my life."

The officer's face turned a slow brick-red. For a moment he said
nothing, then exploded with the utmost violence.

"Then why the devil am I dragged up here with my men in the night?"
he cried. "Who's responsible for this insanity, anyway? Don't you
know," he roared at Reed, who that moment swung within his range of
vision, "that I have no standing in the presence of civil law? What
do you mean getting me up here to your miserable little backwoods
squabbles?"

Reed started to say something, but was immediately cut short by the
irate captain.

"I've nothing to do with that; settle it in court. And what's more,
you'll have something yourself to settle with the State! About,
face! Forward, march!"

The men faded into the gray light as though dissolved by it.

A deep and respectful silence fell upon the men, which was broken by
Orde's solemn and dramatic declamation.


"The King of France and twice ten thousand men
Marched up the hill, and then marched down again,"


he recited; then burst into his deep roar of laughter.