Copyright Story. CAPTURED.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue II, 9 July 1904, Page 54

Copyright Story. CAPTURED.

By

ROBERT BARR.

Reginald Fitzgerald was not an ofiicer and a gentleman, nor the heir to u title, W". might have been surmised from his name, but was merely an ordinary every day soldier. Mounted Infantry at that, from the eastern end of London, sent out to assist in teaching Kruger the lesson ho was so long in learning, this particular member of the M.l. was known lb his friends as Reggie, and his seat uii a horse was a little more stable than that of many of his comrades, because Reggie was stable-man at a pub on the Romford road at the time the war broke out. His knowledge of warfare amt tactics had all come to him since that time, and although South Africa seemed io him a bit larger Ilian the county of Essex, he was getting along reasonably well on the veldt, thanks to his youth, which was 24. and his strength, which seemed impervious to privation, and his common-sense, which had on several occasions got him into trouble with his officers. lie had ventured opinions which turned out to be accurate. and of course a self-respecting ollieer could not be expected to stand that sort of thing; he called it cheek, and Reggie sull'ered, so he came to know al last that silence was golden. No matter what idiotic instructions he received, he know enough to hold bis tongue, therefore it will be understood that ho was rapidly learning the soldiering trade. As the best rider in the troop, he was frequently entrusted with the carrying of despatches, and he was exceedingly successful in this work, thanks to much experience as a night poacher in the old country, lie hail had some narrow escapes, and was slightly wounded twice, but Reggie always took care of his horse, and the horse in return galloped Reggie cut of many a tight corner. This is an account of an occasion when fhe young man felt it most difficult to keep from tendering advice Io the ollieer whose sole privilege it was to ileal out instructions to Reggie. Reggie stood rigid, received the despatches, with counsel to conceal them until they were -afefy handed for scrutiny to t oionel 1 'inch-Ratters at Spoof-fontein. This was all right, if Fitzgerald had been allowed his own bead. But the little ollieer was definite as a piece of red tape. "A oil will go direct from here to Spoof-fontein, past the base of Piety Kop on the north. See that you follow orders, my man." Fitzgerald saluted and withdrew, and thus the goddess of silence triumphed. He went to his tent and sewed his despatches in the lining of his tunic. Then he made for his horse, singing gently as be marched—Oh fare you well, my own —a Alary Ann. Oh fare yon well for a while, lor I'm going away and I’m going for to stay. Diddle im p diddle limp ilum dan. "Hello. Diddle limp, what's the matter " cried a comrade. '■’Alt. Billy, I'm done for ‘Private litz, Al.I. 7;140t>, captured.' That w hill's they'll see in the papers at home. Ye'll go to Spoof-fontein direct, says the little ofiicer. Direct, by the foot of Piety Kop. I’ve ns much chance of getting through that way as yon have of being offered Kitchener's place to morrow." -After all." said Billy, "they can't bold you when they do catch you. 11'.-y're taking no prisoners now.” "No, but they’re stripping them stark. They’ll give me a ntealie slick to come back in. 1 -iy. Billy , tell the l.tdri that when they see me approach Hie <:imp in dressing gown and slippers, they're not to shoot simply becatlsfhev never s.d eyes on so terrible an object U-fore." "We'll look out for you, Reggie, and have a drink ready." "Do." said Reggie. “Surely the little ofiicer man knows

(Author of "The Mutable Many," etc.)

