ing them not to let him go, he was wild-like
again; it was drink; he had the horrors, and was batin' her while she
was tryin' to get him home. And Clancy's appearance bore out her words.
He was wild and drunken; but he swore he meant no harm; he struggled
hard for freedom; he vowed he only wanted to see the lieutenant at his
quarters; and Mr. Hayne, lamp in hand, had come upon the scene, and was
striving to quiet the woman, who only screamed and protested the louder.
At his quiet order the soldiers released Clancy, and the man stood
patient and subordinate.

"Did you want to see me, Clancy?" asked Mr. Hayne.

"Askin' yer pardon, sir, I did," began the man, unsteadily, and
evidently struggling with the fumes of the liquor he had been drinking;
but before he could speak again, Mrs. Clancy's shrieks rang out on the
still air:

"Oh, for the love of God, howld him, some o' ye's! He'll kill him! He's
mad, I say! Shure 'tis I that know him best. Oh, blessed Vargin, save
us! _Don't_ let him loose, Misther Foster!" she screamed to the officer
of the guard, who at that moment appeared on the full run.

"What's the trouble?" he asked, breathlessly.

"Clancy seems to have been drinking, and wants to talk with me about
something, Mr. Foster," said Hayne, quietly. "He belongs to my company,
and I will be responsible that he goes home. It is really Mrs. Clancy
that is making all the trouble."

"Oh, for the love of God, hear him, now, whin the man was tearin' the
hair o' me this minute! Oh, howld him, men! Shure 'tis Captain Rayner
wud niver let him go."

"What's the matter, Mrs. Clancy?" spoke a quick, stern voice, and
Rayner, with face white as a sheet, suddenly stood in their midst.

"Oh, God be praised, it's here ye are, captin! Shure it's Clancy, sir,
dhrunk, sir, and runnin' round the garrison, and batin' me, sir."

"Take him to the guard-house, Mr. Foster," was the stern, sudden order.
"Not a word, Clancy," as the man strove to speak. "Off with him; and if
he gives you any trouble, send for me."

And as the poor fellow was led away, silence fell upon the group. Mrs.
Clancy began a wail of mingled relief and misery, which the captain
ordered her to cease and go home. More men came hurrying to the spot,
and presently the officer of the day. "It is all right now," said Rayner
to the latter. "One of my men--Clancy--was out here drunk and raising a
row. I have sent him to the guard-house. Go back to your quarters, men.
Co