The San Francisco call., 1903-12-13

In any crisis less tremendous I should
have roared a-laughing to see the dough-
ty major and my good friend the lieu
tenant vie with each other in their skip
pings to escape the unseen enemy. But
1T was no laughing moment for me. At
a fash my sword was out and 1 was
hacking hther and yon at the imagin-
ary foe. In the hurly-burly 1 contrived
to sprawl all across the work bench
table. and the packet which would have
killed my plot-and, belil1e. the plotter
as well-was reared and quickly jagged
into hiding.
"Damme! see now what you've done;
you've split my breech-charger all about
the place" rasped the major, when all
was over. And then: who the devil are
ye, anyway: and what do ye want WI
me?'
I clicked my heels, saluted. and gave
him the express from my lord-the right
one. this time. He tore off the wrapping.
swore a hearty soldier oath when he read
the fore part of the letter and clapped
his leg joyfully like the brave gentleman
that he was. when he came to the post
criptum.
''Ye're a fine fellow, captain: we've
brought me good news" he said: then
he bade an aide call Captain de Peyster.
his second in command. and in the same
ensign for our billeting. for the night.
You will conceive that 1 was overjoyed
at this seemingly safe and easy planting
of the Detard which was to blow my
Lord CORVALLIS plans into the air; and
in anticipation l saw the tide-turning
battle and heard the huzzas of the noun
tain victors But tbs a good old saw that
cautions against hallooing before you are
out of the wood Captain de Peyster
was come and Tybee and 1 were taking
our leave of the major, when there was
a sudden commOtion among the guaroS
without, and little man in black, his
wig awry and his clothing torn by the
rough man-handling OF the SehITies' OuIs1
into the tent.
seize him! Seize himi He is a rebel
spy!' ne shrieked. pointing at me-
AS you would guess. all talk paused at
this dramatic interruption. and all eyes
were turned upon me. Had the little
viper been content to rest his charge up
on the simple accusation, 1 know not
what might have happened But when
he got his breath he burst out in TRADE
of the foulest abuse, cursing me up one
side and down the other. and enoing IN
a gibbering fit of rage that left him pal
lid and foaming at the lips-and gave me
my cue.
'"Tis the little mailman OF Queens
borough I said, coolly, explaining TO
the bluff major His mania takes the
form OF curious 4dIEeU AlAc,
7 know not why Two days since, he was
nut In arrest by my lords authority for
threatening my life and that or his mas
ter,s daughter. Now it would seem, he
has broken jail and followed me hither-
"a lunatic, Ell? He looks 1T. every
inch said the major; and the black
guard lawyer, hearing my counter ac-
cusation, was doing his best to give IL a
savor of likelihood by fighting frantically
with the two soldiers who had followed
him into the tent.
a.Out WI him." commanded the major.
"We've no time to foolish away WI a
.Bedlanaite. Take him away and peg him
out. and gil him a dash O. water to cool
his head
Pengarvin fought like a fury.
and his venomous rage defeated
all his attempts to say calmly the
words which might have got him hear
ing. So he was hailed away, splitting and
struggling like a trapped wildcat, and
when we were rid of him the major bade
US goodnight again.
Tybee held his peace like good fellow
till we had rolled us in our blankets be-
fore one Of the camp fires. But just as