A Roland For An Oliver,

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 431, 25 December 1889, Page 6

A Roland For An Oliver,

[By ,T. T. Johns.]

Is 1864, afc the close of the Waikalo war, the troops were quartered at Te Awamutu, and the officers of the various corps used to spend the evenings in a building fitted as billiard, smoking and general news room. Among those who resorted thither were Lieutenant X , of the I—th1 — th Regiment, and a colonial officer — Captain Z , of the Transport Corp.i. The former prided himself on his noble ancestry, ups a {Treat bnxor. swordman, and markbman, and being the bully of the repiment, %vas nob in Ejreafc favour with his brother officers. As he had a honor of mixing with others of baser and meaner origin, he spe< dily conceivod a vio'ent dislike for the rough-and-ready colonial captain, whe, in his day, had been a noted stockman on an Australian cattle station, and had risen to his present position solely on his own merits. One evening the Captain, attired in rather muddy uniform, brushed care essly pabt the bullying and dandified Lieutenant, who, j deeming this a wanton insult, seized the j offender by the collar and instantly de1 manded satisfaction or an abject apology for such insolence. The Captain replied, ' Certainly. 1 presume, ad the challenged party, you will allow me choice of weapons, etc' ' Yes, only bequiok about it "Bui lock y," ' was the taunting reply. i * Ah ! very good then, I think I'll satisfy you early enough, Lieutenant X . We meet to-morrow morning at 8 (this wa«< near pamde time, when the whole ctmp turned out) on the parade ground, and we fight with stockwhips, at thi'ee puces, in our shirts. I fancy I enn give you every satisfaction. Major N hero will act on my behalf and will settle any further details with you or any friend you may appoint. I have the honour to wish you good-night, sir,' and he left the room, where the hectoring lieutenant —speechless with anger, astonishment, and mortification—stood before the prim old major, his own superior officer, by- the- way, who bore him no good will and who heartily enjoyed the situation. * Yes, you will have to meet him sir, Captain Z is an officer and a gentleman, and if you decline you know what constructions will be placed upon your conduct,' was all the comfort ho got from the unsympathising old veteran, in reply to his questions. Before 8 o'clock next morning the whole camp was astir — for the affuir had speedily gob wind and accompanied by Major N , the Captain, not exactly in hia ehirt, but very lightly clad, and carrying two enormous stockwhips under' hia arm, appeared ojj the parade ground. 4 Who are you waiting *or, Captain 7a7 a f quoth the' ad ju' ant. ' I await Lieutenant X , with whom I have a little appointment,' he replied, * bub he ia nob very punctual.' It was no use — the bully of the whole camp had collapsed— he could not even bo induced bo leave his room, did not appear

on parade, bub sent gome pue'ile excuse to the commanding" officer, whose'sides were convulse*! on reading it. The captain was amply avenged.