[Pg 100]And the plebes feared it would be that way, too, and yet there were a few at the tables discussing the matter in whispers, venturesome enough to say that perhaps maybe their classmate might win and to wonder what on earth would happen to him if he did.
The mood of the irate7 little corporal, who had vowed not an hour before that Mallory should not have another chance, may well be imagined.
"I tell you, 'tis a shame!" he vowed to Williams. "A shame! I don't see why in thunder you didn't hold out."
"It's not my fault, Jasper," responded the other, smiling good naturedly. "If you'll think a while, you'll see he was in a position to force a fight at any time he chose. If I refused to 'allow him to threaten to hit me,' as he put it, he could have threatened anyway, and then if that didn't do any good, he'd have actually to hit me, and there you would have been. It's a great deal better this way."
"Yes!" growled8 Jasper. "That sounds all very well. But look where it puts me, by George! You'll have to get somebody else to arrange it. I won't. I went as a committee and told him he'd not get another chance, and[Pg 101] I tell you now I'll not go take it back for anybody, and with that B. J. plebe especially."
"Perhaps he won't be so very B. J. after the fight," responded the other, smiling. "I don't know, of course, but I shall do my best."
"If you don't," said the other, looking serious, "by jingo! we'll be in a thundering fix. There's nobody in the class can beat you, and that plebe'll have a walkover."
This last sentiment of Jasper's was the sentiment of the whole yearling class, and the class was in a state of uncertainty9 in consequence. Texas was known to have whipped four cadets in one morning, and all of them good men, too; then there was a rumor10 out that Mark and Texas had had a quarrel and that the latter had gone to the hospital some five minutes later. The two facts put together were enough to make the most confident do some thinking.
It is difficult for one who has never been to West Point to appreciate what this state of affairs meant—because it is hard for him to appreciate the relation which exists between the plebe and the rest of the corps. From the moment of the former's arrival as an alarmed and trembling candidate, it is the especial business of every cadet to[Pg 102] teach him that he is the most utterly11, entirely12 and absolutely insignificant13 individual upon the face of the universe. He is shouted at and ordered, bullied14, badgered, tormented15, pulled and hauled, drilled and laughed at until he is reduced to the state of mind of a rabbit. If he is "B. J." about it, he is bullied the more; if he shows fight, he has all he wants, and is made meeker16 still. The result of it all is that he learns to do just as anybody else commands him, and
Never dares to sneeze unless
He's asked you if he might.
All of which is fun for the yearling.
Now, here was Mark Mallory—to say nothing of Texas—who had come up to the Point with an absurd notion of his own dignity, who had outwitted the yearlings at every turn, been sent to Coventry—and didn't care a hang, and now was on the point of trying to "lick" the finest all-around athlete in the whole third class. It was enough to make the corps tremble—the yearlings, at any rate. The first class usually feels too dignified17 to meddle18 with such things.
Billy Williams' ambassador put in an appearance on the following Sunday morning, and, to Mark's disgust,[Pg 103] he proved to be none other than his old enemy, Bull Harris—sent, by the way, not because Williams so chose, but because Bull himself had asked to be sent.
"Mr. Williams," said he, "says he'll give you another chance to run away."
Mark bowed politely, determined19 that Harris should get as little chance for insult as possible.
"He'll fight you to-morrow—Fort Clinton, at four, and if you don't come, by thunder! he'll find out why."
Mark's face grew white, but he only bowed again, and swallowed it. And just then came an unexpected interruption.
"Mr. Mallory, as the challenged party, has the right to name the time."
The voice was loud and clear, and seemed to have authority; Harris turned and confronted Cadet First Captain Fischer, in all his glory of chevrons20 and sword. Now, the first captain is lord of West Point—and Harris didn't dare to say a word, though he was boiling within.
"And, moreover," continued the imposing21 young officer, angrily, "you should remember that you came, Mr.[Pg 104] Harris, as a gentleman and not as a combatant. Mr. Mallory, what is your wish?"
"The time suits me," said Mark, quietly. "Good-day, Mr. Harris."
And Harris left in a very unpleasant mood indeed; he had meant to have no end of amusement at the expense of Mark's feelings.
"You've a hard row to hoe," said the cadet officer to Mark, "and a hard man to beat. And you were foolish to get into it, but, all the same, I'll see that you have fair play."
"And that," exclaimed Texas to Mark, as he watched the tall, erect22 figure of the cadet vanish through the sally port. "That is the first decent word I've heard from a cadet since I've been here. Bully23 for Fischer!"
"It's probable," said Mark, "that he knows Harris as well as we. And now, old fellow," he added, "we've got nothing to do but pass time, and wait—and wait for to-morrow morning!"
