THE FORTUNES OF MAURICE O'DONNELL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume X, Issue 523, 13 April 1883, Page 23

THE FORTUNES OF MAURICE O'DONNELL.

(By Coif AL Noia in the Dublin Freeman.")

CHAPTER XIV.

" Certainly, O'Donnell. I told you so. I can know one of them at any distance. It was the spy and— and thief — that guided them I have no doubt." " Assuredly it must have been, sir," absented Maurice. " Yes ; but unlike most of the Russians, this was a low man, or he stooped in running. But I knew him by his Cossack cap. Stole our plans — and some champagne, and — and — What's that you are saying about dinner ? Have you not dined yet ? " " Why, General, we have only just arrived, and the Commissariat cannot be expected to do anything in a " " Damn the Commissariat," broke in the General energetically. " They ought to be all hanged, sir, every man of them. They are leaving us without provision or ammunition. But, talk of provision, will you dive with me 1 " " I fear the honour, General, would be " " Damn the honour, sir. You have both shown yourselves good watchful officeis. I wish we had more of the kind here." " But, General, our uniforms " " Don't speak of uniforms, sir. It is men aud not uniforms are to be regardad for the present." " Then, in that case " "In that case, sir, come along. You sHall be my guest, sir, this evening " ; and drawing Maurice's arm within his own, the hasimout really kind and brave General led the way back to his tent, Harold following after, as became one who had'so nearly brought himself into disgrace. If the fog outside and the damp made matters cheerless and uncomfortable, the General's tent, as they approached the door made ample amends. The lights gleamed from within, throwing a rich flood of light outside, and displaying the forms of numerous officers talking in groups within. There came also on the night air the welcome ,aroma of dinner preparing, and it probably never came before oi^^nses so grateful to receive it as on those of the two hungry officers. With most of those present they were wholly unacquainted, but as a number crowded around the General to ascertain the meaning of the volleys they had heard in the distance at the front, the glad face of Nolan presented itself to their gftee. " Well, gentlemen," said he, as he advanced with his usual warmth, " here at last. Trebly glad to Bee you. How did you become acquainted with the General ? " It was very briefly explained to him. " You were not long makingjicquaintance with the Russians," aiu Nolan, as he heard the recilaT; " nor were you slow in doing £c Jtive work. It would have been possibly a sad half -hour with us

but for you. They are extremely daring." " They had paid you a prior visit, the General atates," said Harold. " Yes. One of them actually crept into the tent here, and swept away with him— what do you think ? " "The plans?" " Ah, I see the General has told you. More tfcan that however — though that loss is significant enough. Something more ; actually took some champagne and presents from Lord Raglan." " What was the Guard about 1 " " The Guard. Lord bless you. The Guard could no more shoot him than they could shoot a weasel. He disappeared like a ghost < They saw him and nothing more. We shall have serious times of it if they have many as adventurous as he. Think of taking the champagne off the General's table in the presence of the officers, and bringing himself off in the very face of the guards." •' Tfcey must be badly off for food in the forts," said Maurice thoughtfully, " when they send men on such a dangerous mission to carry away wine and food. " I fancy they did it more as an act of bravery, and to give us a sengfcf what metal they are made of, Though, dear knows, a less dai^v enemy would Buit us equally well here, for everything is in the Utmost confusion. There seems to be no order or regularity, method or plan." " Well, they will have the pleasure of drinking the General's health," said Maurice ; " but here comes the dinner," as he saw the dishes approaching, and the officers seat themselves m£h scant ceremony around the table — " and, my dear friend, dinner never came to such welcome guests before. We are mortal hungry. And what good luck brought you here? " " When did you come ? " asked Nolan, as he moved with his friends towards the dining table. " This evening." "Ah, that accounts for your not hearing of my promotion." " Promotion — already ? " said Maurice. " Yes. For good or for evil, I have been appointed staff-officer with Lord Raglan." " Pretty rapid work, that, Nolan," said Harold in astonish-

ment. "So it is," said Nolan, carelessly ; M buttfike your seats, gentle* men. Enjoy your dinner ; you won't get mtinySß comfortable until we march into yonder town. We can talk afterwards." There was no hesitation on the part of. all three in .seating themselves, and equally less of partaking of the fare set before them.

The conversation, which was brisk and animated, trirned at first oil the recent capture of their plans — a loss which all looked upon as a very serious and significant one — aDd on the recent sortie. From all that Maurice gleaned from the conversation, it seemed to him that they were all much more impressed with the former than with tbe latter. The recent battles of the Alma and Inkerman were also discussed and the relative merits of the three armies discussed with consider-, able frankness. And finally the discussion turned upon the compaTa - live worth of the two branches of the service— the infantry and the cavalry. " They are speaking to you, Nolan," said Maurice, as his friend sat in deep thought toying with his glass of wine. •' Who ? " inquired the other looking up. - - " The General, I fancy," said Maurice in a whisper. " I beg your pardon, General. Were you speaking to me ? " inquired Nolan. " These, gentlemen say," said the General, " that your branch of the service will have nothing further to do in the war. What say you ? " " I say what I think Menschikoff will say in a few days," said Nolan quickly, " that whatever is stirring or telling it will fall to the lot of the cavalry to do." A chorus of friendly disapprobation greeted this remark, from the officers assembled around. " Why, they have already achieved some fame," said Nolan goodhumouredly ; " two cavalry officers present discovered and defeated this late sortie, whilst all the infantry could not prevent the capture of the plans and the provisions." This sally produced a burst of laughter, an 4 all around were immediately engaged discussing the latter circumstances. Some averred that the intruder was a gigantic Cossack, who merely assumed a stooping position during his visit, whilst others, with equal emphasis, stated their opinion that he was one of low stature. But all agreed that it was an act of great courage and daring. The dinner jger and the company breaking up, Nolan showed his friends the way home through the labyrinth of tents, and parted them at their tent door. " A change from Portsmouth," said Maurice, as they tramped through the mire. "And from Donegal," said Harold,, whose thoughts at the moment were running on Grace. " X wonder how shall we sleep to-night. Not on the ground surely. It would be death." " I had forgotten that until now," said Harold. I fear we must, unless we can make our trunks serve. It will be days, weeks, before we can get our things from the transport. " And with a sigh he thought ofjais interrupted holidays at Craigholme and of the beautiful girl that dwelt there. '• Briney has a light anyhow," said Maurice interrupting bis reflections as they pushed aside the canvas that formed the ddor. " What ! this is not our tent." " If it be it is strangely altered," said his friend. " Look at the handsome camp beds." " And the table." "And the bottles." " I fear we have made a mistake. That beautiful fire cannot have been made with our green sticks." " (To be continued.)