you've lift chance of getting past Piety kop? Perhaps you’re carrying information for the benefit of the enemy,” remarked Billy. •No fear,’’ asserted Reggie, “’lie hasn’t sense enough for that.” Which showed how easy it. is for a big man to under-estimate a little one. Reggie got on his horse and speedily disappeared across the veldt. It was rough going, a broken country of hill and valley, with Piety Kop a very efficient landmark on ahead. Ritzy rode as easily as ho could, singing his farewell ditty to Mary Ann, which was the only tunc he know, lie was quite contented, for he was well aware that there was not the slightest chance of getting through, and when halted, he had made up his mind neither to run or to fight. There was not the slightest use in doing either. so why do either? said Reggie to himself. The Boers were hovering round the foot of Piety Kop, hoping to allure the British to attack it. The British hail displayed great desire to possess themselves of various kops in the. early part of the war, and the shrewd Boers were not shrewd enough to realise that this desire had abated. The commander in Fitz's eamp wotdd not have accepted Piety Kop as a gift. Therefore lie wished the information to reach the Boers that he intended to attack Piety Kop within two days, so Reggie was riding across the veldt with bogus despatches, intended for capture. lie rode with more caution as he. went down a valley, ami noticed a small farmhouse, with, a collection of sheds which looked suspiciously deserted- It was on his route, and he dared not vary that route, but he rode by. expecting a shot from this ambuscade, almost wishing it would, be quick about it, and cud this harrowing suspense. When he got past the hut he still viewed it with distrust, gazing over his shoulder, and thus rode unseeing into the very trap he was trying to avoid. ‘’Throw up your hands, Tommy !” came io him in excellent English. Fitz’s hands went above his head automat i« ally and speedily. “I knew that sanguinary ass would have me nipped, sending me on this fool’s errand,” muttered the soldier, as he turned towards bis captor. Then —“Oh, I say,” cried Reggie, when he looked down on the prettiest girl he had ever beheld, pointing a rille held with unwavering rigidity at the voting man’s heart, which had always been susceptible when femininity presented arms to it. It was bad enough to lie captured, but to be taken thus by a young woman, who could not be more than 19, was adding insult to in‘•Get off your horse. Tommy, and see the I you don't lower y our hands while doing so." “My name’ noi Tommy. Alary Ann.” “I beg your pardon. Mary Ann." laughed Hie girl. “Get down, Mary Ann. T suspected you had such names in the British army, but none of you ever admitted it before. I thought your Mary Anin were all generals." “Vou think you’re clever, don't you?” “I know I am. Where are you going?” “Going to get down,” said Reggie. flinging a leg over the horse and jumping to the ground, keeping liis arms aloft all the while, for something in the girl’s attitude an! jet black eyes told him she would not hesitate to shoot. She laughed again, very charmingly Reggie thoughl, while be hoped his comrades would mver hear of this episode. She stepped back a few paces, and placing lier rifle at her shoulder covered him. “Now. Tommy." she cried, “be very careful. Throw to the ground whatever weapons you carry. Don't try any tricks, for I will have you shot before you could get your revolver into position. Do be careful, for 1 don't wish to hurt you.” Fitz threw a revolver and a knife on the ground. “Is that all you have?" “Yes," growled Reggie, sulkily.

“Now, take ten sfeps away from them.” The soldier obeyed. ‘‘That's right, you may sit down and rest your arms,"’ laughed the girl, with a succeeding sigh of relief. She also sat down on a roek that lifted itself out of the veldt, sitting there with the rille across her knees, and Reggie’s revolver and knife at her feet. "Did you get lost?” she asked. ‘‘No, I’ve just been found by you.” “Carrying dispatches, I suppose?” “Very likely.” “Where are they. Tommy?” “Well. Mary Ann, if you want to know—they're sewed up in my tunic, and I’m sure you’re welcome io them. 1 knew I’d never get past Piety Nop.” “My name’s Gretchen,” she said. “Mine's Reginald.” “I don’t believe it. Tommy.” “Then I don't, believe in Ctretchen, Mary Ann. Where did vou get your English?” “I got him with this rifle. Tommy.” and she laughed provokingly as she patted the weanon referred to. Reggie, who was the best natured fellow in tl world, and who by this time had partially recovered from chagrin at his ignominious capture, now smiled and began to appreciate how handsome she was. “Well. I'm not the first,” he said. “The first what?” “The first man to be taken in and done for by a good-looking girl.” "Oh. I've not done for you, and won't unless you try to escape.” “If 1 don't escape. I’m dime for sure. I'm more afraid of your eyes than your rifle.” "You were more afraid of my rifle a minute ago.” “Yes. because I did not get a good look at your eyes then. The rifle was between me and them. Now I realise my danger.” She made no answer to ibis, but rose to her feet, and looked somewhat anxiously down the valley, “1 say, Gretchen, why don't you people chuck it ?” “Chuck what?”, “This blooming war.” “Because it is right we should win, and we shall win.”

‘•You don't really believe that?” “Yes, I do.” “Have you ever been in England?” “Xu, and I never wish t<» see it, either. I learned the language I’m speaking in t ape Town. 1 saw enough of the English there.” “And you don't like them?” “No.” “Well, I’m' sorry for that. Some of ’em I don’t like myself. Our officers, for instance. Hut what I was going to say. was this: I come from the east end of London. Now if you walked from where I lived to where my officer lived, you would travel as far as 1 came from camp riding till now I’m hungry, and houses, houses all the way. There’s ten times more people in London than there are from here to Cape Town. When I left England the war had been going on a year or two. Well, strike me dumb, you couldn’t tell from the crowds that one man had left London. You can’t beat us. We’re too many. Even if they’re ail as big fools as I am, or as our little officer is, and South Africa was all as clever as you. you couldn’t beat us. you’re too few. Then chuck it, and let’s be friends.” “We will, when you catch De Wet,” said the girl, gazing at him with undeniable interest. He had spoken earnestly and his face had lit up in a very- attractive way, the girl thought. The moment she mentioned De Wet a new intensity came into his countenance. “That’s true. I’d forgotten the General. Yes, the war will go on till wa catch him. and we will some of these line days.” “You never will.” “Gretchen. I wish you’d tell me where he is. I’d like to have a talk with him.” “Much good that would do you. He has been in your camp, and has ridden with your Colonial troops, and you never suspected his presence. Now here is my father coming, and this enter-, taining conversation must cease.” There eame to her smooth brow a shade of disappointment, and she grasped her rille somewhat more alertly. A bearded man on a galloping pony dashed up to them. The girl addressed him in Dutch. He showed no surprise at

