In fact, sir, it required a hearty shake to
awaken him."
"After ninety-six hours' loss of sleep, I should not wonder."
"I know nothing about that, sir. I only know that Colonel Le Noir
and myself found him fast asleep on his post. He was immediately
arrested."
"Where is he now?" inquired Herbert.
"In one of the Colonel's extra tents, under guard," replied the
officer.
Herbert immediately went to the tent in question, where he found two
sentinels, with loaded muskets, on duty before the door. They
grounded arms on the approach of their superior officer.
"Is Private Traverse Rocke confined within there?" he inquired.
"Yes, sir,"
"I must pass in to see him."
"I beg your pardon, sir, but our orders are strict, not even to
admit an officer, without a written order from our Colonel," said
the sentinel.
"Where is the Colonel?"
"In his tent, sir."
Herbert immediately went on to the fine marquee occupied by Colonel
Le Noir.
The sentinel on duty there at once admitted him, and he passed on
into the presence of the Colonel.
He saluted his superior officer with cold military etiquette, and
said:
"I have come, sir, to ask of you an order to see Private Traverse
Rocke, confined under the charge of sleeping on his post."
"I regret to say, Major Greyson, that it cannot be done," replied Le
Noir, with ironical politeness.
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