The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-02-15

8" CLOSE pan
" Make ready :
Take aim !
g Fire 7
"'Cease firing
Garry arms !
"'Well done, comrades, said I, in a
corgratulatory voice to my imaginary
squadron. You do remarkably well for
men who have seen so little service
Then bracing myself against the log l
called out
""'A Attention, company
BY the right wheel !
g Forward March 7
''Then | began to initiate the tramp of
soldiers, hep, hep, hep. Closer order
there, men, closer order Close up the
rear rank Steady men, steady Halt,
comrades 7 said l, taking step forward.
You must learn to keep step. Keep
your eyes front and follow your guides
and hold your muskets in position. This
will prevent SO much confusion.
g Forward, march Hep, hep, hep,
hep.
Halt 7
- Stack aims !!
u Break ranks
% Comrades, cried I, in voice trem-
bling with enthusiasm, it affords me pleas
ure to compliment you upon your prof
cheney and the care and attention which
you have given to these tactics, which are
taken from the methods and usages of the
greatest commanders of the age. | feel
that | can rely upon each and every one
of you to do his full duty toward his COM
mander and his country when occasion
offers. [ feel from your gallant and
soldierly bearing and exemplary conduct
today that your bosoms are inspired with
that patriotic devotion to home and country
which are the handspring of every SOL
dierly virtue. In the fash of your eyes
and the bearing of your manly forms | be-
hold that pride of patriotism which should
animate our country's defenders, and |
know that, should any foe invade our
country and attempt any usurpation of our
liberties, you would spring to arms and
march in the defense of your country and
your fresides to death or glorious victory.
Z" "'Captain Mills, said |, initiating the
suppositious voice of my first lieutenant,
I'VE have listened with the profoundest
pleasure to your words of kindly commen-
dation, which we trust we shall merit in
our future conduct. We hope to do full
Justice to all your expectations, and in the
days to come instead of Captain Mills we
hope to hail you as Major General Mills,
commanding the Georgia militia.
Lieutenant, said 1 in trembling
voice, as if too much overcome for utterance
and drawing my bandanna handkerchief
from my hat, Il cannot express the feel
ings of deep qualification which your words
have inspired in my heart. | only hope
that our relations may be always as pleasant
as they have been on this occasion of our
first meeting as commander and faithful
followers. 1t is now with feelings of the
deepest interest in your future welfare that
l bid you goodby.
I" Captain Mills, said I, again imitat-
ing the lieutenant, we all join in returning to
you our most hearty good wishes, Com
rades, three cheers and tiger for Captain
Mills Of the Lost Mountain Volunteers.
q Hip -hip-hoo-ra-yp
s'When the echoes of that cheer had
died away, I pulled off my military coat
and sash, carefully wrapped them up and
placed them in my saddlebags along with a
copy of Scott tactics, and donning my
everyday overcoat started to mount my
horse. had one foot in the stirrup when
I heard little rustling in the foliage of
the fallen tree.
Turning around, l stood face to face
with the tallest mountaineer that | ever
laid eyes upon He rose slowly out of the
crotch of the tree, and it seemed to me
that he grew taller and taller as he straight
ened himself. He was red whiskered,
red faced and cross eyed, and his flaming
hair fell in wild profusion from under his
coonskin cap. In his hand he held one Of
the old fashioned squirrel puncher rifles
that glistened in the sun as he fixed me
with his stern and baleful gaze.
'Well, said he, catching a deep
breath, Il We seen fools, I've read Of fools,
I've heard of fools, but of all the fools that
ever saw you are the infernalest
s.By that time I had recovered my
composure to some extent, and reaching
in my pocket l pulled out s2A gold piece,
the only money had.
a. Look here, my friend, l don t sup
pose that you feel any particular interest
in telling about this thing You just take
this and say no more about it.
{" Well, said he, signing regretfully,
'as 1 am not in the fool killing business 1
reckon I'll take you up. But feel that
| am missing mighty fine opportunity.
''I mounted my horse and rode of, and
that cross eyed mountaineer kept his word
But never in all my experience have | had
such close shave as l did on the occasion
of my first drill. .
ssIf you could coin all the silver in your
hair, how rich an old man you would be 7
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