He has seen
years of army service, and is thoroughly imbued with the military
spirit. The boys are more afraid of him than of the president and
entire board of trustees,--as afraid as they would be of old Nick,
himself, in boots and striped pantaloons.
In a flash every Digger had disappeared into his own room and locked
the door after him, and the Camanches are left alone, gasping among
their feathers, the captain in their midst.
There is a moment of bewilderment followed by a wild stampede toward
the iron door, but the Captain has cut off the retreat.
"Young gentlemen, you will remain and clear up the hall. Williams, go
to the coal-cellar and bring up the two-bushel basket."
Williams is "nobbiest" of third-story boys, bravest of Camanche
warriors, but Williams doesn't dare refuse to go for that basket.
During his absence his fellow-savages express strong doubts as to his
ever re-appearing upon the battle-field, but he does return, like
Regulus to his barrel of spikes.
The Captain has borrowed a number of brooms and dust-pans from the
Diggers who, to a man, had retired and been snoring sweetly.
"Now, gentlemen, clear up these feathers!" orders the Captain, as if he
was crying, "Forward, march!"
Clearing up those feathers was a tedious and trying process.
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