“I wasn’t speaking to you; I was speaking to these men. I don’t count myself in the same category with you. I’m a worker!”
Newcomb a worker! Danenhower could hardly believe his ears. But not wishing to start a row before the men, and not wanting anyone, least of all a man who passed as an officer with them, to encourage them in the belief that they were ill-treated, he ordered curtly,
“Pipe down, Newcomb! That’s enough on that!”
But piping down was one thing not in Newcomb’s psychology. Answering back suited him better.
“No, I won’t!” he piped up. “I don’t take orders from you. And now that the crisis has come, I’m going to meet the issue! You’ve made yourself disagreeable to me right along, but I’m an officer too, and it’s got to stop!”
Had Dan been able to see in more than a vague blur, the issue would undoubtedly have met Newcomb’s jaw then and there. As it was, without further words, Dan stumbled from the tent to report the still spouting naturalist to the captain for endeavoring to foment trouble in the crew.
In five minutes, Newcomb was placed under arrest to be taken home for courtmartial on two charges:
I. Using language tending to produce discontent among the men; and
II. When remonstrated with by Lieutenant Danenhower, using insolent and insubordinate language.
There being little further De Long could then do, he deprived Newcomb of his shotgun, ordered him to keep in the rear as we proceeded, and sternly warned him meantime not to annoy anyone working.