OR,
THE MARCH AND ENCAMPMENT OF THE DASHAHED ZOUAVES.
CHAPTER I.
RAISING A REGIMENT1.
One bright afternoon last summer, about two weeks after the dreadful battle of Bull Run, Freddy Jourdain burst open the door of his mother's room and rushed in, exclaiming: "Jolly, mother! such fun! What do you think the boys in our school are going to do?"
"Why what?" asked his mother.[36]
"Yes, I should really like to know why you come tearing up stairs yelling like forty steam engines!" added his sister Bella, who was rather a particular young lady.
"Well," began Freddy, looking very important, "I'll try to explain, but I don't believe you women can understand about us boys!"
"After that speech I think you had better explain," said Bella, "if you're not in want of a thimble pie on your knuckles2."
"Well, then," cried Freddy, with sparkling eyes, "the boys at our school are all square against that old Jeff. Davis, and in recess3 yesterday, we concluded that we ought to go and help shoot the Southerners. So we've[37] organized a regiment, and I'm chosen Colonel; and I'm going to take my regiment to camp on Monday, that is, if you'll let me. Mayn't I, mother? It's such fun, and Tom Pringle's given me such a jolly popgun! Hurrah4 for Jackson and the Stars and Stripes!" So saying, Freddy cut a caper5 in the air, that made about forty "chaney alleys," "stony6 alleys," "glass agates," and "middles," pop out of his satchel7, which was slung8 over one shoulder, and roll into all the corners of the room.
"Where is your encampment to be?" said his mother, as gravely as she could.
"Oh, down on Mr. Schermerhorn's place at Astoria. Peter Schermerhorn[38] told us to-day that his father was willing we should have it there, and has invited us all to come and stay a whole week. We're to live in real tents!" (here Freddy couldn't help cutting another caper,) "and cook our own dinners, and—oh, mother, mayn't I go? say!"
"I do not think of any objection at present," replied Mrs. Jourdain, "but you must wait until your father comes home, and hear what he has to say. It was very kind of Mr. Schermerhorn to invite you all, but I am afraid he will be driven distracted with such a number of harem-scarem boys running about his place."
At this moment Joseph, the black waiter, knocked at the door, and announced,[39] with an air of high-flown elegance9, that "Major Schermerhorn was in the drawing salon10 (which he considered the purest Parisian French for front parlor), and desired to see Col. Jourdain;" and our young friend was off like a shot, Joseph following at a dignified11 pace.
Joseph, like most other colored servants in New York, was a person of the highest fashion, according to his own notions. No short words for him, I can tell you. I remember well the first time I called upon his mistress, I inquired, "Does Mrs. Jourdain live here?" and Joseph, drawing himself up with an air of superior refinement12, replied, "Mrs. Jourdain resides here, madam." At dinner parties, when[40] he waited upon table, he was the most dignified person present, and held his head up so high that he looked as if it would shortly go through the chandelier. He was always dressed in the finest broadcloth and patent leather, his black face and white necktie presenting an admirable contrast, while he used all the five cornered words in the dictionary in replying to any question, and always handed the dishes to the ladies with a flourish of the most astonishing character.
Now, if I tell you a secret, you must promise not to let any one know it. Freddy's parents live in the Fifth avenue above Madison Square, in the city of New York. His father is a rich man, and Freddy, a bright, manly13 lad,[41] between thirteen and fourteen at the time I am writing about, and the only son, is a good deal indulged. But don't think he ever abuses the kindness of his loving papa and mamma; no—although he is full of noise, fun, and innocent mischief14, he is a good, obedient little fellow—and that is why they love to do all they can to make him happy. But you must not tell that I said where he lives.
When Mr. Jourdain came home that evening, Freddy, of course, began to tell him the first thing, about the regiment and Mr. Schermerhorn's delightful15 invitation. You may be sure he gave a full-length description of the pleasures of camp life, as retailed16 by Peter to an enthusiastic audience[42] at recess; and backed up his request to go by such powerful pleas of sparkling, eager eyes, flushed, happy face, and irresistible17, dimpling smile, that the hardest-hearted papa in existence would have said "yes." Mr. Jourdain, being anything but hard-hearted, readily consented, as he was intimately acquainted with Mr. Schermerhorn and family, and knew there was no fear on a private place of their meeting with danger, or getting into trouble.
