The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-13

other In civilian dress sprang to the aid
OF the sentry. One of them seized Ma
than's left. foot In both hands and by an
old and we'll known trick. suddenly heav-
Ing. tumbled the raging, red faced officer
headforemost out of the saddle. He
landed heavily. but labored presently to
his feet choking with fury and we'll nigh
bereft OF his senses The corporal had
come with n rush.
Arrest these mem" roared Nathan.
They've attacked mean officer on duty
-escorting a governorl Put that sentry
In the guard tent"
The sentry was only doing his duty.
cir. began the corporal. Those were his
vrders"--
Orders from that safe robbing scoun-
drei Of a militia colonel out yonder"-
Whack. That was Nathan's last hit for
many a day. The young man In civilian
dress darted In and landed a scientific
swing on the jaw that dropped the luck
less officer like log. Nathan lay for a
moment stunned, then looked up. dazed
and helpless, into the grave face OF
Eric Largdon.
Get your major home at once" the
colonel replied to the adjutant's hurried.
embarrassed explanation THE matter
shall be fully investigated. Who-struck
ycu?''
II did General Langdon." spoke up
the assailant with blood in his eye and
wrath on his tongue. Captain Martin. late
Second Coiumbias. sir. and I'm ready to
answer for IL TO him or TO any bo.ly--here
or anywhere. He lashed sentry In the
discharge of his duty. and II that isn't
enough, by heaven Well, you heard
what he said?' And the young captain
appealed 10 the crowd
That evening there was a never To- be
forgotten scene I'm front OF the colonel's
tent In the a. m af 81
hundred strong, officers and men. massed
IN solid phalanx. silent, barehe eaded, there
stood the two battalions. while their
spokesman, his voice trembling with emo
tion. strove to say to the loved and
honored commander that the heart of
the whole regiment went with the beauti-
ful sword they gave him I'm parting tri-
butte. Close to the colonel on one side
were grouped the governor, his staff and
state officers and on the other a large
party OF officers and ladies. Melville and
his household In their midst. Rodney
May. with one arm I'm n sling, had ten
dered the other. hardly knowing what he
oid, TO Ethel Grahame, who unaccount-
ably had taken H.
Hoverlng about the skirts OF the crows
an old darky, bowed and decreplt. was
whimpering with Joy. On the flanks OF
the battailons. as though by some spon-
taneous impulse. were gathered hundreds
o, other soldierly regulars from the bat
teries. volunteers still serving In the
neighboring camps. and all were hushed
and al were hanging on the words OF the
soldier spokesman as he told OF the
scenes OF battle across the VIDE surses
OF the ocean. OF the never failing care
OF the colonel for his men, OF his dar-
Ing leadership, of his almost fatheriy de-
votion 10 their wounded and stricken.
Vehemently the statesmen applauded
every telling point. and the soldiers toll
lowed suit. but presently the major came
TO speak OF the future. OF the severance
or the solder ties that bound them. OF
The love and trust and faith with which
their hearts would follow their soldier
leader. OF the pride and confidence with
which they hailed the honors stu in store
for him. and here the washoes broge
loose and ,roared applause and acclama.
ton. and then came the time TO cav fare
well. but here the.r orator brok. down
'speak for yourselves. boys" he choked
II can't say another word"
And the boys" breaking ranks bore
down on their comma nder IN a tumuitu-
ously cheering torrent. officers and men
Grasping his extended hands. uparham-