his daughter’s capture, and ordered the prisoner eurtly to walk on ahead. Some distance down the valley they came upon an extensive farm, in the yard of which a number of horsemen stood. Fitz surmised that they had just finished a substantial meal, while the women of the place stood guard, and that now they were ready for the march again. The young man was brought before the scowling leader of the force, whom he at once recognised as General De Wet. The General questioned the prisoner gruffly, but apparently paid little heed to what he said. The dispatches he took with him into the house, the farmer following him. The General read the papers, gave a grunt, and threw them into the tire. ‘’They must think us children,” he said, *‘to be fooled by so silly a device. The man was sent to be captured. Have him tied securely and locked in your stable. Send in your daughter to me.’’ The farmer went out, and shortly after Gretchen entered, still carrying her rifle. The general questioned her about the taking of the soldier, and she answered all his queries. “He will be locked in the stable, and tied so that he cannot move. Let him lie there until nine to-night or later. At nine to-night you are to go stealthily to the stable and release him. He is to think you do that for his sake. The conceit of these English will make them believe anything. He is sure to ask where De Wet has gone, and you must tell him that I am entrenching myself on Piety Kop. They will likely surround the hill, and I would have them stay there as Jong as possible. Do you understand?” “Yes, General,” said the girl, with downeast eyes. She seemed to have little enthusiasm for the task set to

her. But De Wet too blunt a man to see any feminine subtleties in her manner. He had got her promise and that was enough. He knew she would obey orders. As soon as he went out and mounted his horse, the troop rode away, Gretchen's father with them, leaving only women in the house, and n man in the stable, tied in a hard knot, exceedingly uncomfortable. As soon as the troop was out of sight, Gretchen unlocked the stable door, and brought the prisoner some food. “If you give your word not to attempt to escape, 1 will untie those ropes.” "Escape?” cried Fitz, “why should I want to escape? I’d rather be here than anywhere else on earth. Only I'd like to be in a little more comfortable position”

She untied the ropes, and he stretched his limbs to restore circulation. Then he made use of his newly obtained freedom by attempting to imprison his fair gaoler in his arms, but she deftly eluded him. “I think you have more re'speet for me with a rille in my hands. Excuse me, till 1 fetch it.” “No, no. Don't go, Hiss Gretchen. I'm awfully sorry if I’ve offended you. Upon my soul, 1 respect you more than anyone else on earth, even nine than old De Wet, if that was him I met a while ago.” “Yes, that was he.” “Where is he off to now?” “lie is going to entrench on Piety Kop with what remains of bis commando.” The girl spoke very slowly and deliberately. Fitzgerald’s eyes sparkled, but whether with admiration of the young woman, or glee at getting so all important a piece of news, no one knows to this day“Will you eat your dinner?” she

asked, “I r.m sorry 1 cannot offer you better fare.” "May I return after the war, and get a better meal, then’” "I advise you to return to your eamp. I will come at nine to-night and release you. if you promise not to attempt to break gaol before that hour.’’ "I’ll do anything you as., me to do.” "You have learned the first duty of a soldier—obedience,” and with that she left him. At nine o’clock she came with a lighted lantern. “I never knew before that prisoners were so loth to be set at liberty,” lie "Perhaps the gaoler is a little sorry, too-—sometimes,” she answeredShe had set the lantern down, ami lie took an impulsive step forward, grasping both her hands. This man was a hated invader, but she forgot that for the moment. ‘■Gretchen,” lie cried. "I’m coming back —I’m coming back for you.” She laughed a little, in embarrassed fashion. ‘•How many have you said that to, since you left East London?” ‘"You know I’ve said it to none but yourself. Gretchen, I’d be a. traitor for your sake. I have to-night the most, precious piece of news in all .wl'riea. I am the only Englishman in the world that knows where De Wet is. I’ll be in camp by daylight. Gretchen, I’ll say nothing about him—for your sake -for roar sake.”

A startled light came into her midnight eyes, then it faded. She had kept the letter of her word to the General, now was the moment to keep the spirit, of it by urging this man to use his knowledge. She also might pretend to be a traitor by giving him liberty to tell his officer the whereabouts of the

elusive De Wet. She kept silence, and called herself a traitor in fact to her cause. •‘You must do what you will with your knowledge.” she replied at last. ‘•Well, Gretehen, my knowledge leads me to hope you won't object.” and with that he kissed her before she had a chance to do so. •‘I shall always wonder who was cap-tured-I—Reginald,” was the sole comment she made.