The Press., 1916-12-21
|Fergtlson's- Stratagen1
 It Was Intend ed to Cap-
 lure a Post of WO- men Soldiers.
By OSCAR COX


The yachting season was drawing to a close, and Jim Hathaway concluded tG 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 well equipped for a breezy ticA~.
 They had been out several days whom they came in sight of an island on the summit of which tloated United States flag, Passing man in a boat fishing, they asked him if the flag mark ed government military post They were informed that it did not A num- ber of young women who believed In preparedness had leased the island for 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 g:r.s in the art Of self defense than to attack the island. The way to learn how to do n thing is to do it. If they are obliged to defend themselves against CS they will know how to take care of themse!ves when called upon to confront il real enemy"
 What are you going to fight 'em with?" asked Bob Elliot.
 Well we have the little salute gun. ,t..f f,M Il $ 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. ''
 Ut is my opinion" said Luke Medge, the homeliest man of the party, that any fellow who tries strategy with 8 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 fin uniform, with a 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- tion. Hathaway replied that their party had no intention whatever of fn- truding upon the post and commenie 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 conguests. hurried below and returned with a two pound box of candy. The eyes of the oarsmen glistened at sight of 1t, but the coXswain, who was in command of at Bob and ordered them to give way. This produced q laugh on Bob, who had proposed strategy. but he bore the ridicule with equanimity.
 There were five girls in the boot he said, land 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 We'll see who shall laugh last"
 How would 1t do," suggested Bill,
 Charnley, "for one of us to personate United States officer sent to drill the company" That would involve one man effect ing an entrance" said Hathaway land he would have to be unknown as belonging to our party. If he got into the barracks he might conniye at the rest of us following him. Is there a
 man among us who knows anything
 about military matters?'
 < poll was taken, with the result
 that not man had ever handled a mnsket. Ferguson had been Il rem
 Der of crack cavalry troop. but had always shirked drill. Besides. it was | not likely there were any horses oii the island. From all appearances the school was devoted to infantry training. However, 1t was decided to sail fol the mainland, where Ferguson. wh was to personate an army officer. pro. cured in secondhand store cal | orEamented with brass buttons. Hir ing Il single sticker without jil, i. was manned by two of the crew oi the Eveline. who had not left their oerths when the patrol boat was met and consequently they had not Teen seen by the girls. These fellows bur. chased canvas suits. the shirts having blue collars. and when rigged out m
 them would very well pass for navy tars. Then the NautilIs-that was the fingle sticker's name-sailed for the is- land, followed by the Evcliiie
 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 1t was nopcd-that 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 yisi- ble. since it was tucked away under 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 ] pes.ed short distance away, and