The Glenwood post., 1909-04-03

three of us were huddled together In
the porch Of church, some distance
away from the scene OF the fracas.
Neatly DONE" remarked Overton
with a smile, to Giles. 81 should have
been in that brawny fellows clutches
now. but for the clip over the head you
gave him.
You did your share, SIR" politely
responded Giles.
But. time presses and our affairs
must be settled said Overton; here
is my card. 1t is too dark to read 1t,
but am Capt. Philip Overton. of the
Second Life Guards"
And L." replied Giles. "am Midship-
man Giles Vernon of the Ajax, ship
OF the line, now at Portsmouth"
By the dim light of lantern in
the church porch saw the expression
of astonishment upon Overton's face.
Then" he stammered, I'VE are re-
lated
Yes" replied Giles, smiling, land
If you pierce me through with sword
or pistol it will be worth one of the
finest estates in the kingdom to you,
provided always that old villain, Sir
Thomas Vernon, does not marry and
have children in spite of u.s."
Overton reflected, half laughing and
half frowning.
If only you had not passed a blow!
Anything else. there could be an ac
commodation for. 1t was most un.
fortunate"
Yes. as 1t turns out" responded
Giles; but the question is. now, when
and where can we meet?"
Just then the great bell of St
Paul's tolled out the half before mid
night and l, who had been an almost
unobserved listener, spoke out of the
fullness of my heart.
Giles said l. "the coach leaves at
l2. If we do not get to Portsmouth in
time, we are deserters. Let Capt.
overton write to you and fight after.
ward"
Out of the mouths of babes and
sucklings comes wisdom" replied
Overton. smiling; and SO in two min.
utes it was settled, Overton agreeing
to come to Portsmouth to fight II
Giles could not get leave to meet him
halfway between Portsmouth and
London. We then bade him good by,
and ran off as fast as our legs could
carry us. and barely made the coach
We travelled all night, Giles sleep
ing soundly and snoring very loud, in
one corner. | felt great uneasiness
about the coming meeting between
him and Overton, although l believed
there was no hostile feeling between
them. But when two men face each
other with arms in their hands, there
is always the possibility of awful
catastrophe.
The roseate morning broke when We
were still some distance from Ports
mouth. The sight of the blooming
hedge-rows, the bird-songs. and all the
fair beauty of the morning made me
long to be outside. and at the last
stage-my companion still sleeping
| got out, and with shilling to the
coachman, got the box seat. There
| were only two or three persons, be-
sides the guard, on the coach.
Once up there, | could not rest sat
isfied without handling the ribbons.
| had never even driven a donkey in
my life. but, nevertheless, l aspired to
drive four fresh roadsters. The coach.
man, goodnatured, foolish fellow.
gave me the reins, down perfectly
smooth lane. l seized the whip, too,
and brought 1t down across the wheel
ers' backs, and, the next thing | knew,
the coach was lying on its side on the
road, and l was on the ground.
1t was over in wink, and 1t seemed
scarcely longer before it had been
righted; for the load was extremely
light. and no one was hurt except
Giles. He scrambled out of the coach
window, his arm hanging down, not
broken. but out of joint. pointed
to it.
Your sword arm" | said.
There was nothing for 1t but to
make for Portsmouth as fast as DOS
sible. Giles was in extreme pain; he
said nothing, but great drops came out
upon his forehead. When we reached
the town, at once put off in search of
a surgeon, while Giles remained at the
inn. soon fetched the surgeon, who
got the arm into place. When the
man had finished. Giles asked when
he could use his arm for pistol shoot.
ing.
CTO BE CONTINUED)
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