The National tribune., 1903-07-16

here to carry sick men. and I'll not do it.
And I'm not going back this evening. 1
only got in this morning, and | can't get
away so soon
Billings never went any place without
ulteriOr views as to making something
before he left it. He felt sure that there
We're hig opportunities for underhand
gains in the busy town of Goldsboro. and
did not propose TO leave until he had ex-
plotted some of them.
The Surgeon was an admirable excel
tive. He had been long enough in the
army to be thoroughly military, and when
he started to do something the trif1iDg OBJ
stacle Of some subordnate's disinclination
or opposition counted for little with m.
He was going to obey the orders he had
received. and have his contingent on board
and awav before nightfail made passage
down the river dangerous. He therefore
wasted 10 time in discussion. but brought
matters to sharp conclusion.
Col. Billings he said with the quiet
firmness of superior officer who was
sure of his ground, Il diG not come here
to discuss this matter with you but to
give you orders, which you will proceed
to execute. You will at once get ready
to receive such sick men and their attend
ants as l send to you: you will have this
cabin cleaned up and put in order for
some ladies who are among the attendants.
and you will be in readiness to sail at not
later than D o'clock this evening. Here
is the written order to YOU
But this is not Il hospital ship. III
not
Il haven't time to listen to your pro
tests said the Surgeon. calmly waving
him off. Nor have sou time to waste in
making them. You need all that you have
to get ready. You will sail at O'Clock
with such people as l send to you. and
make all speed for Washington. You can
put in the time on the river writing out
your protests and objections. ready for
transmission to the prone headquarters
when YOU arrive in Washington. Get
ready Mt once, sir, to do your duty. Good
day. for the present. | shall be down
being carried out. If you will inquire
about me. yon will find that have an
unbroken habit of being Obeyed"
BilliDgs's face became livid with rage
to which the Surgeon paid no more atten-
ton than to the water curling in the river
under the gentle Spring breeze. and
mounting his horse. he and the Deacon
returned to the hospital to begin the trans
fer of the patients to the Fernando Wood.
The Deacon was di: ected to lead the
advance squad with all the laborers
around the hospital, to put the ship in as
good order as possible for the reception.
Resumins her working clothes. Mrs. Klegg
took down an ambulance load of the
nesresses to sweep out. dust. and other
wise get ready the state-roOms for herself
family, and DIR. Brookes and wife. while
the Deacon led the men in an attack upon
the dirt on the decks.
Billings had sense enough TO recognize
the inevitable. and went out to assemble
Il crew and prepare for sailing according
to orders.
Hammocks were slung between decks
,h.n 10 - 4
of them. blanket pallets were spread on
the decks for those who could not. and
81 and Shorty, by virtue of their rank, re-
ceived one of the dingy state-rooms.
Great Jehosephat, Billings here" said
Shorty to 81. rs they recognized their old
officer "What brings him here?"
They've probably run him out Of In
iianny, and he's come where he amt
known. to get job," answered 81.
'Well, he's never up to any good, wher-
ever he may be. He'll bear close watch
ing. He didn't seem to know us, as we
came aboard, and l hope he didn't. He
was scowling. though, bad enough to addle
eggs. He'd have it in for us as big as
meeting house if he recognized us"
He can have it in for me all he wants
to-" answered ST serenely. "He amt
Lieutenant Colonel no longer and it'll pay
him to let US severely alone. We amt as
green now as when he used to bullyrag
u.s."
"All the same, I'm going to keep my
weather eye on him all the time I'm
awake, and both eyes when I'm asleep.
What's still better, I'll put Pete and
Sandy on to him in way that he won't
be able to so much as take chew of
tobacco without those youngsters seeing
it."
The boys had come into the regiment
after Billings had left it, and calling them
up to him Shorty gave them brief but
lurid account of the man who had com
mand OF the transport. They were to
keep close track of him, without appear
ing to do so, and report from time to
time.
81 have been noticing him ever since
we came aboard, don't know why" said
Pete. "Just for instance, l suppose. I've
been watching him tinkering about one
Of the boats-that one on the left flank
and rear. He was looking particularly at
its rigging and ropes, as II making sure
that they'd run easy"
"Yes," put in Sandy. "I noticed him at
that, too. and wondered why he should
be looking ut that particular one.
All its blocks and sheaves have been