Dick Prescott's Second Year at West Point - Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life by H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock
page 22 of 232 (09%)
page 22 of 232 (09%)
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in a mere plebe refusing to follow the commands of a yearling.
"You will remain in that kneeling posture, mister, unless you are released from it. Now, thrust your head down into the water, as far as you can without interfering with your breathing. Remain in that position. Take your hands off the floor, sir, and do not rest them on the floor again. Continue with your head in soak until you are directed to do otherwise." Even Anstey had to look grimly satisfied with this punishment. The unhappy plebe certainly did present a most laughable yet woeful appearance. It seemed impossible to keep this position, without occasional steadying by the hands, but it had to be done. If the reader does not consider it a hard feat to kneel thus, with one's head immersed in the water, the reader can easily satisfy his curiosity on the point. Having thus put the plebe in soak, the yearlings all turned away from him, conversing among themselves on one subject and another. Yet, had the plebe ventured to raise his head somewhat out of the water, or to seek support from his hands, he would quickly have discovered that he was being effectively if covertly watched. Minute after minute the plebe remained "in soak." To him it seemed, of course, like hours. At last, when human endurance of the Briggs brand could last no longer, the plebe gave an expected lurch sideways, falling flat, upsetting the bucket and causing much of the water flow along his own neck and beneath his underclothing. |
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