When Tom said this he stopped abruptly and gave such a start that his lieutenant looked up at him in surprise.
"What's the matter, cap'n?" said he. "You what?"
"You haven't received your commission from the Governor yet," repeated Tom slowly and emphatically. "And when I——"
"Have I got to have a paper like yourn?" exclaimed Lambert, looking astonished and interested. "That's news to me."
"Yes. And it can come to you only through my recommendation. I must certify that you were legally elected to the office you hold, and that was the reason I did not want you men to go through the farce of holding an election on horseback on the day I ordered you out for inspection," replied Tom; but the truth was he had never thought of it until that moment. It was a bright idea that suddenly flitted through his mind, and he wondered why it had been so long in coming to him.
"Well, by gum!" was all the disgusted Lambert could say in reply.
"Your papers, if you get them, will be something like mine, only different, you know, for a captain outranks a lieutenant by a large majority," continued Tom, improving to the utmost the advantage he had so unexpectedly gained. "You have no authority to make out warrants, but I have; and our non-coms., if we had any, would have to look to me for them."
This was all Greek to the overseer, who had taken no pains to post himself on military matters, but he did not ask Tom to explain, for he was anxious to hear more about the commission he ought to have, but had not yet received.
"Well, go on," said he impatiently. "And when you what?"