Then his father went on to ask a great many questions about the regiment, how many boys belonged to it, what their sizes were, and where they lived; all of which Freddy delightedly answered, and kept up a continuous[43] chattering18 until a quarter past nine, which, being his bed time, he was reluctantly obliged to trot19 up stairs.
After he was fairly out of the room, his father and mother had a long consultation20, which resulted next day in Mr. Jourdain's paying a visit to "Brooks21 Brothers," the tailors in Broadway, and afterward22 going to a certain store in Maiden23 Lane, which had all manner of toy knapsacks and guns in the window. What could he have gone there for, I wonder? and then betaken himself to the police station in B—— street? Really, it seems very mysterious, but wait a little, and you'll see.
Meanwhile Freddy, with his satchel hanging down his back to look as[44] much like a knapsack as possible, marched off to school bright and early; whistling the "Star-spangled Banner" as he went along, and looking with the utmost pity upon strange boys, who hadn't the honor of belonging to his glorious regiment, the "Dashahed Zouaves," as his father had advised him to name it.
He reached Dr. Larned's academy just as Peter, Harry24, and half a dozen others were going in. They greeted him directly with a shout of "Well, Fred, what does your father say?"
"Oh, I'm to go!" cried Freddy, "I say, fellows, what do you think of the Dashahed Zouaves for a name?"
"That's splendid! capital!" was the cry of the party. I am afraid I[45] must add that Peter said "that's gay!"
There was no time to talk now, however, for it was full nine o'clock; so the boys, hanging up their hats in the hall, entered the school room, and prayers over, the lessons began.
But who could be very attentive25 to his ante-cedents, or uncle-cedents either, when, in three days, the se-cedents were to be utterly26 routed by the Dashahed Zouaves? The boys were so full of chuckle27 and bounce, that, I'm afraid, poor Dr. Larned would have become cracked and crazy, if he hadn't reflected that the holidays and Fourth of July, or, as Peter called it, "the Fourth of Ju-New Year's" were coming, and that probably the state[46] of things was owing to those important facts.
The recitations on that memorable28 Friday, however, were something wonderful, sure enough. For instance, the lesson in geography was about China. The doctor asked a boy, "Where is Shanghai situated29?" and he replied, "On Long Island, about two miles from Astoria landing!—that is," and there he stopped, looking as awkward and silly as a Shanghai chicken.
"Won't do, sir," said the doctor, in a grave tone, "you must study the lesson over again, and go down one;" and down he had to go, feeling rather flat.
Then the doctor asked Freddy what the principal manufactures were,[47] and he answered, "Tea, porcelain30, silk, and Zouave drill—no, no, the other kind of drill! dear me, what do I mean?"
"I cannot imagine," returned Doctor Larned, in a severe tone, but with a little bit of a smile hiding in the corner of his mouth. "You appear to be thinking of anything but your lessons, young gentlemen—but as it is the last day of school, I excuse you. We will have recess earlier than usual, and see if we cannot do better afterward."
So saying, he opened the door leading from the school room to his private study, and went in; while the boys, luncheon31 in hand, ran to the playground.[48]
"The playground," as it was called, was the large yard attached to the house, which had been fitted up with a few simple gymnastic contrivances, and formed a capital place where the boys might amuse themselves in fine weather. Down they sat, and for a few moments were so busy trying who could take the biggest semicircular bite out of a slice of bread and butter that nobody spoke32 a word. At last Freddy commenced, by calling out,
"I say, fellows!"
"Silence in the guard tent! the Colonel's going to speak!" cried Peter, making a new version of the old school saying.
"Don't you know all the real Zouaves have their hair cut as short as[49] anything? and just look at mine!" and Freddy tossed back his silky, golden curls in high disgust.
"Fellows, it must be done! We must have that hair off, short order!" continued the Colonel, solemnly.
"Well," exclaimed George Chadwick, who was the oldest of the party, and would certainly have been Colonel if Freddy had not been prime favorite with everybody, "Don't you see how we can manage that?"
