Come on, fine lady." Intent on insulting this woman whose husband had once cut his back with a whip the man caught her by the arm and roughly tried to pull her to him.

But before he could accomplish his purpose retribution fell on him with a heavy hand.
Through a gap in the hedge an officer at the head of a dozen troopers appeared.

One look at the scene on the veranda and Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison, with a smothered cry, dashed up the steps.
"You beastly coward," and catching the drunkard by the collar he twisted him around and hurled him thudding and bumping down the steps.

"Dudley, I ought to have you shot." He swept his arm out and gave voice to a ringing command.

"Report to Lieutenant Harris--at once--_under arrest!_ Corporal! Take his gun." He paused a moment as a brother of the man now under arrest stepped forward with a sullen face and obeyed orders.
Running his glance over the line of faces, now suddenly vacant of expression, he whipped them mercilessly with his eye.