The Red Cloud chief., 1905-09-15

| t'liNt 'lalS INlSil was lll uCNN'i
able to support him. and a word to the
officer in command sent the gig flying
back tn the ship. Anstruther during Il
|momcntary delay made Il small request
on his W account. Lieutenant Play
don. nearly as big a nan as Robert,
dispatched n note to his servant, and
the gig speedily returned with Il COM
plcte assortment of clothing and linen.
The man also brought a dressing case,
with the result that a dip in the bath
| and ten minutes In the hands of nm ex-
| pert valet made Anstruther n new man.
Acting under his advice. the bodies
Of the dead were thrown Into the la
COON, the wounded We're collected in
the hut. to be attended to by the ships
surgeon, and the prisoners were parad-
cd in front of Mir Jan, who identified
every man and found by counting
heads that none was missing.
Robert did not forget to write out Il
formal notice and fastcn it to the rock.
This proceeding further mystified the
officers of the Orient, who had gradual
~ formed Il connected idea Of the great
fight made by the shipwreckcd pair,
though Anstruther squirmed inwardly
when lie thought of the manner i'll
which Iris would picture the scene.
As it was. he had the first innings, and
he did not fail to use the opportunity.
In the few tcrse words which the mill
tant Briton best understands he de-
scribed the girls fortitude, her unflag-
ging che~erfulness, her accomplishing
readiness. to do and dare.
When he ended, the first lieutenant,
who commanded the boats sent in pur-
suit of the flying Dyaks-the Orient
sank both sampans as soon as they
were launched-summed up the gener-
nj verdict:
"You do not need our admiration,
Captain Anstruther. Each man of us
envies you from the bottom of his
SOUL
There is an error about my rank"
he said. Il did once hold n commission
in the Indian army, but I was court
martialed and cashiered in Hongkong
six months ago. l was unjustly con-
victed on a grave charge, and / hope
some day to clear myself. Meanwhile
l am a mere civilian. 1t was only
Miss Deane's generous sympathy
which led her to mention my former
rank, Mr.. Playdon."
Had another of the Orient's twelve
FOUNDER shells suddenly burst In the
midst Of the group of officers 1t would
have created less dismay than this un-
expected avowal. Court martialed!
Cashiered! None but a service man
can grasp the awful significance Of
those words to the commissioned ranks
Of the army and navy.
Anstruther well knew what he was
doing. Somehow he found nothing hard
in the performance Of these penances
now. OF course the ugly truth must
be revealed the moment Lord Ventnor
heard his name. 1t was not fair to the
good fellows crOwding around him and
Offering every attention that the frank
hospitality Of the British sailor could
suggest to permit them to adopt the
tone Of friendly equality which rigid
discipline If nothing else would not al
low them to maintain.
The first lieutenant by reason of his
rank was compelled to say something.
"That Is a devilish bad job, Mr.. An.
struther," he blurted out.
well, you know l had to tell you"
He smiled unaffectedly ut the Won
dering circle. He, too, was an officer
and appreciated their sentiments. They
were u~nfeignedly sorry for him, n man
so brave and modest, such a splendid
type of the soldier and gentleman, yet
by their common law an outcast. Nor
could they wholly understand his de-
meanor. There was a noble dignity In
his candOr, a conscious innocence that
disdained to shield itself under a par
tial truth.
The first lieutenant again phrased
the thoughts Of his juniors.
81 and every other man in the ship
cannot help but sympathize with you.
But whatever may be your record-if
you were an escaped convict, Mr.. An
~struther-no one could withhold from
you the praise deserved for your mag
niicent stand against overwhelming
odds. Our duty Is plain. We will hiring
you to Singapore, where the others will
no doubt wish 70 go Immediately. I
will tell the captain what you have been
good enough to %acquaint us with. Mean.
while we will give you every assistance
and-er-attention In our power"
A murmur Of appreciation ran
through the little circle. Roberts face
paled somewhat. What first rate chaps
they were, to be sure!