Army and Navy Weekly — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

1080 spection of the tents might do better. Another ‘‘tac,’’? Lieutenant Ross, had joined him at this moment. And with- out a moment’s delay, the two set to work. And Lieutenant Allen started with Company A, the very street in which Mark Mallory’s tent stood! A thousand wild plans had occurred to the six, to Texas in particular. He might ‘Chold up’? the tac, prevent the inspec- tion! Or dress up as Mark and have him- self reported! Great Heavens! he must do something. The officer began at the head of the street. He flashed his lantern into the first tent, counting the sleepers and not- ing that nothing was disturbed. Then he came to the second, to the third, the fourth, and so on down. It was the work of but one second to glance into each. It would take but five seconds more to reach Mark’s, to note the fact that there were but three in that tent, and that Cadet Mallory was absent out of camp, out of limits ! Texas turned to his comrades as the officer drew near. ‘There were tears in Texas’ eyes, and his voice was choked. ‘Vou fellows,’? he said, to the three from the B tent, ‘‘you—you’d better go back, or you’ll get soaked, too.”’ Nearer still came the officer. One tent more! The three had turned to go—and then suddenly Texas uttered a cry of joy and staggered back against the tent wall! An instant later he leaped forward, seized Dewey, one of the three, by the shoulders and fairly flung him to the ground. “Tie there! Lie there!’’ he gasped, hoarsely. ‘‘Durnation !”? Dewey, quick as a wink, saw the ruse. The other two, confused and frightened, dashed across to their tent and hid, won- dering what was up, what Texas was try- ing to do. But Dewey slid into the blank- ets that made Mark’s ‘‘bed,’’ drew the sheet over him, all but his head, and then lay still, gasping and trembling like a leaf. Texas and other two sprang for their places and imitated him. And an instant ~“ ARMY AND NAVY later the white light of the officer’s lan- tern flashed into the tent. The four held their breath; their hearts fairly ceased to beat as the tac glanced around. He sawa tent undis- turbed; he saw Texas, and the Parson, and Sleepy; and he saw the brown curly hair of the fourth occupant, lying upon his stomach, his face turned away fron the light. A second more and he passed on; and the four almost fainted with the reaction of relief. It was not over yet, though. ‘‘Allen’’ had two more tents to visit up that row, and then he,would turn to B Company. Texas peered out and watched him reach the last tent, and then uttered a whis- pered ‘‘Now!”’ Quick as a flash, Dewey slid under the wall at the rear, whisked across the open space, and dived into his own tent—sate! The camp settled down into quietness a few minutes after that. But the six never slept another wink. Mark had es- caped that danger, he was safe for a mo- ment. But another alarm might come any moment! And reveille was sure to come in a few hours! And where was Mark? : | Texas, ever sly, had become suspicious by that time; ever bold and faithful, he lost not a moment in hesitation. He left camp again! He ran straight to Meg Adams’ house, and from it straight out the path he had seen the twotake. It was a forlorn hope, but it met with fulfill- ment. Texas heard a low groan, the only signal Mark could make when he heard the step of a possible rescuer. And in half an hour more Mark Mal- lory -was back in camp again, safe, tell- ing to his furious friends the tale of his betrayal and hearing from them the tale of his ‘‘escape.’’ [THE END. | The next West Point novelette by Lieutenant Frederick Garrison will be entitled ‘‘Mark Mallory’s Strange Find; or, The Secret of the Counterfeiter’s Cave.’’ No. 24 Army and Navy. COMICLOOCKKS. GO a te ee