The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-12-09

step toward him, his hands clinched,
and when he spoke his clear voice
shook with intense Indignation.
major Brennan" he said coldly de-
liberate, "you are my superior officer.
but you go beyond all privileges Of
rank in those words. say these men
are friends; they have sunk the issues
of war in order that they may answer
the call of humanity. If you dare I'm
peach my motives any further, shall
hurl back the cowardly insult in your
face. will take no such words, sir,
from any living man."
Brennan looked at him, his lips
struggling with the utterance that
would not come. Knowing we'll the
danger Of such delay, hastily pushed
aside the ring of men. and fronted
him, determined to end this foolish
ness then and there.
Major Brennan" said firmly, ig-
poring his efforts to silence me, you
must listen to reason whether you
wish to do so or not My troopers
are all around you; have two men to
your one in this house, and can en-
force my will II necessary. Now mark
what say-we are not here in anger
or In war, but to help you In the pro-
lection Of endangered women. We
captured your courier, have dispatched
one Of our own number into the Fed
eral camp for aid, and have fought
our way in here to stand beside you
and your men in defence of this
house against those ruf11ans without.
You can use us or not. Just as you
please; 1t rests with you to say wheth-
sr we shall be comrades in arms on
this occasion, or whether I shall as
sumo command by the power of foroe
which chance to control"
He seemed utterly unable to grasp
my full meaning, to comprehend the
situation.
"You mean, you would fight with
US? under my commando" he asked in
credulously.
Il offer my services under your Or
fers." I replied clearly, "and these
men in gray will obey mine"
actually thought he would extend
bis hand, but some remembrance sud-
denly restrained him.
"I-of course, Captain Wayne" he
Btammered, at agth, IL must ,
rspt your offer. IL am grateful for
1t, but shall insist upon one thing;
there must be a final settlement of the
+ orsonal matter existing between us.
am not willing to waive my rights
In this"
There is no occasion for your dong
30, sir" answered ooldly, for I con-
Bidered the reference at that moment
In extremely Ill taste. when our
work here has been accomplished, you
! will find me very much at your serv-
lce."
He bowed gravely.
Il am exceedingly glad we under
stand each other" he said. MAY 1
ask The size Of your commando"
Sergeant" I questioned, whom
have we lost?"
NELSON vos kilt, I drinks; der Kid
Is not here yet, und Sands vos wound
cd bad"
Very well; then, Major Brennan,
tender you sixteen men 1T for duty.
besides myself. You are doubtless
acquainted with the house, and can
assign us to positions where our serv-
Ices will prove of greatest value"
He had completely recovered his
self-control by this time, and spoke
now with tho terse sentences of q
tried soldier.
II thank you. Captain Wayne. and
will ask you to choose four men and
assume command Of the east side of
the house. Cation, you take the same
number for defense of the rear. Cap
tain, what is your sergeant's name7"
"Ebers. an experienced German sol.
der"
Il should have suspected his ma
tionality. Let him have command Of
four more, and cover the west win
dows. I shall defend the front myself,
as have been doing"
Very WELL" answered shortly, for
bis eyes had remained fixed upon me
all the time he was talking. "Tako
the positions assigned you, lads, and
do not permit man from without to
put foot on the veranda. II they once
succeed in getting undef cover of the
porch roof, they will give us plenty OF
trouble"
The position for defence assigned
to my care took me into the dining.
room OF the mansion-a spacious, al.
most square apartment, containing
three large windows reaching nearly
to the floor. The outside blinds had
been closed. but the glass in the panes
was mostly broken, and there were
other evidences that the firing had
been both heavy and continuous. I
found two soldiers of Brennan's party
within. both lying upon the floor. and
peering cautiously through the aper.
lures Of the blinds. They glanced up
at vs. with undissuised amazement.
TITS all right, lads" I said heartily.
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