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TTIE SUNDAY OREGOXIAX, iORTIA?JT, MAY 14, 1?)16.
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X(OWBOY" said the General, as the army broke ranks for a short rest, "I wish you would ride ahead and
B look for a good place to camp. Be sure that there Is plenty of water and firewood handy, for that is
A necessary to a good camp."
"Yes, sir," answered the Cowboy, with a very correct military salute, "111 go at once, sir," and lumping
into the saddle he touched spurs to his mouse and galloped madly away, soon disappearing behind a
water bucket.
"Fall in! Forward, march!" commanded the General, and once more the little army took up the weary march.
The rumble of the heavy artillery and the tramp of the marching feet attracted the attention of many bugs who
gathered along the road to watch the army as it passed by, and let it be said that many a little lady bug's heart
went pit-a-pat at the sight of the gallant General as he rode by mounted on a fine gray mouse.
"I wonder what the General will do to me? " asked the Dance, as he marched along under arrest between four
soldiers with fixed bayoneti
"It's hard to tell," answered the Scotchman, who was one of the guards. "It's a mighty grave offense to taTk
back to an officer."
"Well, I don't care," muttered the Dunce. "Itg pretty aoft for him when he can ride a mouse while we've
got to walk."
Soon the Cowboy came galloping tip to the General and reported on lie camping grounds that he had found
for the army.
"It is a fine place," said the Cowboy, riding along by the side of the commander of the army. "There Is plenty
of wood handy and within a short distance is a large pan of water, enough to keep the army supplied for a month
or two. The place I have picked .out for the army to camp in is a nice level place beside a log and a hatchet is
leaning against the log with its handle sticking up in the air. I thought the hatchet handle would make a fine signal
station, for from the top of it one would be able to see the surrounding country for mi'es." t
Presently the army matched into the camping grounds and stacking their guns the little soldiers busied them
selves getting the camp into shape for supper. The Cook's tent, pans, kettles, and boxes of food were first unpacked
so the hungry army would be ready to sit down to supper by the time they had put up the rest of the tiny tents.
The Dunce, as a punishment for his having talked back to an officer, was ordered to walk up and down before
the General's tent for an hour, carrying on his back a heavy log.
The Cowboy climbed to the top of the hatchet, with the help of a pair of climbing irons, and hung a rope ladder
to the top of the handle so the signal service men could get to the top quickly whenever they wished to wigwag
a message.
The Lady of Fashion made up the tiny cots In the hospital tent with clean white sheets and had everything
so pretty and cozy about the place that Gogo and the Clown complained of being .sick and asked to be sent to the
hospital at once.
l The. Cook, with the help of the Chinaman, made a big kettle of noodle soup for the hungry soldiers, and with
a stewed currant for dessert and plenty of strong coffee the actny sat down to quite a feast.
After supper the men gathered about the camp fire and listened to the Old Soldier as he told of a thrilling hand
to hand fight he had once fought with a desperate spider.
Having had such a. long march, the tired soldiers soon turned Into their tents for the night, and the iramp,
tramp of the sentinel was the only sound that disturbed the quiet of the sleeping camp,
Copyright 191S: By Win. Donahr4
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