In Barracks and Wigwam — page 109: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

athe Megs “aiid once 1 Bol my grip on + Marines he Had to a. , “It was something that didn’t occur to the rest of us,’ said Reily, “and that only one man in a thousand would have thought of. Major Dallas will hear of it, and then | >? you're sure to get your grade in spite of the captain “In spite of Captain Norman?” Linn interrupted, sharply. “Why, I saved his life. Harkness was just going to fire at him——” | “I know that, Osborne. But I was watching Captain Norman, and he actually bit his lip and looked vexed when you jerked Harkness off his feet. It’s no use hash- ing over the old story. You and I understand it, and so do half the men of the troop. Captain Norman has vowed to keep you in the ranks, and now that you’re ina fair way to rise he'll dislike you more than ever, even _ though he knows that you saved his life. ms “It sounds queer, but it’s just as I tell you. The cap- ‘ tain is a splendid soldier, and a fair and square man until — his private purposes are crossed. Then he’s a good hater, anda crafty one. And he sees in you a contradiction of his pet hobby. Once in the ranks, always in the ranks—_ that’s his theory. This time you'll get your grade in spite of him, but look out for the future, and keep your eyes | open. Take my advice—I mean it well.” “TI know you do,” Linn said, gratefully. “You're a_ good fellow, Reily, and I promise you I'll be on my guard. But I can scarcely believe that Captain Norman will i “Bang! the dull report of a revolver rang on the night - air, breaking off the conversation between Privates Os- borne and Reily, and making the heart of every man in ~ the detachment leap with excitement and alarm. All eyes _ peered forward, and the Indians were seen to spread out in a long and broken skirmish line, and <hen to check en ete eons § “oshy to a es trot. boon ~< -. .comicbooks.com _