The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1916-11-09
ferguson's
StratageIl|l
It Was Intended to Cap
ture a Post of WO=
f. men Soldiers.
By OSCAR COX

close, and Jim Hathaway concluded
to have one more cruise before putting
the Eveline out of commission for the
winter. He collected such Of his men
friends as were able to get away-some
Of them took their vacations late-and
the party set sail we'll equipped for
breezy time.
The; had been out several days when
they came in sight of an island on the
summit Of which floated a United
States flag. Passing a man in a boat
fishing, they asked him if the flag mark
ed a government military post. They
were Informed that it did not. A num-
Der of young women who believed in
preparedness had leased the island for
a women's barracks and drill ground.
They had formed a company and were
drilling regularly.
This information interested the young
men greatly. After leaving the inform
ant Hathaway said:
"Boys, 1 can't think of any better
| way to train these girls in the art of
self defense than to attack the island.
The way to learn how to do thing is
t., do it. If they are obliged to defend
themselves against US they will know
how to take care Of themselves when
called upon to confront real enemy"
| "What are you going to fight 'em
with?" asked Bob Elliot.
! "Well, we have the little salute gun.
| We might fire stones over their heads
| with it" replied Hathaway,
''That wouldn't. scare them," said FL
liot. "One Of the principal parts in
war is strategy. Suppose we try it on"
| 1T is my opinion" said Luke Medge,
! the homeliest man of the party, that
any fellow who tries strategy with
woman will get beaten"
By this time they were within a few
| hundred yards Of the island and were
met by rowboat containing four girls
| in uniform, with cOXsWain, who told
them that only men in company with
women were allowed on the island ex-
cept officers Of the United States army
who were sent there to give instruc-
ton. Hathaway replied that their
party had no intention whatever Of in
truding upon the post and commended
the ladies highly for their patriotism.
Elliot, who had had marked success
with girls and always carried such
munitions Of war as he considered
especially. effective in his conQuests,
hurried below and returned with two
pound box of candy. The eyes Of the
oarsmen glistened at sight of it, but
| the coXsWain, who was in command Of
| the crew, cast contemptuOus glance
at Bob and ordered them to give way.
This produced a laugh on Bob, who
had proposed strategy, but he bore
the ridicule with equanimity
"There We're five girls in the boat
he said, 'and four of them were ready
to sell out for the sweets. The cox
swain had temporary advantage, but
there We're four to one to be tempted.
Well see who shall laugh last"
"How would it do" suggested Billy
Charnley, "for one Of us to personate
a United States officer sent to drill
the company?''
THAT would involve one man effect
ing an entrance" said Hathaway
land be would have to be unknown as
belonging to our party. If he got into
the barracks he might connive at the
rest of us following him. Is there a
man among us who knows anything
about military matters?'
A poll was taken, with the result
that not man had ever handled a
musket. Ferguson had been a mem
Der of crack cavalry troop, but had
always shirked drill. Besides, it was
not likely there were any horses on the
island. From all appearances the school,
was devoted to infantry training.
However, it was decided to sail fol
the mainland, where Ferguson, who
was to personate an army officer, pro,
cured in a secondhand store cap
ornamented with brass buttons. Hir-
ing single sticker without a jib, it
was manned by two Of the crew of
the Eveline who had not left their
berths when the patrol boat was met
and consequently they had not been
seen by the girls. These fellows pur.
chased canvas suits, the shirts having
blue collars, and when rugged out in
them would very we'll pass for navy
tars. Then the Nautilus-that was the
single stickers name-sailed for the is
land, followed by the Eveline
On nearing the island the Eveline
dropped farther astern, while the
Nautilus sailed on straight for the
dock, flying the stars and stripes from
the masthead, indicating so it was
hoped-that a government officer was
aboard. A sentry was walking past on
the dock, a girl with light hair and
blue eyes, little Of the hair being visi
ble,' since it was tucked away under
a military felt hat with large brim
ferguson sprang out Of the boat and
walking as if stiffened in his spine by
ramrod, he triangulated to the sentry
and asked where he would find the com.
mander of the post The sentry called
the corporal of the guard, which was
posted short distance away, and
when she came Ferguson asked to sec
the commanding officer, stating briefly