peace manoeuvres-第1章

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Peace　Manoeuvres

by　Richard　Harding　Davis





The　scout　stood　where　three　roads　cut　three　green　tunnels　in　the
pine　woods；　and　met　at　his　feet。　　Above　his　head　an　aged　sign…post
pointed　impartially　to　East　Carver；　South　Carver；　and　Carver
Centre；　and　left　the　choice　to　him。

The　scout　scowled　and　bit　nervously　at　his　gauntlet。　　The　choice
was　difficult；　and　there　was　no　one　with　whom　he　could　take
counsel。　　The　three　sun…shot　roads　lay　empty；　and　the　other　scouts；
who；　with　him；　had　left　the　main　column　at　sunrise；　he　had　ordered
back。　　They　were　to　report　that　on　the　right　flank；　so　far；　at
least；　as　Middleboro；　there　was　no　sign　of　the　enemy。　　What　lay
beyond；　it　now　was　his　duty　to　discover。　　The　three　empty　roads
spread　before　him　like　a　picture　puzzle；　smiling　at　his
predicament。　　Whichever　one　he　followed　left　two　unguarded。　　Should
he　creep　upon　for　choice　Carver　Centre；　the　enemy；　masked　by　a　mile
of　fir　trees；　might　advance　from　Carver　or　South　Carver；　and
obviously　he　could　not　follow　three　roads　at　the　same　time。　　He
considered　the　better　strategy　would　be　to　wait　where　he　was；　where
the　three　roads　met；　and　allow　the　enemy　himself　to　disclose　his
position。　　To　the　scout　this　course　was　most　distasteful。　　He
assured　himself　that　this　was　so　because；　while　it　were　the　safer
course；　it　wasted　time　and　lacked　initiative。　　But　in　his　heart　he
knew　that　was　not　the　reason；　and　to　his　heart　his　head　answered
that　when　one's　country　is　at　war；　when　fields　and　fire…sides　are
trampled　by　the　iron　heels　of　the　invader；　a　scout　should　act　not
according　to　the　dictates　of　his　heart；　but　in　the　service　of　his
native　land。　　In　the　case　of　this　particular　patriot；　the　man　and
scout　were　at　odds。　　As　one　of　the　Bicycle　Squad　of　the　Boston
Corps　of　Cadets；　the　scout　knew　what；　at　this　momentous　crisis　in
her　history；　the　commonwealth　of　Massachusetts　demanded　of　him。　　It
was　that　he　sit　tight　and　wait　for　the　hated　foreigners　from　New
York　City；　New　Jersey；　and　Connecticut　to　show　themselves。　　But　the
man　knew；　and　had　known　for　several　years；　that　on　the　road　to
Carver　was　the　summer　home　of　one　Beatrice　Farrar。　　As　Private
Lathrop　it　was　no　part　of　his　duty　to　know　that。　　As　a　man　and　a
lover；　and　a　rejected　lover　at　that；　he　could　not　think　of　anything
else。　　Struggling　between　love　and　duty　the　scout　basely　decided　to
leave　the　momentous　question　to　chance。　　In　the　front　tire　of　his
bicycle　was　a　puncture；　temporarily　effaced　by　a　plug。　　Laying　the
bicycle　on　the　ground；　Lathrop　spun　the　front　wheel　swiftly。

〃If；〃　he　decided；　〃the　wheel　stops　with　the　puncture　pointing　at
Carver　Centre；　I'll　advance　upon　Carver　Centre。　　Should　it　point　to
either　of　the　two　other　villages；　I'll　stop　here。

〃It's　a　two　to　one　shot　against　me；　any　way；〃　he　growled。

Kneeling　in　the　road　he　spun　the　wheel；　and　as　intently　as　at　Monte
Carlo　and　Palm　Beach　he　had　waited　for　other　wheels　to　determine
his　fortune；　he　watched　it　come　to　rest。　　It　stopped　with　the　plug
pointing　back　to　Middleboro。

The　scout　told　himself　he　was　entitled　to　another　trial。　　Again　he
spun　the　wheel。　　Again　the　spokes　flashed　in　the　sun。　　Again　the
puncture　rested　on　the　road　to　Middleboro。

〃If　it　does　that　once　more；〃　thought　the　scout；　〃it's　a　warning
that　there　is　trouble　ahead　for　me　at　Carver；　and　all　the　little
Carvers。〃

For　the　third　time　the　wheel　flashed；　but　as　he　waited　for　the
impetus　to　die；　the　sound　of　galloping　hoofs　broke　sharply　on　the
silence。　　The　scout　threw　himself　and　his　bicycle　over　the　nearest
stone　wall；　and；　unlimbering　his　rifle；　pointed　it　down　the　road。

He　saw　approaching　a　small　boy；　in　a　white　apron；　seated　in　a　white
wagon；　on　which　was　painted；　〃Pies　and　Pastry。　　East　Wareham。〃　　The
boy　dragged　his　horse　to　an　abrupt　halt。

