The National tribune., 1900-11-08

CE, SIR, AND BUTTON IT Up"
edly from its appearance from Pittsburg
to the Falls City" The hills through
which the broad, placid, silvery current
winds its way in long, graceful undula
tons, are true mountains at Pittsburg, but
they gradually sink in hight, and become
less abrupt in profile, until below Cincin
natl they begin to fall away into the bill
prairies and Kentucky bottoms" along
the Mississippi The river broadens tC
lake-like expansiveness, and its current i:
too gentle to disturb the mirror-likt
smOothness of its surface.
1t was the first time that most Of ths
detachment had ever ridden on a steam
boat, and probably none of them, except
Shorty, had ever gone so great a distance
on such vessel. All settled down to full
enjoyment Of the trip, except Maj. Crewet
and Col. Bonesteel.
The Major locked himself up in the
state-room, whittier he had removed his
possessions, ate his heart out in bitterness
against Engineers generally, and against
Col Bonesteel in particular, and meditat-
ed schemes of revenge. Had he not been
taken completely by surprise by Col. Bone
steeFs coming aboard at the last moment
and ordering the boat away he would not
have been caught so. He would have Sc
cured an order relieving him from the boat
| if he had supposed that he was not to re-
main in command. Now that they had
passed Louisville he could not come into
communication with Washington until
they reached Paducah, and only then if
the boat should stop some hours to give
| time for the exchange of messages. He
would remain in seclusion until then.
On the other hand, in all his long years
of service, Col. Bonesteel had really never
had an actual command of the Importance
of that to which he had accidentally ac-
ceded. He had nearly always been bu-
reau man, an Inspector of drawings, revis-
er of computations, digester of reports,
maker of official papers, and naturally
became theorist and a stickler as to
how things should be done, and not a doer
of things himself. The importance of his
command grew upon him as the boat sped
along over the smooth water. Here he
had under him, including Crewet's detach-
ment, 125 good men, a great quantity of
important supplies, and a swift, stanch
| steamboat. 1t was command quite
worthy Of even a Colonel of Engineers. 1t
was a command that it behooved him to
exercise in a way that would be a pattern
to other men of lesser attainments, and
| thereby bring him credit in the army. He
would illustrate his favorite ideas on the
subject, to the general advancement of
Lie llltulLdleu edStEly
over these things in the spacious accom-
modations of the Bridal Chamber" and
began the formulation of routine of mar
velous cor Ilexity and iron exactness and
rigidity. Inasmuch as he was upon the
water, he would combine what he knew of
naval discipline with that he fancied
should be the rule in the army.
Having many more than a company of
men," he ruminated, Il can properly con-
stitute battalion, which, with the mo-
tive power of the boat, and her valuable
stores, will make a fitting command for
Colonel. Lieut.. Graham shall be my Ex-
ecutive Officer, this Indiana Sergeant,
who seems to be an intelligent, sensible
soldier, shall command the right company,
the Ohio Sergeant, who is with Crewet,
shall command the left company, and my
Orderly, who seems to be a model sol
dier, shall be my Adjutant. Maj. Crewet,
if he behaves himself, and accepts the sit
uation, shall be the second in command
If he does not l shall put him in arrest.
I'd rather he would do something to war
rant that. 1t would greatly simplify the
situation. Now, L must arrange the rou-
tine of duties-no, [ shall leave my Execu-
tive Officer to do that, subject to my ap-
proyal-and the hours for meals, etc. As
the commander of the vessel | shall take
my meals alone, in the ladies' cabin, and
dine in the center cabin. Maj. Crewet
and Lieut.. Graham shall constitute a
mess. By rights the Captains of the right
and left companies should be in the mess,
but as they are only non-commssioned
officers l shall have to constitute a nom
commissioned officers mess for the smok-
ing-cabin, forward. Heavens, what's the
meaning of that disturbance? Orderly
Desire Lieut.. Graham to come to me i'm
mediately."
The disturbance had been caused by the
boats cook coming to the outside Of the
kitchen, pounding on the thin, resonant
boards with long iron spoon, and shout |
ing Grub pile" after the manner of |
steamboat cooks notifying the deck hands |
that their meal was ready. The hungry |
made noisy rush in response. |
Shad Graham explained this to the |
Colonel, when he obeyed his summons.
Exceedingly unmilitaryI DisreputabIe |
to the last degree" snorted the Colonel. |
Not to be tolerated for an instant on one
of the Governments vessels. Lieutenant. |
you will see that it is stopped, and the
meal calls properly beaten by the drum
mer."
But we have neither drummer nor
drum, Colonel"
''Then you will have them sounded by
the bugle."
Shameful, sir. Why did you allow the
boat to leave without these necessary ad-
junctsT
I'VE have not had any drums or bugles
in the Engineers, Colonel. and this is but
q detachment of men, without regular or
ganization, and so not provided with mu-
sicians." /;
''Too bad. Very well, then. You will