The San Francisco call., 1908-09-13

lows were with himi Dicky felt sure
that they would be happy all day long
in that heavenly garden. At night they
would quietly steal over the wall, run
down TO the water side and swim out
to vessel and be free.
This delightful anticipation was sud
denly dashed by the reflection that he
was in the precincts sacred to the Ia
dies of some great Tripolitan parsonage
and that If caught he would certainly
be killed by the guardians of the place.
Dicky stopped and grew pale. 1t was
one thing to die gloriously in battle
lighting for his country and another to
be bowstrung by couple of Tripolitans
and his body thrown to the dogs. The
full realization of his danger came upon
him, but did not rob him of that first
essential of an oficer-to be able to
think in an emergency. AS he had got
into the garden, he must get out of it
quickly as possible He turned and
ran swiftly toward the wall. AS he
reached it a brawny Tripolitan sudden
ly appeared. as if risen from the
ground, and catching Dicky in his arms
held h.ii powerless.
After the first involuntary struggle
Dicky became cool and composed. He
reckoned himself already condemned to
death. but made up his mind imme
diately to one thing-he would die as
became an officer.
tions upon him, dragged him toward
the great mass of stone buildings which
fronted upon the garden. Dicky. how
ever, walked quietly and made. no re-
sistance. When the entrance was
reached. which was guarded like fort
ress, another Tripolitan stood inside
and an animated conversation in Turk
ish, of which rDicky did not understand
"a word. took place between them. He
surmised, however, from their gestures
that they recognized he was boy. not
a man. and probably an Americana. He
was thrust into small dark room.
with the universal barred window and
stout door of the Tripolitan dwellings
of the best class. Left to himself.
Dicky's reflections were a chaos OF re-
over all was the one fixed determine
ton to die like man.
He thought it would have been COM
paratively easy if only Roger were with
him; there is something so comforting
so sustaining in comradeship. But
Roger was not there, and Dicky would
never see him again. or any Of the
other midshipmen; when they were all
assembled around the study table in
the morning with Mr.. Porter, stern and
vacant place where Dicky once sat; and
then in the evening. during their two
hours recreation, when the midship-
men danced and sang and wrestled and
played jokes on each other. Dicky
would not be there, and it would make
have no chum for while. AT that
thought the tears trickled down Dicky's
round face. He did not know how long
he had been locked up,fbut he he,supposed
by the shadows on the grass that it was
nearly o'clock.
His tears had ceased. and he made
a resolve not to yield to them again.
Then, expecting every moment TO be
summoned to execution, he determined
to carry out as much as possible his
character of an American officer and
gentleman. He tore off the Tripolitan
uniform, which he kicked into corner
Although he had no shirt, his jacket
buttoled up to the chin. and he looked
officerlike in spite of the shabbiness of
his worn uniform.
In little while the door was un-
locked. and the same TripoIitan who
had caught him in the act. Of escaping
appeared. The Tripolitan looked some
what surprised at the transformation
which had taken place. and Dicky. fold
ing his arms and eying him cooiIy, re-
sponded with a bow. when he was re-
quested by the Tripolitan. in very good
French, to follow him.
Dicky marched out in silence. He
supposed that he was to be put to
death Immediately. A strange com
posure had succeeded the tumult and
agitation of the last IL hours He re-
membered a quotation he had heard
from Captain Bainbridg dge-"Cowards die
many times before their death; the
valiant never taste of death but once"
Therefore would hes be valiant
After several winffirirs and tf1,rniurs