The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-23

of the others to back their leader 8
initiative, caught every one of these
rude fighting men in the sudden ghip
of surprise. They hesitated
II am no fighting man." said Meri-
wether Lewis, turning to them, yet
neither may be insulted by any lout
who chooses to call me ashore to
thrash him. Do you think that an Off
Ger Of the army has no better bust
ness than that? Who are you that
would stop us?"
The group fell back muttering, lack
ing concerted action. What might
have occurred in case they had reach
ed their arms was prevented by the
action OF the party Of the first part In
This rencontre-of the second part, per-
1aps, he might better have been called
rhe fallen warrior sat up. rubbing his
throat. He struggled to his knees and
at length stood. There was something
of rude river chivalry about him, after
all.
IAN officer, did We say?' said he.
COB. wirra! What have l done now,
and me soldier! But We done 1t fart
And We nivver vance gouged me nor
jumped on me whin I was down! Be-
gorrah, l felt both me eyes to see If
they was In! Ye done it fair, and
ye're an officer and gintleman, who
ever ye be. I'd like to shake hands
with ye.''
II am not shaking hands with ruff
fans who insult travellers Captain
Lewis sternly rejoined. But he saw
the crestfallen look which swept over
the strong face of the other. There,
man." said he, ''since you seem to
mean WELL"
He shook hands with his opponent.
who, stung by the rebuke. now began
to snif1e.
"Sor,' said he, II am no ruffian. I
am q soldier meself and on me way
to join me company at Kaskasky, down
below Me time was out awhile back,
and came east to the States to have
a bit av a fling before enlisted again.
Now, what money haven't give to me
parents I've spint like man., have
had me fling for awhile, and I'm goin'
back to sign on again. Sor, 1 am a
sergeant, and good wan, though 1
do say it. Me record is clean. am
Patrick Gass, first sergeant of the
Tinth dragons, the same now sta
toned at Kaskasky. Though We are
not in uniform, know well enough We
are an officer. Sor, ask yer pardon.
Twas only the whisky made me feel
sportin' like at the time, do We mind?''
"Gass, Patrick Gass, you said?'
"Yis, sor, Of the Tinth. Barrin' me
love for fightin', am a good soldier.
There are stripes on me sleeves be
rights, but me old coats hangin' in the
barracks down below
Lewis stood looking curiously at the
man before him, the power Of whose
grip he had felt in his own. He cast
an eye over his erect figure, his easy
and natural dropping into the position
of the soldier.
sYou say the Tenth?' said he brief
ly. ''You have been with the colors?
Look here, my man, do you want to
server
IT am goin' right back to Kaskasky
for it, sor.'
"Why not enlist with us? I need
men. We are off for the, west, up the
Missouri, for long trip. like enough.
You seem a well built man, and you
have seen service. I know men when
see them. want men or courage
and good temper. Will you go?''
81 could not say, sor ] would have
to ask leave at Kaskasky. I gave me
word I'd come back after I'd had me
fling here in the east, We see."
"Pll take care Of that. l have full
to recruit among enlisted
men,
Excuse me, sor. Ye are sayin' ye
are goin' up the Missouri? Then l
know yez. YeZ are the Captain Lewis
that has been bui,din' the big boat the
last two months up at the yards-Cap-
tain Lewis. from Washington"
-