He Demonstrates the Uses of Discipline
man whom O'Rourke entirely failed to recognize at first glance. Presently he placed him. Danny, but Danny well-nigh disintegrated—a Danny clothed in rags and tatters, with two black eyes and a face swollen and misshapen from cuts and bruises. One of his arms hung in a sling; the other he raised to salute.
"Yer honor!" he responded, out of one side of his mouth.
"Be silent!" cried O'Rourke. He walked down the line, sternly examining each man as he passed. They remained stiffly at attention, eyes to the front—soldiers all in the presence of their commander.
O'Rourke returned to the center of the line.
"Danny," he inquired, "how did this come about?"
"Yer honor—faith! Gineral O'Rourke, I mane—'tis the forchunes av war-r, sor. Wan av the prisoners had a wad av money, sor, an' wid this an' wid that trick 'twas himself that conthrived to get liquor smuggled into th' place ivery noight. As i'r meself, sor, I've been thryin' to lick thim into shape for yez. Some av them I've licked twice over, but it does no good, sor."
"That will do. Who is this wealthy volunteer?"
There was a moment's silence, a hesitation; then slowly a man slouched forward, saluting carelessly. O'Rourke watched him like a cat, his brows contracting.
"Your name?" he asked sharply.
"Soly," responded the fellow insolently.
O'Rourke took thought.
"If I mistake not," he said, "ye came to me in Marseilles with a letter of recommendation from Monsieur le Prince de Grandlieu."
"Monsieur is correct in his surmise."
"Where did ye serve last?"
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