Mark slept soundly that night in spite of the excitement. It was Texas who was restless, for Texas had promised to act as alarm clock, and, realizing that not to be on time again would be a calamity24 indeed, he was up[Pg 105] half a dozen times to gaze out of the window toward the eastern sky, watching for the first signs of morning.
While it was yet so dark that he could scarcely see the clock, he routed Mark out of bed.
"Git up thar," he whispered, "git up an' git ready."
Mark "got," and the two dressed hurriedly and crept down the stairs, past the sentry25—the sentry was a cadet, and kindly26 "looked the other way"—and then went out through the sally port to the parade ground. The plain was shrouded27 in mist and darkness, and the stars still shone, though there was a faint light in the east. The two stole past the camp—where also the sentries28 were blind—scaled the ramparts, and stood in the center of "old Fort Clinton."
The spot was deserted29 and silent, but scarcely had the two been there a moment before a head peered over the wall nearest to the camp.
"They're here," whispered a cadet, and sprang over. A dozen others followed him, and in a very few minutes more there were at least thirty of them, excited and eager, waiting for "Billy" to put in an appearance. It was not long before Billy came, and behind him his faithful chum, Jasper, with a bucket of water, and sponges and towels[Pg 106] enough for a dozen. About the same time Stanard's long shanks appeared over the breastworks, and Indian tumbled over a moment later. Things were about ready then.
"Let's lose no time," said Jasper, always impatient. "Captain Fischer will act as referee30 and timekeeper, if it's agreeable."
No one could have suited Mark more, and he said so. Likewise, he stated, through his second, Mr. Powers, that he preferred to fight by rounds, which evidently pleased Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams was by this time stripped to the waist, his suspenders tied about him. And it was evidently as Fischer had said. There was no finer man in his class, and he was trained to perfection. His skin was white and glistening31, his shoulders broad and massive, and the muscles on his arms stood out with every motion. His legs were probably as muscular, too, thought Mark, for Williams held the record for the mile. The yearlings' hearts beat higher as they gazed at their champion's determined face.
Mark was a little slower in stepping up; when he did so the watching crowd sized him up carefully, and then there was doubt.
"Marquis of Queensberry rules," said Fischer, in a low tone. "Both know them?"
Mark nodded.
"Shake hands!"
"Ready?"
And then the simple word "Go."
Let us gaze about a moment at the scene. The ring is surrounded by earthworks, now grass-grown and trodden down, unkept since the Revolutionary days, when West Point was a Gibraltar. Old cannon34, caissons and wagon35 wheels are scattered about inside, together with ramparts and wire chevaux-de-friezes which the cadets are practiced in constructing. In the southwest corner is a small, clear, smooth-trodden space, where the two brawny36, white-skinned warriors37 stand. The cadets are forming a ring about them, for every one is too excited to sit down and keep quiet. The "outlooks," posted for safety, are neglecting their duty recklessly for the same[Pg 108] reason, and looking in altogether. Every eye is on the two.
Over in Mark's corner sits Texas, gripping his hands in excitement, wriggling38 nervously39 and muttering to himself. Stanard is beside him with "Dana's Geology" as a cushion. The Parson is a picture of calm and scholarly dignity, in direct contrast with our friend Texas, who is on the verge40 of one of his wild "fits." "Indian" is the fourth and only other plebe present, and Indian is horrified41, as usual, and mutters "Bless my soul" at intervals42.
On the opposite side of the circle of cadets are Jasper and another second, both breathlessly watching every move. Nearby stands Cadet Captain Fischer, calm and cool, critically watching the play.
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1
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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3
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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hazing
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| n.受辱，被欺侮v.（使）笼罩在薄雾中( haze的现在分词 )；戏弄，欺凌（新生等，有时作为加入美国大学生联谊会的条件） | |
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7
irate
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| adj.发怒的，生气 | |
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growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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9
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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10
rumor
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| n.谣言，谣传，传说 | |
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11
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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13
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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14
bullied
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| adj.被欺负了v.恐吓，威逼( bully的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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16
meeker
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| adj.温顺的，驯服的( meek的比较级 ) | |
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17
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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18
meddle
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| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
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19
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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20
chevrons
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| n.（警察或士兵所佩带以示衔级的）∧形或∨形标志( chevron的名词复数 ) | |
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21
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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22
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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23
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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24
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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25
sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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26
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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27
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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28
sentries
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| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
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29
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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30
referee
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| n.裁判员．仲裁人，代表人，鉴定人 | |
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31
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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32
gee
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| n.马；int.向右！前进！，惊讶时所发声音；v.向右转 | |
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33
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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34
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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35
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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36
brawny
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| adj.强壮的 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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38
wriggling
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的现在分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等）；蠕蠕 | |
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39
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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40
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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41
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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42
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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