"Why, how?" was the general question.
"Just you wait a moment," replied the inventor, and he put for the house in double quick time, whence he presently returned with an immense pair[50] of scissors, which he had borrowed of the cook.
"Now, then, who'll be scissorized first?"
"I! I! I!" cried a chorus of voices.
"Can't do every one at once; come, Freddy, you're the commander-in-chief, suppose you set the example."
"Here goes, then!" exclaimed Freddy; and down he sat on the spring board.
Snip33! went the long scissors, and off came a beautiful curl. Snap! more demolition34 on the other side, and in five minutes such a worn-out old scrubbing brush as his head looked like, never was seen anywhere, even on a Zouave; George, of course, running[51] out his tongue so far at every snip of the scissors, that it was a mercy it didn't get cut off, too.
"FIRE AWAY OLD CHAP!" "FIRE AWAY OLD CHAP!"
"Jolly! what a fright you look!" shouted Peter. "I say Freddy, I expect you'll scare General Beauregard into the cholera35 the first time he sees you. Now, then, it's my turn; fire away old chap!"
My conscience! what hair cutting that was! Some parts were scratched nearly bald, while in others, little bunches of hair were left standing36 up like stubble in an autumn cornfield. Their heads looked as if they had been gnawed37 by the mice or dug up in spots by the roots; and I am sure their own mammas would scarcely have known them again.[52]
"Come, number three's turn now!" exclaimed George, flourishing his scissors.
"No, I don't know about that," put in Tom Pringle, who was the most thoughtful of the party, "I guess I'd rather see what my mother thinks before I have my hair cut off."
This speech caused the rest of the regiment to think of something which hadn't struck them before, namely what their mothers would say on the subject of Zouave hair dressing38, and as George began to be a little frightened by this time, at the fearful and astonishing results of his patent plan, it was decided39 to defer40 the rest of the operation until another time.
But the amazement41 of Dr. Larned,[53] when he beheld42 his pupils in such a condition, was beyond everything.
"Why, Peter! Freddy! what have you been doing?" he exclaimed, raising his hands, and pushing his spectacles to the top of his forehead, to look at them better.
"Oh, only getting our hair cut in the Zouave pattern," said Peter, as cool as a cucumber. "Don't you know, Doctor, that we've organized a regiment?"
"Organized a regiment!" repeated the doctor, his spectacles almost falling off with astonishment43.
"Yes, sir, the Dashahed Zouaves; haven't you heard of them?"
"Is there any end to the mischief of boys?" exclaimed the doctor; "If[54] such things had happened in my young days, our old master, Dr. Birchemwell, would have verified his name even oftener than he did. I do not know what your mothers will say when they see such a couple of scarecrows; but come, we have wasted quite time enough; lessons! lessons!"
And to the credit of the boys, be it said, they really did set to work like good fellows, recited the unlucky geography lesson without a single mistake, ciphered like perfect calculating machines, and had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Larned say, as they shook hands for good-bye, "Really, young gentlemen, you have done very well—very well, indeed; so now good-bye, and pleasant holidays!"
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1
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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2
knuckles
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| n.（指人）指关节( knuckle的名词复数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝v.（指人）指关节( knuckle的第三人称单数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝 | |
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3
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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4
hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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5
caper
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| v.雀跃，欢蹦；n.雀跃，跳跃；续随子，刺山柑花蕾；嬉戏 | |
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6
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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7
satchel
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| n.(皮或帆布的)书包 | |
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8
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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9
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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10
salon
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| n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室 | |
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11
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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13
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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14
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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15
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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16
retailed
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| vt.零售（retail的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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19
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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20
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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21
brooks
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| n.小溪( brook的名词复数 ) | |
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22
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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25
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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26
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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27
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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28
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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29
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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30
porcelain
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| n.瓷；adj.瓷的，瓷制的 | |
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31
luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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32
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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snip
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| n.便宜货，廉价货，剪，剪断 | |
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demolition
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| n.破坏,毁坏,毁坏之遗迹 | |
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cholera
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| n.霍乱 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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37
gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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38
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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39
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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40
defer
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| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
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41
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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42
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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43
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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