"Send for the corporal of the guard, or either of the lieutenants," I
suggested, thinking that that might be the shortest way to get over the
difficulty.
"Hain't got nobody to send," came the gruff voice of Quackenboss from
out the darkness.
"I'll go!" promptly answered Garey--the big trapper thinking, in his
innocence, there could be no reason why _he_ should not carry the
message to quarters--and as he spoke, he made a step or two forward in
the direction of the sentinel.
"Halt there!" thundered the voice of Quackenboss; "halt! another step,
and I'll plug you with a bullet."
"What's thet? plug, he sez?" screamed Rube, leaping to the front.
"Geezus Geehosophat! yu'll plug 'im, eh? Yur durned mulehead, if 'ee
shoot this way, it 'll be the last time yu'll ever lay claw to a
trigger. Now then!" and Rube stood with his rifle half raised to the
level, and threatening to raise it still higher.
At that moment, the lightning gleamed; I saw the sentry with _his_ piece
also at a level.