The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-02-10

GU tItf luIltu ine lOOSe anu
started up Front street. pretty badly
discouraged. had just missed my,
best chance for gaining freedom.
And | knew that / must run the
gantlet of several more sentries before
! reached the Misunderstanding. the next
point from which It might be possible
to get n boat.
The rattle OF a sword sounded ahead
of me. 1t was the officer OF the day
making his rounds. So he was to be
added TO my other troubles.
would impersonate member Of
the guard.
] had done watches over that post
and thought remembered all the or
ders would make 2 BLUM at 1t any
way.
walked boldly out in the street
and toward the approaching footsteps.
When about thirty PAGES distant, I
stopped. "Haltl Who's there7" 1
challenged.
"Oficer OF the day."
Advance, officer of the day. with
the countersign."
lie advanced.
Halt Counterslgn" 7 challenged
again, when he had arrived within
ten PAGES.
Custer" he said.
Finally he turned away, and I sa-
luted and started on, taking of my
Imitation belt as soon ms l got out
OF sight.
walked boldly enough now. I was
halted by several sentrles, but gave
them the countersign and was allowed
TO pass.
However, while I was nearing the
launch-landlng, big white light COM
Ing up the stream suddenly gave me
an inspiration.
IL was the Sehome, from San Fran
cisco, and from the curve she was
making she evidently intended running
alongside the sea-wall In order to land
consignment of stores on the island.
The corporal of the guard, who had
come down from the guard-house,
stood near, lantern in hand, checking
or the freight as It arrived.
i watched my opportunity. At mo-
ment of some little confusion | slipped
from my hiding place TO point near
the cases of goods, and then started
boldly up the gangway. hoping to be
mistaken In the darkness for one of
the workmen.
But my little plan didn't work.
Something, or some one attracted the
attention Of the corporal of the guard
TO me. He let n whoop out OF him
like Comanche.
Haiti Hey. there. youi Stopl"
] was already halfway up the gang
wa:'. i didn't stop. How could I?
| just couldn't afford to be caught
now.
general court martial was the
least l could expect
/ leaped up the gangway into the
after compartment of the ship. and
up another gangway to the upper deck.
The corporal Of the guard was right
at my heels.
rushed to the portrait. leaped over
IT, and landed again on the sea-wall.
| with crash that well-nigh broke my
legs.
l scurrled of In the darkness.
AS l passed In rear or lie guard
house | saw lights flash - Inc relief
rooms, and heard the exctc, hum of
voices as the guard gralbrI their
rifles and belts. In thirty seconds
would have half hundred men hunt
ing me like n rabbit.
A light loomed up ahead of me. II
was the light of my orderly box.
/ rushed up 10 IT, jerked open the
door and sprang inside. just then
the telephone rang. / took up the re-
/ ceiver.
Halo, orderly. This is wireless.
Where've you been? Been trying to
get you for fifteen minutes. All right.
Take this message" II was as fol-
lows:
Commanding onicer. Marine Barracks,
Mare Island. via Commandant. Navy
Yard:
Error in preceding message. The. Pri-
yate. Fred H. Mcdonald, in question, now
at Brooklyn Navy Yard. Disregard letter.
tsIgned). Bliss.
commRndant Marine Corps.
had just started to copy this mes
sage In the smooth log when the SER
geant Of the guard stuck his head in
at the door.
."Say. orderly" he said. haven't
heard any one pass here. have you?
On the run? mol Funny. lie must
have come this way. Where could he
have gomez"
About half an hour afterward my
relief came and my mld-watch was
ovtr.
But had some trouble next morn
Ing In explaining how I'd got so bad
,ly battered up over night.
a Child Entitled to Opinions.