Page:War; or, What happens when one loves one's enemy, John Luther Long, 1913.djvu/211

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MORE MYSTERY

"We want to know," says they, "no matter who you or they are, whether they have enlisted."

"Yes, you fools," says Kratz, "and both are officers! You'll get your court-martial for this if I can accomplish it!"

They seem sort of flabbergasted when Kratz shows them our names on the paper—with captain after Jon's and lieutenant after mine.

"Now," says Kratz, "you'd better stop bothering these people! They command a hundred men. You are only two."

"Yes, these," nods the soldier. "I suppose they're all right."

"And if they hadn't started it no one else would have come in. You've got to thank this young man for a hundred Union recruits out of this secessionist hole."

Then he puts his arms on both of our shoulders, and says:

"Gentlemen, under the circumstances, I feel that I ought to let you both withdraw. Only, in that case, I fear, we lose the whole company.

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