The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 191: what you’re looking at

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

A COURAGEOUS COWARD. 383 ‘Well, yes, my boy,’’ he went on in the same audible tones, which some- how little Binks had a fancy were intended for his own ear. ‘‘I rather flatter myself that her life, so to speak, is wrapped up in yours truly. Point of fact, she said in her last letter that it would simply break her heart out- right if anything happened to your humble servant in this campaign.’’ Pleasant for little Binks, who firmly believed every word! Major Trevitt’s friend was less credulous, perhaps. He coughed drily, and made no immediate response. ‘She never cared for Binks, don’t you know,’’ continued the major, who was unusually indiscreet this evening. ‘‘ It wasa bit of coquetry just to lead the poor fellow on—little Binks is hardly the figure of a man to A “T think you’ve said quite enough, Major Trevitt !’’ Lieutenant Binks seemed quite six feet in height, as, rising from his camp ‘stool, he walked to the side of the astonished officer and broke in upon his conversation. No neéd to describe what followed. ‘The angry, sneering reply, the hot words, the blow ! Major Trevitt, whose sunburned cheek was tingling from the contact of little Binks’ fingers smartly applied, loudly demanded ‘‘ the satisfaction due from one gentleman to another,’’ while friends vainly tried to intercede. But to the surprise of all, little Binks would neither fight nor apologize. ‘The one is against my principles and the other against my inclination,”’ he said quietly. And the word ‘‘coward,’’ I regret to say, was heard from more than one pair of bearded lips—notably from Major Trevitt’s. But little Binks only closed his own a little tighter,. and retired to his quarters. It was‘a little after day dawn on the following morning, when Lieutenant Binks, having posted his videttes under his own personal supervision, rode forward a short distance in the direction of a line of blue gum trees, beyond which the enemy were presumed to be massing in force. But everything looked quiet and peaceful. In fact, Binks saw no sign of life in any direction. He was about bringing out his field glass, when Major Trevitt rode up from an opposite direction at a sharp trot. Little Binks gravely saluted. The major scowled. ‘Tf you want my plain, unvarnished opinion of you, Lieutenant Binks,”’ he said with gathering wrath, ‘‘I repeat what I said last night—you’re an infernal coward and . All at once froma ruined kraal, half hidden in the underbrush between the two officers and the blue gum tree forest, there belched forth a tremen- dous fusillade. Major Trevitt wheeled his horse sharply round, but a ball struck the animal in the fore shoulder, while another passed through the major’s bridle arm, shattering the bone. Little Binks sprang from his saddle like a cat, just in time to prevent the officer from being crushed by his falling steed. ‘“Save yourself, you thundering fool !’’ growled the major, as following the volley came a yelling, shrieking throng of half naked Zulus brandishing their assegais, while at the same time another lot, in ambush, kept up a con- tinuous fire. CONIC OOOKS.cO 5}