It is my duty as commandant." "Two of your officers are here," said Wells, "and they can probably answer for themselves.

Ensign Ronan is not present." "He is acting as officer of the day," returned Heald, somewhat stiffly, "and is therefore not eligible for such service.

Perhaps one of the officers here present possesses courage enough for the venture ?" Apparently neither cared to express himself, after such an insinuation.
At last one, whose voice I recognized as that of Surgeon Van Voorhis, gave utterance to his refusal.
"As the only medical officer of the garrison, I feel justified in declining to go upon so desperate an expedition," he said gravely.

"It would expose not only my own life to unnecessary peril, but the lives of many others as well." "And what say you, Lieutenant Helm?
Have you also personal scruples ?" I could detect a tremor in the younger officer's voice, as he answered promptly.
"Captain Heald has before this seen me in time of danger," he said quietly, "and can have no reason for ascribing cowardice to me.

But I will frankly say this, sir, and with all respect to my commanding officer, I believe such conference as now proposed with the hostile Indians yonder, at this late day, to be perfectly useless, and that every hour's delay since the receipt of orders to evacuate the post has only tended to increase our danger and lessen our hope of escape.