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Bruce by Albert Payson Terhune
page 72 of 152 (47%)
posted off to the colonel with it.

The message was similar to one which had been telephoned to each
of the supporting bodies, to right and to left of the Here-We-
Comes. It bade the colonel prepare to withdraw his command from
the front trenches at nightfall, and to move back on the main
force behind the hill-crest. The front trenches were not
important; and they were far too lightly manned to resist a mass
attack. Wherefore the drawing-in and consolidating of the whole
outflung line.

Bruce, his work done now, had leisure to respond to the countless
offers of hospitality that encompassed him. One man brought him a
slice of cold broiled bacon. Another spread pork-grease over a
bit of bread and proffered it. A third unearthed from some
sacredly guarded hiding-place an excessively stale half-inch
square of sweet chocolate.

Had the dog so chosen, he might then and there have eaten himself
to death on the multitude of votive offerings. But in a few
minutes he had had enough, and he merely sniffed in polite
refusal at all further gifts.

"See?" lectured Mahan. "That's the beast of it! When you say a
fellow eats or drinks 'like a beast,' you ought to remember that
a beast won't eat or drink a mouthful more than is good for him."

"Gee!" commented the somewhat corpulent Dale. "I'm glad I'm not a
beast--especially on pay-day."

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