Oxford Democrat., 1916-09-12

Ferguson's
Stratagenn
II Was Intended to Cap
ture q Post of W0-
men Soldiers.
By OSCAR cox

The yachting season was drawing Il
a close, and Jim Hathaway concluded
to have one more cruise before putting
the Eveline out Of commission for tht
winter. He collected such Of his mel
friends as were able to get away-somt
Of them took their vacations late-ant
the party set sail well equipped for 6
breezy time.
They had been out several days wher
they came in sight of an island on the
summit Of which foated a United
States flag. Passing a man In a boat
fishing. they asked him If the flag mark
ed government military post They
were Informed that 1t did not. A mum
ber Of young women who believed in
preparedness had leased the island fol
a women's barracks and drill ground
They had formed company and were
drilling regularly.
This information interested the young
men greatly. After leaving the inform.
ant Hathaway said:
Boys, I 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
to do It. II they are obliged to defend
themselves against us they will know
how to take care Of themselves when
called upon to confront q 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 Ell
lot. "One Of the principal parts in
war is strategy. Suppose we try 1t on. "
1T is my opinion" said Luke Medge,
the homeliest man Of the party, "that
any fellow who tries strategy with q
woman will get beaten"
BY this time they were within few
hundred yards Of the island and were
met by a rowboat containing four girls
in uniform, with q coxswain, who told
them that only men in company with
women were allowed on the island e1-
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 a contemptuous glance
at Bob and ordered them to give way.
This produced laugh on Bob, who
had proposed strategy. but he bore
the ridicule with equanimity.
"There were 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 were 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,
"and he 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 a man had ever handled a
musket. Ferguson had been a mem
Der Of crack cavalry troop, but had
always shirked drill. Besides, 1t 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 for
the mainland, where Ferguson, who
was to personate an army officer. pro-
cured In a secondhand store cap
ornamented with brass buttons. Hir-
ing a single sticker without q jib, 1t
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 well pass for navy
tars. Then the Nautilus-that was the
single sticker's name-sailed for tho Is
land, followed by the Eveline.
On nearing the island the Bveline
dropped farther astern, while the
Nautilus sailed on straight for the
dock, flying the stars and stripes from
the masthead, indicating-so 1t 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-
BILE, 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
Z 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 a short distance away, and
when she came Ferguson asked to see
the commanding officer, stating briefly
that he was on government business.
The corporal looked at his civilian ap-
parel especially the brass buttons on
his cap, then called the sergeant Of the
guard, who, aftee q brief Interview
conducted him to the house const1tut'
ing the barracks The commandant
was sitting in a 8 BY 8 room before q
table, ON which were papers. Ferguson
said:
IT received a telegram this morning
| from the department headquarters or
dering me to inspect this post and rem
der any information or assistance you
might need. J nm Lieutenant Charles
Ferguson Of the -th cavalry"
II am very glad to see you, heuten'
ant" replied the officer. "Had you an.
nounced your coming or even appeared
In Uniform you would have been re
ceived with military honors."
UNFORTUNATELY, was visiting
friend when received the order" 10
piled Ferguson, "and I never wear q
uniform except when on duty. Ny