flowing beneath the window, and there, far in the
distance, you see the tall cedars of the opposite bank. On that little
table I laid my head the whole night long; I slept too, and soundly, and
when I awoke the next day I was a changed man.

"'You are relieved from arrest,' said the same sergeant who conducted me
to prison, 'and the colonel desires to see you on parade.'

"As I entered the square, the regiment was formed in line, and the
officers, as usual, stood in a group chatting together in the centre. A
half smile, quickly subdued as I came near, ran along the party.

"'O'Kelly,' said the colonel, 'I have sent for you to hear a reprimand
which it is fitting you should receive at the head of the regiment,
and which, from my knowledge of you, I have supposed would be the most
effectual punishment I could inflict for your late disrespectful conduct
to Captain Hubbart.'

"'May I ask, colonel, have you heard of the provocation which induced my
offence?'

"'I hope, sir/ replied he, with a look of stern dignity, 'you are
aware of the difference of your relative rank and station, and that, in
condescending to associate with you, Captain Hubbart conferred an honour
which doubly compensated for any liberty he was pleased to take. Read
the general order, Lieutenant Wood.'

"A confused murmur of something, from which I could collect nothing,
reached me; a vague feeling of weight seemed to press my head, and a
giddiness that made me reel, was on me; and I only knew the ceremony was
over, as I heard the order to march given, and saw the troops begin to
move off the ground.

"'A moment, colonel,' said, I, in a voice that made him start and drew
on me the look of all the others. 'I have too much respect for you, and
I hope also for myself, to attempt any explanation of a mere jest, where
the consequences have taken a serious turn; besides, I feel conscious of
one fault, far too grave a one, to venture on an excuse for any other I
have been guilty of. I wish to resign my post. I here leave the badge of
the only servitude I ever did, or ever intend to submit to; and now, as
a free man once more, and a gentleman, top, if you'll permit me, I beg
to wish you adieu: and as for you, captain, I have only to add,
that whenever you feel disposed for a practical joke, or any other
interchange of politeness, Con O'Kelly will be always delighted to meet
your views--the more so as he feels, though you may not believe it,
something stil