My Troubles With Time by Benson Grayson Read Free Book Online Page B

had placed upon them. The spare parts I had brought with me did not include the necessary replacement parts, but with some effort I put in a jury-rigged series of circuits which I thought would probably give me a reasonable chance of success in having the time machine return homeward safely at reduced speed.
    I had just screwed the control panel back on when I felt a tap on my shoulder at turned around. A militia officer who had been one of my fellow diners on the previous night, saluted.
    “Colonel,” he said, in broken English, “I am Captain Picard. Colonel De Porte presents his compliments. He wishes you to return with me immediately. General Trochu has invited you to come to his headquarters.”
    I quickly considered climbing into the time machine and attempting to return to my own time before Picard could stop me. However, the captain was watching me carefully. By luck or design, he had placed himself between me and the time machine’s door. To make matters worse, he was a large man and I had little chance of overpowering him.
    Regretfully, I concluded that I had no choice but to comply with Picard’s request. As we left the shed, I barked an order to the sentry to lock the door and to make certain that no one entered until I returned. Looking back, I was pleased to see that he was complying with my command.
    With difficulty I managed to keep up with Picard. We reached Colonel De Porte’s headquarters. To my surprise, Picard halted rather than enter. An officer in a beautifully tailored uniform approached and saluted me.
    “Colonel Snodgrass,” said Picard, returning the salute, “May I present Colonel De Grasse of General Trochu’s staff.”
    “I am pleased to meet you, Colonel,” I said in French, returning his salute.
    “The pleasure is all mine,” responded Colonel De Grasse in excellent English.
    My surprise must have been apparent on my face. “I traveled to your country in l864,” he said with a smile, “During your lamented civil war, and had the opportunity to observe the operations of the Army of the Potomac. I have worked to maintain the fluency in your language that I acquired during my stay in America.”
    “Shall we go?” he said, directing my attention to two saddled horses whose reins were being held by a militiaman. “Colonel De Porte has kindly offered to lend you one of his horses.”
    De Grasse pointed to a large black horse, who was giving every indication of anger at being restrained. My heart sank. I had never ridden a horse in my life and had no idea of how to mount the beast, let alone induce it to take me where I wanted to go.
    Before I could voice my concern, De Grasse strode to a white horse contentedly standing next to the black one, put his foot into the stirrup and swung easily into the saddle. He turned to look at me and seemed perplexed that I was still on foot.
    “I’ll need to some assistance,” I said, thinking hurriedly. “The damned injury to my leg that I suffered during the war has made it difficult for me to ride.”
    De Grasse looked down at me sympathetically. I was thinking about suggesting that I be provided with a carriage for the journey when I felt myself picked up bodily and placed on the horse. Greatly embarrassed, I looked down and saw that two husky militiamen were responsible.
    “Thank you,” I said, trying to summon up as much dignity as possible under the circumstances. The reins were thrust into my unwilling hand. The hilt of my sword dug into my side. Before I could say anything more, De Grasse said, “Let us be off.”
    I could think of no alternative but to comply. Fortunately, my horse seemed disposed to obey my desperate efforts to control him. I clung to the saddle, desperately hoping I would not be thrown off, as my horse increased his gait to catch up with De Grasse’s steed.
    “While I was in your country,” De Grasse said to me, “I had the pleasure of spending some time with the Army of the Potomac at the headquarters of