The National tribune., 1900-11-08

"PUT ON YOUR COAT AT ON
The sight took away the Majors breath,
and he looked open-mouthed at the de-
pressing spectacle.
Maj. Crewet," said the Colonel, in his
most impressive tones, I'm astonished at
you, sir. It's strictly against the Regula-
tions, sir, for you to speak that way to q
non-commissioned officer before his men.
And to one of my men, too, sir. I'll not
| permit it, sir. Not for an instant, sir.
Where l command such things are not al
lowed. Nor any of this confounded con-
fusion and disorder. You are evidently not
used to the command of men, sir. Lieut..
Graham, take command of the deck there,
and get rid of that horrible disorder at
once. Is everything aboardp
A capacious wink appeared in Shad's
eye, directed at 81, Shorty and Jake Dye,
but they kept their faces like wood, while
the other men grinned openly.
| rs everything aboard, SergeantW de-
manded Shad, III severely official tones,
of 81.
Everything is aboard, sir" answered
81, stiffiy saluting Shad.
! Everything is aboard, SIR" commune
Gated Shad, turning and saluting the Colo
mel.
every good" answered the Colonel.
Cast off the lines at once, and give the
order to start. We have not moment to
lose. You can arrange matters while we
are under way. First thing, the boat is
horribly out of trim. Shows the lack of
an Engineers eye and education. (He said
this loud enough to make sure that the
Major would hear.) She can't possibly
make any speed in this shape, and may
wreck herself. Very dangerous, indeed, to
attempt to run her this way. Bring those
anchors back there forward, and shift
those heavy timbers from starboard to
port, and get her on an even keel"
''Serg't Klegg," commanded Shad, in a
voice Of official harshness, ''set 20 men to
work carrying those anchors forward on to
the forecastle. Set 20 more to shifting
those timbers to the other side. Set 20
more to pile up that small stuff neatly.
Find some brooms, and sweep the decks
from the hurricane down."
VERY good, sir" said 81, seluting.
every good men, those of yours, Lieu
tenant" said the Colonel, noting the alac-
rity with which they set about their tasks.
VERY competent and willing. Not the
men to be banged about and abused by
every inexperienced bureaucrat that hap
pens to come along"
This last was apparently soto voce, but
quite loud enough for the Major to hear.
Orderly" continued the Colonel, sharp
Eyes, SIR" said Shorty, saluting.
"Have my things taken up to the large
state-roOm on the larboard side, further
end, that they call the bridal chamber, and
put in there. Have julius arrange the
room for me, dusting it out, putting fresh
sheets on the bed, plenty of fresh towels,
and so on"
This reused the Major to the first speech
since the Colonel had come aboard. "E1-
cuse me, Colonel" he said, with icy
hauteur, but that is my room. l selected
it when first came aboard, and when the
boat was assigned to me-"
The Colonel adjusted his glasses, and
looked at the Major with stare that tried
to express astonishment that "a mere Ord
nance fellow" should presume to have
rights or privileges that conflicted with an
Engineers wishes. Major" he remarked
frostily, 'in the number OF things in the
Army Regulations which seem unfamiliar
to you, you seem to have specially over
looked that paragraph which gives the
commanding officer absolute right to the
best and most cOmmodious quarters, and
rather makes it obligatory upon him to oc-
cupy them. l recommend that you look
this matter up. | must have the quarters
have designated, and also those rooms
Immediately adjoining, for the accommoda-
ton of my staff, Lieut.. Graham, Serg't
Klegg and my Orderly here, with whom |
will promptly have removed any property
belonging to you to other rooms which you
may select toward the forward end of the |
cabin"
His back being toward the Colonel, Shad |
Graham was able to furnish S and Shorty |
with wink that approached 4 comical |
leer, but as they faced the Colonel they
had to maintain wooden immobility of |
countenance.
"But, Colonel" protested the Major, 81
certainly have some rights. l was special
ly assigned to this boat, or rather the boat
was assigned to me, and / was put in COM
mand of her for a special duty. L cannot
be displaced even by your ranking me-"
IF you will refer to the telegraphic or
der from the Secretary of War, a copy of
which was furnished you, you will discover
that the command of the boat and the ex-
petition was expressly given to the senior
officer, which l happen to be. You will
therefore proceed to carry out my instrue
tions."
You are making a wholly unwarranted
stretch of your authority, sir said the
Major, shaking with rage. las an Engi-
neer officer you are specially prohibited
from exercising command over troops"
Hump, fine argument that, for an Ord
nance fellow to make" snorted the Colo
nel "How dare you, who are only one
of the artificers-yes, sir, mere artifcers-
presume to exercise authority that you
claim is not given to the most highly-edu
Gated branch of the service? But this dis
cussion before the men is highly improper.
and that you must govern yourself accord
ingly." II.