settlers, or even with their preliminary connivance. They may not
be aware that inciting enlisted men to desert is a criminal
offence; you will use your own discretion in informing them of the
fact or not, as occasion may serve you. I have only to add, that
while you are on the waters of this bay and the land covered by its
tides, you have no opposition of authority, and are responsible to
no one but your military superiors. Good-bye, Mr. Calvert. Let me
hear a good account of you."

Considerably moved by Colonel Preston's manner, which was as
paternal and real as his rhetoric was somewhat perfunctory, Calvert
half forgot his woes as he stepped from the commandant's piazza.
But he had to face a group of his brother officers, who were
awaiting him.

"Good-bye, Calvert," said Major Bromley; "a day or two out on grass
won't hurt you--and a change from commissary whiskey will put you
all right. By the way, if you hear of any better stuff at Westport
than they're giving us here, sample it and let us know. Take care
of yourself. Give your men a chance to talk to you now and then,
and you may get something from them, especially Donovan. Keep your
eye on Ramon. You can trust your sergeant straight along."

"Good-bye, George," said Kirby. "I suppose the old man told you
that, although no part of a soldier's duty was better than another,
your service was a very delicate one, just fitted for you, eh? He
always does when he's cut out some hellish scrub-work for a chap.
And told you, too, that as long as you didn't go ashore, and kept
to a dispatch-boat, or an eight-oared gig, where you couldn't
deploy your men, or dress a line, you'd be invincible."