Part 23 (1/2)
”What are you driving at?”
”It's this wye, sir,” said his whilom chauffeur, taking grace of words.
”You know we struck this plyce yesterday. Feelin' out o' plyce among them furrin-speakin' Krovitzers I hiked down to the Russian guard mount.”
”You mean that you understood Russian better than the native language?”
”Not that, sir, but I knew I would feel more at 'ome there than I would with the big bugs. When I got there the band was a plyin' over at the side o' the square, the flags was aflyin', and blyme me if something didn't stick in my throat, thinkin' of old times, sir.” His eyes grew soft at the recollections evoked. ”When it came time for 'Sergeants front and centre' I got to thinkin' how old Sarge Judson used to stalk up as proud as Colonel Wood himself. I 'ad to rub my bloomin' eyes, for large as life, there was Doc Judson with all them whiskered chaps.”
”Surely, Carrick,” interrupted the astonished Carter, ”you must be mistaken. You don't mean Sergeant Judson of the First Volunteer Cavalry?”
”The syme, sir. When they countermarched back to barracks I saw 'im again. That was fine, sir,” said the fellow enthusiastically. ”Quite like old times, sir. Right 'and grippin' the piece; left 'and swingin'
free. Swingin' along, swingin', swingin', swingin' to the music o' the band. When a fellow who is out of it has been in the service, 'e feels bloomin' soft when 'e sees the fours sweep by 'im. I wanted to cheer and swing me bloomin' cap just to keep from blubberin'. Then, right guide of his four, come Judson. Six paces awye he saw me. He turned white, then red, but like the good soldier 'e was, 'e never let it spoil 'is cadence. 'E tipped me the wink and pa.s.sed by. I waited. Presently 'e came back. 'Are you with the gang at the castle?' 'e arsked. I said I was. 'Cut it, Bull, and run,' 'e said. They used to call me John Bull, you know. Then 'e added slow as if 'e was not sure 'e 'ad the right to tell--'I'm on to their game. To-morrow mornin' I'm goin' to squeal on 'em to the commandant. That'll give you plenty o' time for you to get awye. For old times' syke, Bull,' 'e said as 'e gripped my 'and.”
Then Carrick went on to narrate how Judson had told him that a fellow named Johann, who had broken jail, had just that morning drifted into the guardhouse where the sergeant had the relief. He had promised Judson if given twenty-four hours' start he would disclose a big game of treason. Judson promised, and the fellow,--none other than the pent-browed peasant,--had related all he knew of the Krovitzers' plans.
Carrick confessed to some trepidation when he had heard that so much was known outside their own party. But he had stood his guns manfully and refused to fly. He gave as his reason his loyalty to Calvert Carter.
When Judson learned that his old captain was walking straight into the impending peril he was greatly surprised, but promised to take care of him or forfeit his life. Carrick by way of reply had innocently inquired who was sergeant of relief that night.
”'E was wise, though,” said Carrick with a laugh. ”'E looked at me suspiciously. 'I am,' 'e said with a jerk; 'why?'
”'Better 'ave ball cartridges,' I says, 'I'm goin' to give you a surprise. That's a fair warnin' for a fair warnin', Doc,' I said. 'E showed 'e was worried. 'E begged me not to do it, sayin' that they'd 'ave ball cartridges an' reinforcements a-plenty to-morrow, which is to-day, sir. I knew by that that they were shy at that time, sir. I found out that their strength was only 'arf a battalion. We sprung our surprise last night, sir, overpowered the sentries and took the bloomin'
town.”
”It will surely be traced to Judson, Carrick. You know what that means for him. I hope the poor fellow made his escape before they had the chance of standing him up against the wall. Did you see him again?”
Carrick's mobile face took on an unaccustomed gravity.
”Once,” he answered with some effort. ”Don't worry, sir, the Russians won't bother _him_. You see,” he hurried on with obvious haste, ”we sneaked on each sentry until we came to Number One Post. It was near the gates--connected by phone and electric light wires with the barracks.”
”How did you manage?”
”Cut the bloomin' wires.”
”Didn't the guard rush out?”
”They did, sir. Couldn't find their pieces in the dark. They rushed right into the arms of the two companies Colonel Sutphen had there waiting for them. Only one, a sergeant, 'ad grit enough to fight. 'E picked me out, sir. Rushed me with 'is sword and gave me all I could do,” said Carrick giving gallant tribute to a valiant foe. The c.o.c.kney became silent.
”Well?” inquired Carter after a prolonged season of expectancy.
”The old trick you taught me in E Troop did for 'im, sir. As 'e fell, 'e said, 'Bull, you are a d.a.m.ned rascal,' and laughed as if the joke was on 'im. 'I'm done for, Bull,' 'e went on, 'but I'd rather die this wye in a fair fight with a friend, than blindfold against the wall for a traitor.
Take care o' Cap Carter, 'e said. Then 'e croaked.”
”Judson,” cried Carter regretfully at the death of a brave man.
”Judson, of old E Troop,” replied Carrick solemnly. ”We sounded taps over 'im this mornin', sir.”
XX
A SOUND AT MIDNIGHT