CHAPTER XXIV
I BECOME A FAMOUS SWORDSMAN
"Sergeant," I said shortly, "I think you can be of greater service inthe hall."
He disappeared reluctantly enough, and, as the door closed, I extendedmy hand to the major.
"I certainly appreciate your assistance," I began warmly. "I know verylittle about these affairs, or how they are conducted."
He took my hand, yet with no great cordiality, plainly enough alreadysomewhat doubtful as to his course.
"I presumed as much, sir, but first, and before we proceed further, Ishould like to have some explanation of the trouble between you and LeGaire. You are doubtless aware that I am the father of Willifred Hardy."
"Yes, Major, and I am perfectly willing to tell you the whole story.Shall I send for Miss Hardy to corroborate whatever I may say?"
"No, sir. You are a Yankee, but a gentleman, and I accept your word. Iprefer Billie should know nothing of what is occurring."
I told it swiftly from the beginning, yet was careful to leave noimpression that she had performed anything more than a mere friendlyservice to an enemy in danger. Even then it was difficult for theConfederate to appreciate fully the girl's motives, and his face clearlyexpressed disapproval. As I came to an end, after telling of her effortto gain his release, and my locking her within her own room, he pacedback and forth across the floor, scowling down at the carpet.
"By Gad, you tell the story all right," he exclaimed, "but that doesn'tseem like Billie; whatever got into the girl to make her do a tricklike that?"
"You mean helping me?"
"Yes, against Le Gaire. I can understand how she took you through toJonesboro; that was necessary. But all the rest is a puzzle. Did youknow she was engaged to Captain Le Gaire?"
"Yes; but evidently she did not think it would help him any to betrayme, and she was careful enough I should not escape in time to do anyharm to your army. There was no treason in her act, Major, only she feltsympathy toward me."
"But she permitted your attack on the man."
"She knew nothing of it, until it was all over with." I hesitated, butwhy should I? Surely he must already begin to perceive the truth. "Thatshe should have left him lying there until I was safely across the riveris the only act which tells hard against Le Gaire. No woman could havedone that, Major Hardy, if she really loved the wounded man."
He did not reply, evidently endeavoring to realize all my meaning.
"This is where you have made your mistake," I went on convincingly."Nothing is holding your daughter to Le Gaire but her promise. I wasobliged to overhear their conversation after you left, and he appealedto her pride, to the honor of the Hardys, in order to gain her consentto the marriage. She told him she no longer loved him, that he was notthe man she had supposed him to be--actually begged for release. I canunderstand the situation, and, it seems to me, you ought to now. He is ahandsome fellow, dashing and reckless, the kind to make an impression.She was flattered by his attentions, and deceived into the thought thatshe really cared for him. Then she saw his true nature--his selfishness,brutality, cowardice, even--and revolted. I doubt if I had anything todo with this change--it was bound to come. You are a man, Major Hardy,and must know men--is Le Gaire the kind you would want your daughterto marry?"
"By Gad! the way you put it--no!" emphatically. "I've thought wellenough of him until to-night; probably he's kept his best side turnedtoward me, and, besides, it never once occurred to me that Billie didn'twant him. I've heard stories about the man, pretty hard ones at that,but he appeared like a gentleman, and I naturally supposed them largelyfairy tales. Because I felt sure Billie liked him, I did also, butto-night he has shown me the other side of his character. Still, I don'tknow that I wonder much at his hating you."
"I have given him all the cause I could--would gladly give more ifpossible."
Hardy's eyes twinkled.
"I reckon your heart is all right, even if your uniform is the wrongcolor. But, young man, this affair puts me in a queer box. I spoke uprather hastily a while back, and now here I am seconding a damned Yankeein a fight against one of our own men--it don't just look right."
"I merely accepted your own offer; no doubt my sergeant would act."
"Oh, I'll stay. The fact is, I rather like you, Lieutenant--eh, what isthe name? Oh, yes, Galesworth--you see Billie never even so much asmentioned having met you. Anyway, I'm in this affair, and am going tostick, although if all they tell about Le Gaire is true I wouldn't givemuch for your chances of coming out whole."
"He is a duellist then?"
"Notorious; although, as near as I can learn, he has not had a seriousaffair for some time. He assured me once, when I ventured to questionhim, that he was through with that sort of thing. It's common practiceamong the Louisiana hot-bloods, and I supposed he had got his senses.Probably Billie never even heard of his reputation in this respect. Whatdo you do best--shoot or fence?"
"Shoot, although I am hardly an expert at either."
"Le Gaire will name swords," he said soberly. "He's a fine swordsman,and probably the only question is how badly he'll try to hurt you."
"A pleasant prospect surely."
"For him, yes, but as your second I propose impressing Captain Bell,when he arrives, with the idea that you are particularly expert with thesabre, which happens to be the only sword weapon present. If I succeedhe may decide that pistols will be better."
I stared at him with full appreciation, realizing the man was reallyseeking to serve me.
"May make it too," he went on calmly. "You're a stronger man than LeGaire, and that means something with the sabre. If I can convince Bell,he'll make Le Gaire decide in favor of the gun. There he comes now.Well, Bell, you've been long enough about it--must be your first case."
The infantryman bowed rather coldly, his back against the closed door,as he surveyed us both.
"I have not had much experience in such affairs, Major Hardy, and Idesired some understanding of the circumstances before finallyconsenting to act," he replied stiffly. "I am informed that Captain LeGaire is the challenged party."