〃Don't　point　that　at　me！〃　shouted　the　boy。

〃Where　do　you　come　from？〃　demanded　the　scout。

〃Wareham；〃　said　the　baker。

〃Are　you　carrying　any　one　concealed　in　that　wagon？〃

As　though　to　make　sure　the　baker's　boy　glanced　apprehensively　into
the　depths　of　his　cart；　and　then　answered　that　in　the　wagon　he
carried　nothing　but　fresh…baked　bread。　　To　the　trained　nostrils　of
the　scout　this　already　was　evident。　　Before　sunrise　he　had
breakfasted　on　hard　tack　and　muddy　coffee；　and　the　odor　of　crullers
and　mince　pie；　still　warm；　assailed　him　cruelly。　　He　assumed　a
fierce　and　terrible　aspect。

〃Where　are　you　going？〃　he　challenged。

〃To　Carver　Centre；〃　said　the　boy。

To　chance　Lathrop　had　left　the　decision。　　He　believed　the　fates　had
answered。

Dragging　his　bicycle　over　the　stone　wall；　he　fell　into　the　road。

〃Go　on；〃　he　commanded。　　〃I'll　use　your　cart　for　a　screen。　　I'll
creep　behind　the　enemy　before　he　sees　me。〃

The　baker's　boy　frowned　unhappily。

〃But　supposing；〃　he　argued；　〃they　see　you　first；　will　they　shoot？〃

The　scout　waved　his　hand　carelessly。

〃Of　course；〃　he　cried。

〃Then；〃　said　the　baker；　〃my　horse　will　run　away！〃

〃What　of　it？〃　demanded　the　scout。　　〃Are　Middleboro；　South
Middleboro；　Rock；　Brockton；　and　Boston　to　fall？　　Are　they　to　be
captured　because　you're　afraid　of　your　own　horse？　　They　won't　shoot
REAL　bullets！　　This　is　not　a　real　war。　　Don't　you　know　that？〃

The　baker's　boy　flushed　with　indignation。

〃Sure；　I　know　that；〃　he　protested；　〃but　my　horseHE　don't　know
that！〃

Lathrop　slung　his　rifle　over　his　shoulder　and　his　leg　over　his
bicycle。

〃If　the　Reds　catch　you；〃　he　warned；　in　parting；　〃they'll　take
everything　you've　got。〃

〃The　Blues　have　took　most　of　it　already；〃　wailed　the　boy。　　〃And
just　as　they　were　paying　me　the　battle　begun；　and　this　horse　run
away；　and　I　couldn't　get　him　to　come　back　for　my　money。〃

〃War；〃　exclaimed　Lathrop　morosely；　〃is　always　cruel　to　the
innocent。〃　　He　sped　toward　Carver　Centre。　　In　his　motor　car；　he　had
travelled　the　road　many　times；　and　as　always　his　goal　had　been　the
home　of　Miss　Beatrice　Farrar；　he　had　covered　it　at　a　speed
unrecognized　by　law。　　But　now　he　advanced　with　stealth　and　caution。
In　every　clump　of　bushes　he　saw　an　ambush。　　Behind　each　rock　he
beheld　the　enemy。

In　a　clearing　was　a　group　of　Portuguese　cranberry　pickers；　dressed
as　though　for　a　holiday。　　When　they　saw　the　man　in　uniform；　one　of
the　women　hailed　him　anxiously。

〃Is　the　parade　coming？〃　she　called。

〃Have　you　seen　any　of　the　Reds？〃　Lathrop　returned。

〃No；〃　complained　the　woman。　　〃And　we　been　waiting　all　morning。
When　will　the　parade　come？〃

〃It's　not　a　parade；〃　said　Lathrop；　severely。　　〃It's　a　war！〃

The　summer　home　of　Miss　Farrar　stood　close　to　the　road。　　It　had
been　so　placed　by　the　farmer　who　built　it；　in　order　that　the　women
folk　might　sit　at　the　window　and　watch　the　passing　of　the　stage…
coach　and　the　peddler。　　Great　elms　hung　over　it；　and　a　white　fence
separated　the　road　from　the　narrow　lawn。　　At　a　distance　of　a
hundred　yards　a　turn　brought　the　house　into　view；　and　at　this　turn；
as　had　been　his　manoeuvre　at　every　other　possible　ambush；　Lathrop
dismounted　and　advanced　on　foot。　　Up　to　this　moment　the　road　had
been　empty；　but　now；　in　front　of　the　Farrar　cottage；　it　was　blocked
by　a　touring…car　and　a　station　wagon。　　In　the　occupants　of　the　car
he　recognized　all　the　members　of　the　Farrar　family；　except　Miss
Farrar。　　In　the　station　wagon　were　all　of　the　Farrar　servants。
Miss　Farrar　herself　was　leaning　upon　the　gate　and　waving　them　a
farewell。　　The　touring…car　moved　off　down　the　road；　the　station
wagon　followed；　Miss　Farrar　was　alone。　　Lathrop　scorched　toward
her；　and　when　he　was　opposite　the　gate；　dug　his　toes　in　the　dust
and　halted。　　When　he　lifted　his　broad…brimmed　campaign　hat；　Miss
Farrar　exclaimed　both　with　surprise　and　displeasure。　　Drawing　back
from　the　gate　she　held　herself　erect。　　Her　attitude　was　that　of　one
prepared　for　instant　retreat。　　When　she　spoke　it　was　in　tones　of
extreme　disapproval。

