| had jouTneyed about a mile along the
bank, to where the houses of the hamlet
lay right opposite to him, and consequent
ly, concealed him from the view OF the
! French post on the hill. The stream here
was narrow. and as there was nothing to
be found in the shape of a boat he decided
to risk everything and swim across. He
was strengthened in this resolve by the
| reflection that he was not wearing his own
clothes, which he could have Ill afforded
to spoil, seeing that he had gained away
| every article Of apparel not essential to de-
| ccncy. In he pumped.
| The current was running stronger than
Captain DAILY had suspected, and the water
| was icy cold. He had not taken five
| strokes when he wished himself safe on
shore. He strove to turn back, but felt
| himself carried down stream, the, action
| of his already numbed limbs suflicing only
to keep his head above water.
Happily down stream meant southwark,
and. therefore. away from the opposing
| forces or he might well have had a bullet
/ put through his head by friend or foe,
as he struggled in the water, an inter-
! esting mark for weary sentinels. Present.
ly, after drifting in spite of himself many
hundred yards. his failing ears caught the
splash Of oars upon the circumambient
tides. A small boat was pulling across the
stream a stones throw ahead of him; in
it he caught the glimpse of a scarlet tunic.
That's lucky, by the Lordi" thought
Captain DAILY. and splitting the foam from
his mouth. yelped out: 'Helpi Murder!
| Fret"
The splash of oars came quicker, the
scarlet figure rose, and pointed a long
horse pistol at Days head
Halt or will killi''
The words came In English, but with
a foreign accent
"Arrahi are you talking to the current
or to me?" retorted DAILY, angriIy, trying
stranger.
Instantly the latter dropped his pistol,
and crying ''Je vous demande pardon, mon
anil stretched out long arm, and grab
bling him as the current swept him past
the boat
1t was a small. frail craft into which
Captain DAILY was pulled. 1t nearly turned
upside down during the operation, and
when DAILY had mopped the spray out OF
his eyes sufficiently to clear his vision, he
found himself in company with an evil Wis
aged Spanish waterman, and his rescuer,
who, seen near by. presented a most out
landish aspect. He was a man OF some for
ty years Of age. and wore fierce Gallo
beard. On his head he bore Hussar's bus
by, with the scarlet bag OF the Tenth; his
tunic was British infantry coatee, with
the tails Topped off; around his loins hung
q peasant woman's petticoat the hem of
which touched his calves, and beneath this
Captain DAILY perceived the high jacket
boots of the French Cuirassiers Lastly.
there was suspended from his belt Scot
fish claymore. and also (this from the
buckle) horsehair plume.
Daily gaped at this monstrosity with
something approaching awe.
rs It the Alcalde of the village. or
lunatic, or what?" he asked himself
The moneter srniled eass,irin1lu
Have no fear he said. Although /
wear the Scottish uniform, am as good
Frenchman as yourself
''The devil you are!" thought Captain
DAILY. and If that's the Scottish uni
form come from Pekin"
He quickly gathered that the Frenchman
was stan officer carrying dispatches to
Marshal Stout. in the supposed disguise of
| Highlander; but from whom the des-
patches came DAILY could not for the life
Of him make out
The Freachman had been travelling by
four-horsed chaise, which was too big for
the wherry, and had TO be left at the other
side OF the stream. He hoped to be able
to find vehicle and horses at the village
with which 70 continue his Journey
He asked DAILY whether he knew of any
cattle bsing available, and the latter. after
an affectation of cudgelling his brains, de-
clared that he would not like to say yes,
for fear Of causing disappointment, should
he prove to be wrong.
The aide-de-camp suggested that prob
ably some Of Days Chasseurs would be
found in the village, whereupon the gallant
officer replied that IL was impossible for
him to be sure, as he had been absent for
some days. having been taken prisoner by
the English. from whom he had only Just
escaped.
Il see you have recovered your sword"
observed the stranger, shade suspicious
ly.
II never palted with it." answered DAILY.
in tones which made the stranger forget
his doubts OF him in his admiration for
his spirit.
You must share my carriage with me-"
/ cried the aide-de-camp. You WHY, No
doubt, have much information concerning
the English 10 impart TO the Marshal Tell
me, what is their moral state? / hear they
are afraid
Afraid" answered DAILY, 81 should
think so. The officers are hiding behind
the men, the men behind the horses. the
horses behind the hedges, and the hedges"
- he pulled up abruptly. They are in
describably afraid"
''Ha, hat" laughed the aide-de-camp de
lightedly; "and they would be ten times
more afraid If they knew what l have in
| the lining OF my tunic."
indeed" said Captain DAILY, Il doubt
/ II anything could make them more afraid"
NOT eVen,' cried the aide de-camp III
! they knew that the Emperor and the
Guard were within striking distance of
! them"
/ The boat had reached the shore. and
| DAILY was stepping out when :e heard
( these words. whereupon he stumbled heava