Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-27
The Argus Daily Story
Veteran of the Light Brigade-By F. A. Mitchell
Copyrighted. 1911 Associated Literary Bureau

During that day one Of the ofncers
brought up to him a citizen whom he
introduced, expatiating on the ex-ser-
geant's experience in the Crimea. The
man looked at him closely, made some
commonplace remarks and withdrew.
From that time Larkins began to real
lie that he was under surveillance.
He had been furnished with a tent.
which he occupied alone, and during
the night was awakened by men talk
ing outside. Curious to know what
was going on, he got of his cot and
looked out Several privates were sit
ting on the ground close by his tent,
smoking. He was surely under guard.
What could 1t mean?
He lay awake the greater part Of the
night wondering what object the gen
eral could possibly have in treating
him, a British subject, as a guest. but
really depriving him of his liberty.
The next morning when he awoke
the men had gone. An officer came in
and told him that breakfast would
be sent In to him. During the day he
noticed that this same officer never
| lost sight of him. To kill time he
thought he would SO and call on Miss
Fletcher.
where are you goingT' asked his
shadower.
I'm going to pay a visit at the
| Fletchers'. I expect to be going as
| soon as the general will send me
through, and I think I'll say goodby 10
them"
you won't find the Fletchers at
home today"
This was said in a half commanding
tone, as If meaning, stay where you
are" Larkins said nothing, but turned
and retraced his steps.
He was sitting in a camp chair that
afternoon near General Beaumont's
tent when an officer rode up, threw
himself from his horse and went in to
see the general. There being nothing
but canvas to intercept the sound,
! Larkins could hear q part Of what
was said. After some talk that he
could not make out:
Hes the man." the inferior officer
said
Are you sureT' asked the general.
eyes, general; the same fellow, play
ing a different game"
when will he be herer
"Within an hour
every well. Wen be ready for
him"
This was Greek to Larkins, but the
treatment he had received and the
fact Of his being under surveillance,
taken with the words playing the
same game" made him uneasy. AS
soon as the officer had left the general
Larkins went into his tent and said:
"See here, general, I wish to go
through the lines at once. If I am
purposely detained l desire to know
the cause"
} "Pll send you through tomorrow
morning" said the general, speaking
In tone to indicate that he meant to
do what he said.
Am detained in your camp"
} mo Go where you like"
every well, I'll wait till tomorrow.
II I am detained longer 1 shall tele-
graph the British consul at Richmond
to come out here at once"
: you'll not be detained-that is, I'M
less a battle opens"
The next morning at daylight Lar
kins was awakened by General Beau
mont's orderly, who said that the gen.
eral would like to see him In his tent.
Still uneasy, he arose and went to the
general. An officer was there waiting.
This is Major Clayton, Mr. Larkins.
II you will go with him he will show
you something to explain our recep-
ton and treatment of you since you
} have been with us. On your return
, will be pleased to have you breakfast
/ with me, and a flag of truce is order
ed for 10 o'clock to escort you through
; the lines"
, Larkins went with Major Clayton,
, walking down the road TIL they came
i to a clearing. A file of soldiers were
r standing, resting on their arms. See
! ing the major approach, an officer
{ went to a tent surrounded by a guard.
led forth a man pale as death in citi-
2 zens dress and placed him before the
; soldiers.
E He looked enough like Larkins to be
4 his brother.
The Britisher knew at once that a
: spy was to be executed. Turning, he
e walked back to the generals headquar-
e tiers.
b Permit me to offer my apologies"
: said the latter. 1.-The man you saw
!, taken out for execution is a northern
:. man who was spying on US under COW
e er OF forged papers Of British citizen
i ship This coincidence and the fact
r that he resembles you caused US to be-
n lieve we had got one we have been
d looking for. Our catching him is a
t blessing to you, for we had about made
:, up our minds to try you by drumhead
n court martial and shoot you"
e Earkius now saw through all that
l. had occurred The most notifying
l. circumstance was his realization that
d the southern beauty had been set upon
a him to endeayor to tempt him to be-
+ tray himself as a spy II he really was
one Satisfied with his experience. he
Y returned TO England without service
l. IN either the Federal or Confederate
l. army.