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[59]
bon-point showed conclusively to those who knew him most intimately, that nothing but an intense love of good living had enlisted his interest; for although an urbane gentleman, an accomplished knight of the quill, and an expert at cribbage and euchre, his comrades always expected him to do the ornamental part when any detail was made for fatigue duty.
On this particular occasion it seems a flock of sheep was the object of the expedition.
As soon as the raiders came upon them in the darkness, naturally enough they cantered away, and equally natural was it that their adversaries should pursue.
This they at once did, and foremost in the van was the Guidon, who led off with an impetuosity rarely equalled and truly surprising; but the sheep were more accustomed to this kind of business than he was and seemed to be gaining on him. This was too much for the equanimity of the gallant color-bearer.
In his mind's eye he had already made a savory repast off one of them,—had scented the delicious odors from broiling chops,— had buried his knife deep in a hind-quarter roasted and done to a turn by ‘Black Mary,’—and now to be cheated out of his prey was too much to expect of human nature.
He draws his revolver and dashes forward with renewed determination.
His blood is fully up, and as he nears the flock he empties at least three barrels among them, which appears to result in no bodily injury to the sheep, but calls down the maledictions of the sergeant on his head for his indiscretion.
This in a few moments becomes apparent, for the fire of the pickets is drawn, the Long Roll is sounded, and the infantry turned out to repel an expected attack, the shots by the Guidon having been supposed to be from the enemy.
The marauders skulked back to camp by the quickest route,
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