The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-03-11
CHAPTER v.

lOIlONcu llle CdHlp anu IOOk lily
place in the ranks at Ogdensburg. We
went Immediately to the barracks-a
structure long and low and weather.
stained, overlooking the St. Lawrence.
There was a fine level field in front Of
1t, and a flag waving at the top of a
high staff. The men cheered Justify
that afternoon as they passed it. where
stood Gen. Jacob Brown, his cooked hat
in his hand-a splendid figure of q
man. My delight in the life of SOL
der began that hour, and has never
left me.
There was lot of horse-play that
night, in which some of the green boys
were roughly handled. They told me,
I remember, that all new recruits had
to fight duel; but when they gave me
the choice of weapons was well con-
tent. had the sure eye of my father,
and the last time had fenced with
him, there at home, he said my arm
was stronger and quicker than his had
ever been. Indeed, I was no sooner
tall enough to swing sword than he
began teaching me how to use it. In
the wood back Of the barracks that
night, they learned was not a man
d be fooled with. The tall sergeant
who stood before me saw his sword
60 flying in the gloom the second
thrust he made at me, and ran for his
life, amid roars of laughter. l had no
lack of friends after that day.
1t was year Of surprises in the
northern army, and D'ri was the
greatest of all. That long, wiry, sober
faced Yankee conquered the smartness
of the new camp in one decisive and
immortal victory. At first they were
disposed to poke fun at him.
Looks little tired" said the SER
geant of the guard.
"Needs rest-that's what 8 matter
O. him." said the captain.
"Orter be turned out t. grass leetle
WHILE" the adjutant suggested.
The compliments he failed to hear
soon came to him indirectly, and he
had much to pat up with. He kept his
temper and smoked thoughtfully, and
took it all in good part The night
after he came they put him on guard
duty-a grecnhorn, with no knowledge
of any orders but gee and haw. They
told him he should allow nobody to
pass him while on duty, but omitted
to mention the countersign. They in
structed him in the serious nature Of
his task, adding that his failure to
comply with orders would incur the
penalty Of death. D'ri looked very
sober as he listened. No man ever felt
keener sense of responsibility. They
intended, l think, to cross the lines and
take his gun away and have fun with
him, but the countersign would have
interfered with their plans.
D'ri went to his post little after
shutdown. The guard was posted. The
sergeant. with his party of six, started
back to the guard-house, but they
never got theres They went as far as
D'ri. He stood with his gun raised.
Come another STEP" said he, "an'
I'll let the moonlight through ye."
They knew he meant it, and they
stood still.
Come for'ard-one ct time," said
D'ri Drop yer guns m set down. Ye
look tired"
They did as he commanded, for they
could see he meant business, and they
knew he had the right to kill
Another man came along shortly.
"Halt! Who comes there?" D'ri de-
manded.
Friend with the countersign," he
replied.
Cant fool me-" said D'ri. Come up
here m set down m mex yerself t.
hum. Drop yer gun fust. Drop it, er
II drop you"
He dropped his gun promptly and
accepted the invitation to sit down.
This last man had some arguments to
offer, but Dri stood sternly and made
no reply.
At II o'clock Capt Hawkins sent out
inquiries for the sergeant of the guard
and his relief. He could find nobody
who had seen them since dark. A cor
poral was also missing. The captain
sent man to look for them. He got
as far as D'ri and sat down. They
waited for him in vain. The captain
stood looking into the darkness and
wandering about his mon uo con.