CHAPTER XXI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 9, 22 June 1883, Page 7

CHAPTER XXI.

" That's impossible I " said Maurice. " Why impossible ? " queried Biiney discontentedly. " Because no one— not even an arrant coward — would resign in face of the enemy . It would be a complete abandonment of all claim to manhood. It can't be done." 44 There it is again," broke in Briney. " It's only what this wan thinks, and that wan thinks, and the other wan thinks, you're thinking ov. But sorra much any ov' 'em ud think ny you if you were lyin' to-night before the Russian guns dead — as many a wan wid the gold lace on his shouldhers— an' about id— is." 44 That's so, too, Briney you good-hearted, brave fellow ; but it's not to be done, Briney, and there is no use in talking further about it. I should prefer a grave on that bleak hill-side to Craighome with a tarnished name." 11 If they'd fight at home as they fight here," said Briney half in soliloquy. " What puts that in your head ? " inquired Maurice, to whom the words called up sorrowful reflection of his dead friend. "Faix because half the fellows that rode that charge, an' more nor half, were Irish." 14 How do you know that ? " " I know it well." "How ? " asked Maurice, with some curiosity. "Why, what d'ye think I was doin' all the time I'm here? Soria ~igiany ov 'em I didn't know wan way or another." k "You're a wonderful fellow, Briney. I have right to thank God that you forced your way from Portsmouth with me." And throwing himself on his knees, Maurice offered up thanks for his preservation, and in a few minutes after he was fast asleep on his camp bed. " Here is a letter for you, Maurice," said Briney, as the former turned in his bed when the tent was filled with the morning light. He was surprised to find it so far advanced in the day, for he had slept so soundly he did not think he could have been more than a few hoins asleep. "When did it come?" " About an hour ago." "Who brougbtit?" " Faix an officer from head-quarthers brought it." " Why didn't you waken me ? " "Is it waken you an' you sleepin' so sound ? sorra fear ay me. It's not so much good sound sleep you get. He wanted me to waken you, but I wouldn't. "A letter from head-quarters— show it to me. What on earth are they thinking of ? This comes of last night's business I fancy," said Maurice distrustfully, as a thousand thoughts of censure and dismissal ran through his head. " Craighome may not be so unlikely, after all, Briney." " God grant it," said Briney piously. " Not under these circumstances, I hope," said Maurice smiling through his distrusts at the earnestness of his follower. " I don't care to see it as a dismissed soldier. Do you know what it is to be ' broke ' Briney ?" "I do" said Briney. 44 Then you are likely to see a case of it near at hand." " Sorra fear ov id, said Briney. " I don't know that," said Maurice dubiously. " Faix thee'li never brake a man who is ready to face the whole Rooshan army, an' leap into the very smoke ay' their guns. Arrah, d'ye think the Ginerals are goin' to do the work themselves, that they'd be goin' to send away them that are." " They do stranger things sometimes, Briney," said Maurice with a heavy heart. " I cannot see to read in the dim light. Get me a candle." Maurice threw the letter on the leather trunk beside the bed, that did duty at once for chair and table; whilst Briney procured the light and placed it thereupon also. It was some time before be could bring himself to take it up. His mind went back on old times, on many pleasant and happy days in the service, when bright dreams of ambition passed through his glowing brain. And this was the result of all— censure and disgrace. At last, with an angry malediction, he drew the candle near and took up the letter. He had hardly glanced at it when he started upright. 14 Briney 1 " " Yes," said Briney, who had been watching him with surprise. " Who brought this letter ? " " Didn't I tell you afore, a staff officer ? " " He must have made a mistake." 41 Sorra a mistake. He knew you well." "This letter is not for me." " Faix it is, an' no wan else." "It is not." •■' Arrah, don't be talkin' nonsense. Didn't he know you as well us I did. It's for'you whatever it's about, Ihe divil's good luck to 'em a«." ' Why, Briney," said Maurice, as he gazed like a man in a dream At the -etter still unopened in his hand, " this letter is addressed to Colon* t Maurice O'Donnell." "* big drops of excitement and surprise gathered on his fore- • he spoke. "The divil may care," said Briney, "ay it was to Gineral Maurice O'Donnell, it's for you." Reassured by this, Maurice, with trembling fingers, broke the seal, and opened the missive.

His eyes, dim with the perturbation of his heart, could not for some time distinguish the words. Controlling, himself at last, he read — "Headquarters of the Army. Before Sebastopol. . " Dear Sir, — His lordship the General Commanding-in-Chief desires me to inform you that in recognition of your splendid bravery in* the charge of yesterday, he has been pleased to appoint yon to the command of the regiment which is vacant by the death of the colonel. " In addition, accept my own compliments and congratulations— Yours faithfully, " AIBBT. 44 P. S. — Report yourself at headquarters at once." " Well, Briney," said Maurice after a pause, and after be had read the letter for his attendant, " this is the most extraordinary of surprises. I can hardly believe it even yet. There must be some mistake. This is surprising promotion." " Well," said Briney coolly, " didn't you aim it 1 Didn't you run the risk of your life, an' a hundred lives ay you bad 'em 1 I wouldn't thank 'em to make you a Gineral out and out, Faix it's not the first Gineral O'Donnell that owned to seem' the light in Craighome ; an 1 I'll be bound it wasn't standin' up on a hill watchin' others fightin' they wor aither, like the fellows yesterday, watchin' a' through their telescopes. Faix I'll be bound it's at the head of their men they wor, wid their sabres in their hands, ridin' hard to where the fight was hardest. That was the way the O'Donnell's always fought, an* God forgive 'em their sins, died far enough away from Craighome an' Ireland." "Get me my uniform, Briney," said Maurice who, his mind otherwise intently occupied, had not beard one word of his long ad* dress. " I must go to headquarters at once." " Won't yon take some breakfast ? " " I couldn't eat a morsel. I must see if this is real." " Arrah, d'ye think," said Briney indignantly, " they have nothin 1 to do but jokin' at headquarlhers ? Faix they've others news this mormn'." " What news?" said Maurice, pausing in his act of dressing. " The news of the Booshans." " What new is that ? " " They attacked the trenches last night." "A sortie?" " Yes ; an' only you wor sleepin' so sound you'd have heard the guns goin' and the rifles firm. Faix it's many a wan that was sthrong and brave last night have their white faces turned to the Bky quiet enough this mornin'." " Were you there 1 " asked Maurice, turning around with curiosity and facing his attendant. " Arrah, to be sure I was. What would Ibe doin' here whin I couldn't sleep wid the noise of them cannon ? " " And joined into the fight, too, I'll be sworn," said Maurice again, as he noticed for the first time his bandaged arm. " Faix you may say that," said Briney, glancing at the wounded arm again. " A Rooshan bayonet did 'that. Good look to bun." " And you blame me for venturing my life when duty calls me, whilst you do it of your own motion ? " "I could not help it," said Briney. "It don't matter much about me, but there is only wan O'Donnell to carry the name in Craighome." " Well, Briney, you're a strange fellow, and a brave fellow," said Maurice, in admiration of his companion ; " but don't risk your life again unnecessarily. £ shall be back soon." Arrived at headquarters, Maurice was ushered at once into the presence of Lord Raglan. He was alone, and received Maurice with great friendliness. "I thought I should give you as great a surprise as you gave the Russian gunners," said the General, as after some conversation, he shook hands with Maurice and bade him good bye. " The colonel's sword never fell into braver hands. May you long wear it worthily. Go»d bye, Colonel O'Dannell."