HE TOED THE LINE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 28, 11 July 1891, Page 164

HE TOED THE LINE.

Hugh McGuire, a son of the Emerald Isle, was placed up>on picket one night on the beach, with oiders to walk between two points, and to ailow no one to pass without the countersign, and that to be given in a whisper. About midnight the corp-oial with the relief discovered by moonlight Hugh up to his waist in water, the tide having set in since he was posted two hours before. ‘ Who goes there ?’ ‘ Relief.’ ‘ Halt, relief; advance, corpx>ral, and give the countersign.’ Corporal : ‘ I am not going in there to be drowned. Come out here and let me relieve you. Hugh : * Devil a bit I will ! The liftenant towld me not to lave me post.’ Corporal : ‘Well, then, I’ll leave you in the water all night,’ going away as he spoke. Hugh : ‘ Halt 1 I'll put a hole in ye if ye pass without the countersign '. Them's me orders from the liftenant,’ cocking and levelling his gun. Corporal: ‘Confound you! Everybody will hear it if I bawl it out to vou !’

Hugh : ‘Yes, me darlint ; and the liftenant said it must be given in a whisp>er. In wid ye ! Me finger’s on the trigger, and me gun may go off.' The corporal had to yield, and wade in to the faithful sentinel, who exclaimed :

‘ Be jabers '. it’s well ye're come ; the eoulterin tide has almost drowned me !'

Veteran of the Wars : ‘ Want some medicine.’ ‘ What kind of medicine ?’ ‘ Oh, some kind of vermifuge, I suppose.’ ‘ Where does the seat of difficulty seem to be.’ ‘ln my wooden leg, mister. It's getting all worm eaten.