Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 152: what you’re looking at

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942 they've immediately got transferred. I’m beginning to know why. I'll get a bugler that will put a crust on your slumbers. Now fall out and think that over. Then dress, eat and get to work. Sergeant Ryan!” Ryan came on the run. ‘ See that my horse is saddled. Also ‘phone down to the bridge and tell them to have my car there. I am going to Camp Lewis to-day. And, sergeant!” “Yes sir?” “Tl bring back a bugler with me or know the reason why. That’s all. All ex- cept one thing. See that you are properly dressed after this when you report to me!” ‘Yes, sir!” The sergeant vanished while the vanish- ing was good. First he ordered the horse saddled that would take the captain down the trail to the Olympic Highway Bridge, next he telephoned to have the car there. ‘Another bugler, eh?” commented the cook. ‘‘ Well, he’ll have to be a tough one to stick here long. This is a camp of fight- ing fools and<it’s a good thing there’s a Captain Murphy at the head of the com- pany or no telling what would happen. Cir- cuses gather all the freaks under canvas and it looks as if we’d gathered all the boxers in the army!” The sergeant nodded. ‘ Looks like our loafing days are over, because when we have a bugler to waken us we haven’t any excuse for not getting up.” “Which is why the boys make a bugler hard to find. It’s a wonder the captain didn’t get next to it long ago.” “The captain was next. He likes to sleep in himself, but he has to make a show- ing, you know!” The cook nodded, but not sympathetical- ly. He had to get up before the others anyway and relied on an alarm clock to do the bugling. if. Tue captain dismounted from his horse at the bridge and stepped into his car. The driver slipped over and the captain took the wheel. It was a long drive to Camp Lewis and Murphy enjoyed stepping on her. Such was his stepping that he rolled ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, into the camp shortly after noon. Barnett invited him to lunch. ‘Glad to see you are alive,” he ob- served; ‘ that’s one tough gang you have up there!” ‘Td like to make ’em tougher. They’re getting soft lying in bed. I can’t get a bugler to stay long enough to get ’em in the habit of early rising, which, as you know, is conducive to health, wealth and wisdom. Nobody wakes up, not even me. Most buglers are little fellows. If I could find a chap with heavy-weight timber in him, I’d make him into a bugler, and then—” “e What?” “Td peek out of my tent and watch the fur fly.” ‘“ Maybe I can help you,” said Barnett. “What is the plot? It doesn’t just hap- pen that such a bunch as you have all land in one company.” *Here’s the low down. Keep it.dark. The colonel as you know is a Meloney. We got into a bit of an argument and in a moment of heat I told him I’d bet him five hundred dollars I’d develop a heavyweight champion within a year. And being a Meloney he took me up and I’m having the devil’s own time to save my five hun- dred dollars. It’s the principle of the thing. I’d spend a thousand to save five hundred, just like a woman spending ten cents car fare and an hour’s time to save twenty-five cents on a roast.” Murphy beamed an Trish smile. Barnett embraced him. “ You’ve saved my life. I’ve got a bugler I don’t know what to do with! He’s not pretty!” “Can he bugle?” “He can! Listen, that’s him now!” The sweet notes of the bugle came through the open window: Captain “ Soupy, Soupy, Soupy, Without a single bean. Porky, Porky, Porky, Without a strip of lean. Coffee, Coffee, Coffee, Worst was ever seen.” “He can’t be much of a man, he’s too musical!’’ observed Murphy. “Tl send for him!” oO comicboooks (©