〃You　promised；〃　said　the　girl；　〃you　would　not　come　to　see　me。〃

Lathrop；　straddling　his　bicycle；　peered　anxiously　down　the　road。

〃This　is　not　a　social　call；〃　he　said。　　〃I'm　on　duty。　　Have　you　seen
the　Reds？〃

His　tone　was　brisk　and　alert；　his　manner　preoccupied。　　The
ungraciousness　of　his　reception　did　not　seem　in　the　least　to
disconcert　him。

But　Miss　Farrar　was　not　deceived。　　She　knew　him；　not　only　as　a
persistent　and　irrepressible　lover；　but　as　one　full　of　guile；
adroit　in　tricks；　fertile　in　expedients。　　He　was　one　who　could　not
take　〃No〃　for　an　answerat　least　not　from　her。　　When　she　repulsed
him　she　seemed　to　grow　in　his　eyes　only　the　more　attractive。

〃It　is　not　the　lover　who　comes　to　woo；〃　he　was　constantly
explaining；　〃but　the　lover's　WAY　of　wooing。〃

Miss　Farrar　had　assured　him　she　did　not　like　his　way。　　She　objected
to　being　regarded　and　treated　as　a　castle　that　could　be　taken　only
by　assault。　　Whether　she　wished　time　to　consider；　or　whether　he　and
his　proposal　were　really　obnoxious　to　her；　he　could　not　find　out。
His　policy　of　campaign　was　that　she；　also；　should　not　have　time　to
find　out。　　Again　and　again　she　had　agreed　to　see　him　only　on　the
condition　that　he　would　not　make　love　to　her。　　He　had　promised
again　and　again；　and　had　failed　to　keep　that　promise。　　Only　a　week
before　he　had　been　banished　from　her　presence；　to　remain　an　exile
until　she　gave　him　permission　to　see　her　at　her　home　in　New　York。
It　was　not　her　purpose　to　return　there　for　two　weeks；　and　yet　here
he　was；　a　beggar　at　her　gate。　　It　might　be　that　he　was　there；　as　he
said；　〃on　duty；〃　but　her　knowledge　of　him　and　of　the　doctrine　of
chances　caused　her　to　doubt　it。

〃Mr。　Lathrop！〃　she　began；　severely。

As　though　to　see　to　whom　she　had　spoken　Lathrop　glanced　anxiously
over　his　shoulder。　　Apparently　pained　and　surprised　to　find　that　it
was　to　him　she　had　addressed　herself；　he　regarded　her　with　deep
reproach。　　His　eyes　were　very　beautiful。　　It　was　a　fact　which　had
often　caused　Miss　Farrar　extreme　annoyance。

He　shook　his　head　sadly。

〃'Mr。　Lathrop？'〃　he　protested。　　〃You　know　that　to　you　I　am　always
'CharlesCharles　the　Bold；'　because　I　am　bold　to　love　you；　but
never　'Mr。　Lathrop；'　unless；〃　he　went　on　briskly；　〃you　are
referring　to　a　future　state；　when；　as　Mrs。　Lathrop；　you　will　make
me〃

Miss　Farrar　had　turned　her　back　on　him；　and　was　walking　rapidly　up
the　path。

〃Beatrice；〃　he　called。　　〃I　am　coming　after　you！〃

Miss　Farrar　instantly　returned　and　placed　both　hands　firmly　upon
the　gate。

〃I　cannot　understand　you！〃　she　said。　　〃Don't　you　see　that　when　you
act　as　you　do　now；　I　can't　even　respect　you？　　How　do　you　think　I
could　ever　care；　when　you　offend　me　so？　　You　jest　at　what　you
pretend　is　the　most　serious　thing　in　your　life。　　You　play　with　it
laugh　at　it！〃

The　young　man　interrupted　her　sharply。

〃It's　like　this；〃　he　said。　　〃When　I　am　with　you　I　am　so　happy　I
can't　be　serious。　　When　I　am　NOT　with　you；　it　is　SO　serious　that　I
am　utterly　and　completely　wretched。　　You　say　my　love　offends　you；
bores　you！　　I　am　sorry；　but　what；　in　heaven's　name；　do　you　think
your　NOT　loving　me　is　doing　to　ME？　　I　am　a　wreck！　　I　am　a　skeleton！
Look　at　me！〃

He　let　his　bicycle　fall；　and　stood　with　his　hands　open　at　his
sides；　as　though　inviting　her　to　gaze　upon　the　ruin　she　had　caused。

Four　days　of　sun　and　rain；　astride　of　a　b