The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1900-05-17
Y we are to stand here u trussed Up ike

we are to stand here trussed up like
this 81 g
n ~ propose, captain said the red
headed man, "a that we shoot these men
where they stand, and report to the
general. They are spies. They are
armed, and they denyit. It's according
to the rules of war, captain!' Ssss
Rules of war! What do you know
Of the rules of war, you red-headed
Senegambian? Rules of Hoyle! Your
line is digging sewers, I imagine.
Come, captain, undo these ropes, and
make up your mind quickly. Trot us 1
along to Gen. O'Neill just as fast as you
can. The sooner you get us there the
more time you will have for being sor-
ry over what you have done.'
But the captain still hesitated and
looked from one to the other of his
men, as if to make up his mind wheth-
er they would obey him if he went to
extremities. Yates quick eye noted
that the two prisoners had nothing to
hope for, even from the men who
smiled. The shooting of two unarmed
and bound men seemed to them about
the correct way of beginning great
struggle for freedom. ~ Il
''Well," said the captain at length,
1--WE must do it in the proper form, so
suppose we should have court-mar-
tial Are you agreed?' %
They were unanimously agreed.
Look here" cried Yates, and there
was a certain impressiveness in his
voice in spite of his former levity, this
farce has gone just as far as it is going.
Go inside the tent there, and in my
coat pocket you will find telegram,
the first of dozen or two received by
me within the last twenty~four hours
Then you will see whom you propose
to shoot"
The telegram was found and the
captain read it, while Tim held the
lantern. He looked from under his
knitted brows at the newspaper man.
Then you are one of the Argus
staff
II am chief of the Argus staff AS
you see, five of my men will be with
Gen. O'Neill Tomorrow The first
question they will ask him will be:
Where is Yates?' The next thing that
will happen will be that you will be
hanged for your stupidity, not by
Canada nor by the state of New York,
but by your own general, who will
curse your memory ever after. You
are fooling, not with a subject this
time, but with citizen, and your gen
eral is not such an idiot as to monkey
with the United States government
81 -
with the great American press. Come,
captain, we've had enough of this. Cut
these cords just as quickly as you can,
and take us to the general. We were
going to see him in the morning any
how
"But this man says he is Canadian"
That's all right. My friend is me.
If you touch him you touch me. Now
hurry up. Climb down from your
perch. shall have enough of trouble
now, getting the general to forgive all
the blunders you have made tonight,
without your adding insult to injury.
Tell your men to unite us and throw the
ropes back into the: tent. It will soon
be daylight. Hustle, and let us be
off,
"Untie theln,'' said the captain, with
a sigh.
Yates shook himself when his arms
regained their freedom.
"Now, Tim,'' he said run into that
tent and bring out my coat. It's chilly
here
Tim did instantly as requested, and
! helped Yates on with his coat.
Good boy!" said Yates. you've evil
IDENTIFY been porter in hotel.' Tim
| grinned.
II Think" said Yates, meditatively,
THAT if you look under the right-hand
bunk, Tim, you will find jug. 1t be-
longs to the professor, although he has