"All right. Go ahead. Drink quick, for you must go on the jump, or you'll lose your boys." Shorty lifted the canteen to his lips and Groundhog clasped his throat with his thumb on Adam's apple. When Shorty got his breath he sputtered: "Great Jehosephat, you didn't let me git more'n a spoonful. But where are the boys?" "Old Jeff Billings's got 'em down at Zeke Wiggins's hash-foundry feedin' 'em, so's he kin toll 'em off into another rijimint." "Old Billings agin," shouted Shorty in a rage. "Where's the place? Show it to me. But wait a minute till I run back and git my pardner." "Gi' me that licker fust," shouted Groundhog, but Shorty was already running back for Si. When he returned with him he threw the canteen to Groundhog with the order, "Go ahead and show us the place." By the time they came in sight of the sutler's shanty the boys had finished their breakfast and were moving off after Billings. "There's your man and there's your boys," said Groundhog, pointing to them. "Now gi' me that 'ere sawbuck. You'll have to excuse me havin' anything to do with old Billings. He's licked me twice already." Shorty shoved the bill into his hand, and rushed down in front of Billings. "Here, you black-whiskered old roustabout, where 're you takin' them boys?" he demanded. "Git out o' my way, you red-headed snipe," answered Billings, making a motion as if to brush him away. "If you don't go off and leave them boys alone I'll belt you over the head with my gun," said Si, raising his musket. "You drunken maverick," answered Billings, trying to brave it out. "I'll have you shot for insultin' and threatenin' your sooperior officer. Skip out o' here before the Provo comes up and ketches you. Let me go on about my business. Forward, boys." "Officer nothin'. You can't play that on us," said Si. "Halt, there, boys, and stand fast." A crowd of teamsters, sutlers' men and other camp followers gathered around. A tall, sandybearded man with keen, gray eyes and a rugged, stony face rode up. He wore a shabby slouch hat, his coat was old and weather-stained, but he rode a spirited horse. "Here, what's all this row about?" he asked in quick, sharp tones. "Keep out o' this mix," said Shorty, without looking around. "'Tain't none o' your business. This is our party." With that he made a snatch at Billings's collar to jerk him out of the way. "What, you rascal, would you assault an officer?" said the newcomer, spurring his horse through the crowd to get at Shorty. [Illustration: HE AIN'T NO OFFICER 27] "He ain't no officer, General," said Si, catching sight of two dim stars on the man's shoulders. "He's tryin' to steal our recruits from us." "Yes, I am an officer," said Billings, avoiding Shorty's clutch. "These men are assaultin' me while I'm on duty. I want them arrested and punished." "Fall back there, both of you," said the General severely, as Si and Shorty came to a present arms. "Sergeant, who are you, and where do you belong?"