Part 12 (1/2)
”Has he done anything to you?”
”I can't say, sir.”
”You mean you will not?”
”I would rather not, sir.”
”Young man, you are new here, else I should be inclined to treat you with great severity. I am satisfied that you threw the man Flink out of the drill hall with malicious intent. That, of itself, is sufficient to merit calling you before the mast for examination and sentence. I do not wish to do that, in view of the fact that you do not fully understand the ways of the school. But discipline must be maintained. I will see to it that no marks are laid against you in this instance. However, as soon as you have finished your routine, you will take an extra duty tour of two hours, carrying a rifle. You will so report to your commanding officer.”
”Yes, sir,” answered Sam meekly. ”What do I do with the gun?”
”Carry it. You will receive your instructions from the quartermaster.
Return to your company.”
Sam saluted and walked back to the drill hall. He did not feel particularly humiliated, well knowing that, while he was to blame in a way, the other fellow was more so.
”What happened?” whispered Dan as Sam fell into line once more.
”I got mine.”
”Punishment?”
”Yes.”
”What kind?”
”Extra duty tour-with a gun. I'm glad he told me to carry a gun. I can amuse myself with the gun. I wish he had told me to load it and go woodchuck hunting.”
Dan looked a bit troubled, but Sam took his punishment good-naturedly.
An hour later, found him tramping up and down the drill ground in the hot sun, with a rifle slung over his shoulders. He had not been there long before he saw Louis Flink approaching him, the latter having been sent to quarters on some mission or other.
Sam pretended not to see him until Flink halted before him with a stealthy glance to the rear to make sure that he was not observed.
”Hullo, red-head. Got what's coming to you, didn't you!” sneered Flink.
”That's where you've got the best of me Blinkers. You haven't got what is coming to you yet, so you have something to look forward to. Go on about your business before I put down this gun and thrash you. Go on!”
Sam made a move toward his tormentor, whereat Flink made haste to get out of the way. From a safe distance he taunted Sam until he saw a blue-coated figure approaching. Flink hurried on about his business, Sam taking up his steady march.
The figure, which proved to be that of a lieutenant whom Sam had not seen before, came on, but the boy did not appear to see him. He was too busy marching apparently, to heed even an officer. But Sam was suddenly called to his duty by a sharp command.
”Halt!”
Instinctively the lad stiffened.
”Attention! Young man, do you not understand what 'attention' means?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Then what is that gun doing on your shoulder?”