CHAPTER XXVIII
THE STORM
There had been several accidents in camp, and just before Jerry, Boband Ned had arrived two men had been killed by the premature explosionof a hand grenade. It was no wonder then, that, as the young soldierssaw the instrument of death so near them, and realized that in anothermoment the missiles might be hurled among them, fear clutched theirhearts.
“Down! Down!” shouted the lieutenant again, running along the widetrench, in crouching fashion, to see that his command was enforced.“Get down, every one!”
Only in this way could danger be in a measure averted, and yet theexplosion, so near at hand, might cave in the trench, burying the boys.
Not more than a second or two had passed since Pug, by his recklessness,had created the danger, and yet it seemed like hours to some, as theygazed with fascinated eyes at the bomb so near them. It needed only afraction more of time to bring about the explosion.
And yet in that fraction Jerry Hopkins acted. Before any one was awareof his intention he had leaped up on the firing step of the trench, andwas out, with a shovel in his hand.
“What are you going to do?” yelled the lieutenant. “Come back! You’llbe killed! That bomb’s going off!”
Jerry did not stop to answer. There was no time. Neither was there timeto argue over disobeying one’s superior officer. Jerry knew he had toact quickly, and he did.
With one scoop of his shovel he picked the grenade up in it, and, withthe same motion, he sent the deadly missile hurtling over toward theother trench, in which there were no soldiers stationed.
With all his strength, and as far as he could, Jerry hurled thegrenade, and it had no sooner landed in the other trench, far enoughaway to be harmless to the practicing squad, than it exploded. Up inthe air flew a shower of earth and stones, a few particles reachingJerry, who was out of the trench, and some distance in advance of it.
For a moment after the echoes of the explosion died away there wassilence, and then came a ringing and spontaneous cheer. The soldierlads realized that Jerry had saved the lives of some of them, and hadprevented many from severe injury.
“Great work, my boy! Well done!” cried the lieutenant, as Jerry droppedback into the trench, and the officer shook hands with the tall lad.
“It was the only thing to do, that I could see,” Jerry explained. “Ididn’t want to pick the grenade up in my hand, but I thought I couldswing it out of the way with the shovel.”
“And you certainly did,” the lieutenant said. “As for you, Kennedy, Isaw how you threw that bomb. It was against orders. You have been toldto use the overhand swing, and because you did not you dropped thegrenade too close to the trench. It was a violation of orders and aserious one. You may consider yourself under arrest.”
Pug received only what was due him, but the look he gave Jerry toldthat lad he might look for some retaliation on the part of the bully.
“I wish they’d put him out of the army, or at least transfer him tosome other company,” said Bob, when the practice was over. “He doesnothing but make trouble for us!”
And it did seem so, from the very beginning.
Jerry’s action was officially noted, and he received public commendationfrom the captain for his quick work in getting the grenade out of theway.
Jerry’s action later received a more substantial recognition than merewords, for he was made a corporal, being the first of the trio to gainpromotion. But Ned and Bob were glad, not jealous.
“Corporal, we salute you!” exclaimed Bob, when Jerry was made anon-commissioned officer, and Chunky and Ned formally gave Jerry therecognition due him.
“Oh, cut it out!” advised Jerry--unofficially. “I’m not going to be anydifferent.”
But Jerry found that he had to be just a little different. He was givencharge of a squad of seven men, including Bob and Ned, much to thedelight of the latter, and the young officer was supposed to look aftertheir welfare, in a way, and also instruct them.
“Well, I’m glad Pug Kennedy isn’t any longer in our squad,” Jerry said.“We can sort of keep to ourselves now.”
As marching, next to actually firing shots at the enemy, forms theprincipal work of a soldier, there were many drills devoted to thiswork. The uses of the different formations were explained to the lads,and they were put through many evolutions which seemed tiresome inthemselves, but which had certain objects in view.
Of course, on the battlefield, there is little chance for such marchingas is done on the drill ground. But there is always distance to go,and sometimes in the quickest possible time, so the soldiers must behardened to marching under the most adverse circumstances.
To this end many hikes, or practice marches, were held. Sometimes thewhole regiment, sometimes only certain companies, and again only asquad would be sent out.
It was one day, about two weeks after his promotion, that CorporalJerry Hopkins was ordered to take his squad out for an all-day hikethrough the country. They were to take their rations with them, andspend the day marching about.
It was not an aimless march, though, for it had an object. Jerry wasordered to bring back a map of the route he took, marking the locationof houses, barns, wells, places where fodder might be had for horses,sustenance for men, and the location of the roads.
This work is constantly being done by the army, so that the militaryofficials will have complete information about every part of our bigcountry, not only for use in times of peace, but in time of war, shouldwe ever be invaded by a foreign foe.
Behold then, early one morning, Ned, Bob and Jerry, the latter incommand, with four other men, ready for the practice hike.
“You will use your discretion, Corporal,” Captain Trainer had said toJerry. “If an emergency occurs, and you have to remain out all night,seek the best shelter you can. You have your dog tents, and you haverations enough until after breakfast to-morrow. If you should needmore you are empowered to requisition them, giving a proper receiptfor them, payment to be made later.”
“Yes, sir!”
Jerry saluted and marched his men down the road, not a little proud ofhis mission.
There was nothing remarkable about the hike. Hundreds of other squadshad done the same thing, and had brought back good maps. Jerry wantedto do the same.
Everything went well. They reached their objective, had supper, andcamped for the night. And then their troubles began. For no sooner werethey snug in their shelter tents than a violent storm came up, withthunder and lightning, and two of the tents, low as they were, blewover.
“Say, this is fierce!” exclaimed Bob, for the tent he and Ned wereunder had gone down. “Can’t we find some other shelter?”
Jerry came out into the storm and darkness to look about. He realizedthat he was responsible for the comfort of his men.