The Washington times., 1902-06-01

That is a brave man." came over the
room in the deep tones | had heard con-
versing hut now with Lieutenant Acton.
He speaks the truth
Why. you impudent scoundrel,' cried
the infuriated officer. do you know
whom YOU address,"
In my colony, when there comes a
prisoner and shows by his manner that
he has aught of Importance to say. he
is taken to the commanding officer.
Evidently the military discipline of Yer
plancks is of different sort"
Sergeant" reared the man. Ser
seant, Here. take this-this-' He fell
Take this-man away. and put MIN
under guard"
At that two men stepped forward. and
the unknown friend Of Acton said in a
cold voice that seemed to command i'm
mediate attention:
Captain. With your permission.
would speak a word concerning this
man."
And what business is it OF yours?''
demanded his superior. You will re-
tire. sir. at once,'
The slightest trace OF a frown spread
over the serious face, and the man
turned even a little whittier, while his
voice. calm as before. seemed to cut
the air in the room with its decisive
tone.
This is the case of the examina tion
of a prisoner taken at the picket line
He has the right of witness and counsel.
1 act as both with my friend, Lieutenant
Acton"
turned TO him in wonder; but he
fixed his cold eyes on the examining
officer and kept them there. Everyone
instinctively drew up by the desk. with
that silent, mysterious movement that
makes no sound. but means so much at
times-the movement that precedes
some coming event
Lieutenant Curtis, you will under
stand that you do not conduct this ex-
animation said the officer. try
ing to control himself. but with
his voice rising as he pro-
ceeded Il do, however; and, by God.
sir, I'll continue to do so. Do you retire
at once. or / will place you under ar
rest
''oaths have no place in an examina-
tion, sir. 'Tis. therefore. in bad taste
and in contradiction to martial Law"
Sergeant. arrest that mani" sounded
through the room. Everyone waited.
and at least the sergeant approached
Lieutenant Curtis and saluted him apol-
ogetically.
There was the space of an instant
when the air was charged with por-
tentcus possibilities, and then an or
derly entered and handed a note to the
dazed examiner. which he, after read
ing with a reddening face, threw down
on his desk: then. turning TO the ser
geant, he cried opt:
Take the prisoner TO headquarters!
And mark you, Mr.. Merton Balfort, II
you should turn out to be an officer of
any-any, mind ye-any army of the
earth, I'll have We out, sir. by God.
will,' And down came his fist, spilling
the sand from the box by his inkstand
and sounding through the room.
Something had happened. surely, for
was Herewith led away out through
camp. AS ] walked along between two
soldiers. there came to me the two men.
Acton and his friend, who. whether ac-
cording to the code of discipline or not
cannot tell, walked by my side.
The jovial Acton thanked me in his
own way for the little service chance
had enabled me TO do him, and presented
me to his friend, Robert Curtis. From
the time ] had heard the mans voice he
drew me to him, and now that I saw his
serious face, marked by the lines OF
some sorrow or care, i took more and
more to him.
These two men spoke to me each In his
own way as we walked across the camp.
And each in his own way gave me the
encouragement that two manly beings
can impart in unaffected ways. There
was little said, but / knew that here
were two men such as had not yet met
in my short life.
So we came 10 the country mansion
that Livingston used as his headquar-
ters. and / was ushered into the library,
or Office. where stood before the COM
mander of the Verplancks detachment
of Washington's thin line that ran from
Philadelphia. by way OF Morrlstown and
West Point, into New England. 1t was
a detachment ever ready for movement
OF Clinton's, ever watching; but to a
close observer, almost hopelessly spread
out. and by three-quarters less than
You have been insulting my officer.
sir. / see." said he. after questioning
me as to my station in life.
you are misinformed. SIR" l an
swered.
How so? ! am reading here
Amy of the witnesses Will tell you
the facts" and / repeated them.
He sat a moment, looking out OF the
window in some thought and then con-
tinued:
You fired on a picket. That is Sc
verely punishable in martial law
Il realize that fully, SIR" said. But
! was hurrying in the darkness, and
saw the muzzle OF gun suddenly thrust |
before me. Twas instructive to defend |
myself"
These letters. what are they?"
''As you see, sir. one TO me from
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