Middletown transcript., 1912-01-20
CHAPTER Xxx.
unIon Of Yank and Rer.

A Union Of Yank and Ken.
AS the heavy door changed behin'
us some one upon the outside begal
pounding upon 1t, while with deadl'
chug a bullet crashed into the oakel
panel.
"Donnerwetter" shouted a deel
voice, wildly. Captain, am yet ou
NIT der bullets"
With a crash 1 flung aside the thicl
iron bar which answered as a lock
and drew in the Sergeant, yet pantini
heavily from his hard run.
by Chiminy, dot vas a marrow
squeak" he exclaimed, as I released
my grasp upon him and hurled thu
door back into its place.
A dim light swinging suspended
from the ceiling of the great wide hal
revealed clearly the scene within. Al
turned beheld Brennan for the frs
time, and his face remains pemory
Standing with his T"~'' y ~fe stair
railing, a revolver 6 eighty II
either hand, his eyes hing, hii
countenance flushed wi, Snger, ant
clouded by doubt, he appeared almost
like one distracted. At sight of me
he gave up all attempt to control his
raging temper.
What does all this mean?" he de
manded hoarsely. who are these
men? Cation, if you have betrayed
us, by God, I will shoot you dead"
There is no betrayal" returned the
Lieutenant, coolly. These men are
friends"
'Friends?" he laughed cynically,
Friends? in that uniform, and you
attired in Rebel cavalry jacket?
Friends? that fellow over there?" and
he pointed derisiTely at me with his
pistol barrel. Damn you, but I be-
lieVe you are all a pack of lying
thieves!"
= Caton's face burned. He took one
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. 1 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 cowardIy insult in your
face. l 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-
noring his efforts to silence me, you
must listen to reason whether yeu
wish to do 50 or not. Ny troopers
are all around you; l 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 ysur courier, have dispatched
one Of our own number iAto the Fed
eral camp for aid, and have fought
our way in here 10 stand beside you
and your men in defence Of this
house against those rufnaRs without.
You can use US or not, just as you
please; 1t rests with you to say wheth-
or we shall be comrades in arms on
this occasion, or whether l shall as
sumo command by the power of force
which I 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.
,redulously.
I offer my services under your or
iers," I replied clearly, "and these
men in gray will obey mine"
actually thought he would extend
his hand, but some remembrance sud
ienly restrained him.
I-of course, Captain Wayne" he
hammered, at length, IL must ac-
'eRt your offer. II am grateful for
t. but I shall insist upon one thing;
here must be final settlement of the
PERSONAL matter existing between US.
am not willing to waive my rights
n this"
There is no occasion for your doing
0, sir" answered coldly, for con-
idered the reference at that moment
q extremely Ill taste. when our
York here has been accomplished, you
I'll find me very much at your serv-
,e."
Hs bowed graveYy.
7 am exceedingly glad we under
tand each other" he said. May I
SIX the size of your command?"
Sergeant" questioned, whom
ave We Iost?"
Nelson Yos kilt, l dinks; der Kid
not here yet, und Sands Yos wound
4 bad"
Very well; then, Major Brennan, 1
snder you sixteen men fit for duty,
esides myself. You are doubtless
cquainted with the house, and can
ssign as to positions where our serv-
.es will prove Of greatest value"
He had completely recovered his
by this time, and spoke
oW with the terse sentences OF O
led soldier.
l'T thank you, Captain Wayne, and
I'll ask you to choose four men and
5sume command of the east side of !
le house. Cation, You take the same 1
nmber for defense Of the rear. Cap
in, what is your sergeant's manner" 6
eEbers, an experienced German sol t
er@ {
Z should have suspected his ma
onality. Let him have command Of g
Iur more, and cover the west win +
9ws. I shall defend the front myself, 4
J / have been doing"
Very we'll" answered shortly, for a
s eyes had remained fixed upon me b
the time he was talking. Take
Q positions assigned you, lads, and i
} not permit a man from without to t
It foot on the veranda. If they once d
cceed in getting under cover of the
'rch roof, they win give US plenty Of
ouble."
Tho Taoff41r eo- 5aRn-a, .-.ss ! =,