"Well, that might be a question, but we will waive the technicalities.Le Gaire provoked the fight, and was rather nasty about it in myjudgment, but all we are anxious about now is to get the preliminariesover with as soon as possible. We acknowledge that your man was the onechallenged."
"Then, sir, we demand an immediate meeting, and name swords as theweapons."
Hardy turned to me, a smile of delight illumining his face.
"Good enough," he exclaimed, sufficiently loud to reach the ears of theastonished captain. "Not so bad, hey, Galesworth?"
I nodded, but without venturing a reply, and Bell exhibited his surprisein his face.
"Is--is Lieutenant Galesworth an expert with the sabre?" he asked, aftera moment's silence.
"Is he!" echoed Hardy. "Do you mean to say Le Gaire has never heard ofhim?"
"I--I think not."
"That's odd. Why, we of the staff knew all about those sabre trials inthe Federal camp. I naturally supposed Le Gaire wished to try his skillwith the champion for the honor of the South. Such a struggle ought tobe worth seeing, but Galesworth would have the advantage of weight, andlength of arm."
Bell evidently did not know either what to say or do. This threw anentirely new light on the situation, and left him in an awkwardposition. He shuffled uneasily about.
"Would--would you gentlemen mind my consulting Captain Le Gaire again?"he questioned doubtfully. "I think he should fully understand hisopponent's skill."
Hardy laughed, completely at ease, and enjoying the other's dilemma.
"Well, I hardly know about that, Bell. Under the laws of the code wecan hold you to your first choice, and I'm inclined to do so. Great jokeon Le Gaire. However, I am willing to leave it to my man. What do yousay, Galesworth?"
I had retired to the opposite side of the room, and was leaning with onearm on the mantel. In spite of the seriousness of the affair, it wasimp
ossible not to be amused by this sudden turn. Bell's eyes shiftedquestioningly toward me.
"Surely Lieutenant Galesworth will not desire to take any undueadvantage," he ventured.
"Was not that Captain Le Gaire's idea?" I returned sharply. "He has thereputation of expert swordsmanship."
"He is a swordsman, yes, but does not profess to excel with the sabre."
I waited a moment in silence, permitting my hesitancy to become plainlyapparent.
"Well, Captain Bell, much as I prefer the weapons already named, I willnevertheless consent to a change. I am ready to concede anything if Ican only compel your man to fight."
"Do you mean to question Captain Le Gaire's courage, sir?" hotly.
"He seems to be fairly solicitous about his own safety, at least,"chimed in Hardy. "Go on, Bell, and talk it over with him--this isnot our row."
The little captain backed out still raging, and the major followed himto the door, lingering there as though listening. I watched curiouslyuntil he straightened up, struggling to keep back a laugh.
"That's some liar you've got for a sergeant, Galesworth," he saidgenially. "Bell ran up against him in the hall, and stopped to ask aquestion. He wasn't exactly certain we had been telling the truth. Yourman must have been primed for the occasion the way he turned loose.Would like to have seen Bell's eyes pop out as the fellow described yourexploits. Makes me proud to know you myself."
"Did Miles say I was an expert with the sabre?" I questioned inastonishment.
"Did he! Champion of the Army of the Tennessee; undefeated for twoyears, both afoot and on horse-back; described a wonderful stroke thatcaught them all; told about how you accidentally drove it an inch toofar once, and killed your opponent. Oh, he was great. It will be pistolswhen Bell comes back; don't doubt that, my boy, and I know the veryspot--out back of the stable, level ground, and no interference."
The interest which Major Hardy was exhibiting, as well as the promptnesswith which he had espoused my side of the quarrel, made me suspiciousthat he was not altogether sorry to be thus easily rid of Le Gaire. Icould not venture questioning him on so delicate a matter, but withoutdoubt he also saw the Louisianian in a new light, and began tocomprehend the change in his daughter. Moreover the humor in thesituation appealed to him, and, having once volunteered to serve me, hebecame thoroughly loyal to that purpose. His very presence gave mecourage, and his words stiffened me for the coming ordeal. This was myfirst occasion of the kind and, as the earlier anger wore off, I foundmyself looking forward with some dread to the encounter. It was notfear, but the newness of the experience jarred my nerves. I paced backand forth across the room, only partially aware of what he was saying,endeavoring to straighten matters out in my own mind. Was I doing right?Was I justified in this course of action? I had followed the impulse ofpassion, the sting of Le Gaire's blow driving all other memory from me.But now I realized the peril in which my action might involve others,the men under my command, for instance, and wondered what Billie wouldthink and say when the news of the quarrel reached her. She wouldunderstand the real cause, yet, with her father upon my side, I was notlikely to suffer greatly. Anyway the die was cast; it was too late nowto regret. Bell returned full of apology and explanation, expressing adesire that the weapons be changed to pistols. Hardy arose from hischair, his eyes twinkling behind heavy lashes.
"Sure; Galesworth is easily satisfied. I have two derringers up stairsexactly alike; my father was out with them twice! Quite a fad duellingwas in his day, but the guns haven't been used for years. Come handynow. By the way, Lieutenant, you shoot equally well with either hand, Ibelieve? Very valuable accomplishment; never could myself. We will meetyou, Captain Bell, back of the stable in fifteen minutes. Sorry we haveno surgeon present. That is all, is it not?" as the infantryman stilllingered. "The minor details can be arranged on the field."