Part 8 (1/2)
”You already are one-that is you are a rookie, which is practically the same thing. We shall be jackies in twelve weeks if we have good luck.”
”I won't. I won't be here then.”
”Where will you be?”
”Back in Piedmont.”
”Look here, Sam Hickey, what do you propose to do?” demanded Dan.
”Go home; that's what I propose to do.”
”Do you know what would happen to you were you to do a thing like that?”
”Nothing very much, I guess.”
”Were you to leave now, you would be a deserter. You would be arrested and sent to prison. And that is not all.”
”Go on; what else?”
”You would be disgraced for life. Why do you even think of doing a thing like that?”
”Well, I reckoned I'd like to lick that Pennsylvania Dutchman and then go back home. They'd probably make a fuss about it here, if I give him what he deserves,” replied Sam slowly.
”I should say they would. Forget it. Do your duty. Have too much respect for the Flag under which you are serving, to disgrace it by doing any such foolish thing as you propose. There goes a bugle. It must be some sort of command for us.”
It was.
”Attention!” commanded the officer.
The men rose from their seats.
”Those whose names I call will fall in with bags and equipment and march to barracks A.”
He then called off the names of the apprentices who were to leave the detention barracks, Sam and Dan's names being among them. This done, the boys gathered their bags and falling into line started off across the grounds, led by the officer.
Barracks A was to be their quarters for the next three weeks. Here, they were turned over to another quartermaster, who proceeded to instruct them in their duties.
To each man he a.s.signed a billet, that is a place where he should sling his hammock each night before he turned in, for the lads were to live just as they would when aboard s.h.i.+p.
The hammocks were made of canvas, and were suspended from hooks in the ceiling, so high up that a person could walk under the hammocks by stooping slightly.
”Each of you,” said the instructor, ”will be expected to sling his hammock every night and lash it in the morning. If you will observe me I will show you how it is done.”
The apprentices gathered about.
”You first hook the ring of the clews to the hammock hook; then pa.s.s each outer nettle from out inwards through the eyelet on its own side of the hammock. Square the two nettles and take a half hitch with each.
Pa.s.s the remaining nettles in the same manner, extending the end of each through the hitch, following it toward the center. Sling the other end in the same manner. Is that clear?”
”Yes, I think so,” answered Dan rather doubtfully.