El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-07-13
The Herald's Daily
Short Story
THE LINEA AFFAIR

not yet-not till 1 have called him
to account 1 Will make him pay Tor
this" His eyes blazed as he ragged up
and down, tearing at and smashing
everything he came across
\ sUllen, sOmber dependency sue
ceeded to this wild paroXysm OF rage
but gave way quickly TO the lmpera-
tive desire for action
He entered the officers mess, where
he found a bridge party in progress,
and one or two men round the players
lOunSilS over their ciSarets, and laZlly
gcssiping upon things in general
Gentlemen" said LEstranSe, 81
lCnce, please, and give me your most
earnest attention, asking no questions
Eut b. prepared to carry out the orders
1 now give you implicitly and immedi-
ately. We have been selected for
most momentous and hazardous under
taking. My instructions are to parade
my detachment and proceed at once
To seize the Spanish lines"
half cheer, instantly checked,
broke out from the assembled officers,
only two OF whom were captains. the
rest being subalterns of at the most
two or three years standing.
Hush, please, hush, Silence and Sc
Crecy must be observed, and with them
the utmost dispatch. You, Capt Maui
eVcrer, my second in command, will
take the advance guard by the straight
Capt NySe, follow the sands on the
western beach; send on a small party
Under SerSt. Atkinson have chosen
him for it-tell him to OYerpoWer the
Spanish sentries one by one, from left
to right; then take ground to your
right, and join hands with MauleVerer.
L shall be there in person So soon as
we are concentrated, l shall leave you
to secure your passage against all OBJ
stacles by main force. Y GU, Mr.. Smiley,
with the three companies will be in
reserve, and viii conform to our move
ments as / may direct.
The officers trOODeQ out of the mess
room laughing and joking with each
ether, looking like school boys, Lent
for the playing fields. joke or sober
earnestness. it was all one to them
rs he mad?' whispered Mauleverer
to Vyse.
AS a halter. firmly believe" re-
We can't let this go on. 1t means
war simply, war on a friendly power
battle, murder. sudden death"
Cad, I don't know why We should
interfere. He may have his orders
Then I shall insist upon his showing
them; and if he does not or cannot, I'm
next senior officer, and 1 shall take
upon myself to remove him from the
command l RECALL upon you, Capt Nyse.
to support me-"
That's rank mutiny. by Jove, You'd
be riSking 4 court martial"
Better than wOrhe. l would not give
much for our commissions tomorrow if
we let this old lunatic loose on SPAIN
Meanwhile a dull sound of Shuffling
feet and low murmur of voices had
arisen among the huts, the precursor
of the fall in the gathering of many
men together. The parade was soon
formed; the officers silently inspected
the ranks, the pouches in particular,
passing. their hands over the rounds Of
ammunition.
The ranks were closed, the COM
Panies stood in quarter column, and
Maj L Estrange took supreme COM
nland- He proceeded at once to ad-
no in farr h--io Dc
and was explaining the nature of the
service in which they were to be en-
gagged, when Capt. MauleYerer, who
was at the head of the leading COM
pany, stepped forward, saluted, and
said in 4 loud voice:
In the name of all present, sir, on
behalf of the other officers. and in the
best interests of the men, 1 protest
against this parade"
Fall in, sir, How dare you leave the
ranks in this insubOrdinate manner?
faI IN, sir, repeat, or L will place
you under arrest. and put a sentry over
you. 1 command here. 1 am answerable
to my superiOrs. The orders 1 give
must and shall be Obeyed.
Men Of the Royal Picts, we have
been selected to act as advance party
in an operation with which Europe will
ring tomorrow. And you will help me
to wipe out great personal outrage
and affront. Today my wife
A murmur rank through the ranks,
respectful sympathetic. but altogether
improper and uusOldierly. The major
held up his hands, and angrily enjoined
silence; but he could not still the
voices, and he grew more and more ex-
cited and incoherent at the defiance of
his authority. He raised his voice
louder and louder; the words flowed in
a torrent from his lips, he foamed at
the mouth. made violent gestures, acted
like one pOsSessed-as indeed he was.
Poor 'LOOney'' LStrange, at last en-
titled to something more than a mere
sobriquet, had gone stark, staring
mad.
Capt MauIcverer advanced, and
reckoning to Capt. Vyse, they led the
poor, broken and suffering man quietly
away to his quarters.
Thus ended happily the affair OF
international offence that might have
had the most serious diplomatic re-
suits.