The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-03-09
CHAPTER III.

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CHAPTER III.
When returned it was carly spring.
B company had been shifted from the
fort to regular duty in canton
ments, tho roses were getting ready
to bud on the mall, and the
regiment, which had been mt a camp
of exercise, among other things was go
ing through it's spring musl1etry under
an adjutant who had notion that it's
shooting average was low. He had
stirred up the company officers, and
they had brought extra ammunition for
their men-the government allowance
was just sufficient to foul the rifling-
and e company, which counted many
marl1smen, was vaporing and Offering
to challenge all the other companies,
and the third-class shots were very sorry
that they had ever been born, and all
the subalterns were rich, ripe saddle
colur from sitting at the butts six or
eight hours day.
went off to the butts after break
fast very dull of curiosity to see how
the new draft had come forward.
Ouless was there with his men by the
bald hillocl1 that marks the six hun
drcd'yards range, and the men were in
gray-green khdki that shows the best
points of soldier and shades off into
every background he may stand against
Before / was in hearing distance !
could see as they sprawled on the dusty
grass, or stood up and shook themselves,
that they were men made over again
wearing their helmets with the cock of
sclf-possession, swinging easily and
jumping to the word of command
Coming nearer, heard Ouless whistle:
"BaUy hooley" between his teeth as he
looked down on the range with his
binoculars, and the back of Lieut..
Onlcss was the back OF free man and
an officer He nodded as 1 came up,
and l heard him fling an order to non
commissioned officer in sure and GER
tain voice. The flag ran up from the
target and Ortheris flung. himself down
on his stomach to put in his ten Shots
He winlScd at me over the breech block
as he settled himself, with the air of a
man who has to go through tricks for
the benefit of children.
watch you, men," said Ouless, to the
squad behind. ale is half your weight,
8rannigan, but he isn't afraid of his
rifle"
Ortheris had his little affectations
and pet ways, as the rest of us have He
weighed his rifle, gave it little kick
up, cuddlcd down again and fired across
the ground thatwas beginning to dance
in the sun heat.
'Miss!" said man behind.
TOO much bloomin' ground in 'front.'"
Ortheris muttered.
81 should give two feet for rcfrac-
tion," said Ouless.
Ortheris fred again, made his outer,
crept in, found the bull and stayed
there, the noncommissioned officer
priclling off the shots.
Cant make out 'ow I missed that
first" he said, rising and stepping back
to my side, as Lcaroyd took his place.
SIS it company practice?" 1 asked.
mo. Only just knocking about.
Ouless 'e's givin' ten rupees for second
class shots. I'm outer it, of course, but
come on to show 'em the proper style
o. dom things. Jock looks like a sea-
line at the Brighton aquarium, sprawl
In and crawiin' down there, don't e?
Gawd, what o butt this end of i'm
would make"
"B company has come up very WE'LL"
said.
"They 'ad to- They're none so dusty,
now, are they? Samuelson even g can
shoot sometimes. We're gettin' on rs
well as can be expected, thank YOU"
"llow do you get on with-'v
mn
wrong with i'm"
WAS it all settled then?"
'Asn't Terence told you? should
say 1t were. 'E's gentleman, e is"
Lets hear" said.
Ortheris twinkled all over, tucked his
rifle across his knee and repeated:
Els gentleman. 'E's an officer, too.
You saw all that mess in Fort Am
HssEe.. 1wssat bono O rsy fault, rs