“Your name is Newcombe, isn’t it? I thought so. I have heard of you,” he continued, as he led the new student to a seat; “and a few moments ago the colonel ordered me to take charge of you. I am to drill you in the broadsword exercise. I know it isn’t exactly my place to act the part of a drill-master, but I am comparatively a new student here; and, as I am working for something higher, I want to improve every opportunity to learn my duties.”
“You are working for something higher!” repeated Tom, in surprise. “Why, I thought you were the highest officer in the academy.”
“O, no!” replied the adjutant, with a laugh. “A captain ranks me. Look here!” he added, taking his coat down from a nail over his head, “I have only one bar in my shoulder-strap, you see, while a captain has two. I am only a first lieutenant.”
Upon hearing this, Tom thought that he had no desire to become better acquainted with the adjutant. If he was nothing but a first lieutenant, he might keep his position, and welcome. He did not want it; he must have something higher. His next step must be to scrape an acquaintance with some captain, and try his designs upon him. As he arose to his feet, intending to act upon his resolve without delay, an idea struck him; and, turning to the adjutant, who was somewhat surprised at his strange behavior, he asked if the rank of captain was the highest in the academy.
“O, no, not by a long way!” was the answer. “First comes the colonel—that’s the principal, you know. If he wore a uniform, he would have eagles in his shoulder-straps. But, as he never wears any thing but citizen’s clothes, he allows the lieutenant-colonel to sport the eagles. The lieutenant-colonel is the best scholar in school, and the highest in rank. I tell you, it takes merit-marks, and the hardest kind of study, to get that position. Every body is working for it, but George Smith holds the honors and the eagles in spite of us. Next comes the major. He’s the second best scholar, and wears a silver leaf. Here comes the colonel now!” he continued, as a tall, pale-looking youth advanced toward them. “He’s a fine fellow, and I know you’ll like him.”
When the colonel came up, the new student was introduced to him; and, when Tom saw the silver eagles he wore on his shoulders, he made up his mind that he had got hold of the right man at last. The young colonel appeared to be a very jovial fellow, and talked and laughed at such a rate that Tom soon began to feel perfectly at home in his company.
The hours from four until six in the afternoon were devoted to recreation, and all the students were then off duty. No respect was shown to rank during “play-time,” but the boys all met on a footing of perfect equality. To the officers, especially, this was a season of relief; for, being free from military restraint, they were at liberty to throw off their assumed dignity, and mingle freely with their companions. Tom, however, had not been at the academy long enough to understand this, and he was astonished that one so high in authority as was the colonel, should condescend to laugh and joke with his inferiors. He thought that when he should be entitled to wear the eagles, he would stand more on his dignity.
Tom could be a very pleasant companion if he chose, and, having now laid his plans against the colonel, he exerted himself to the utmost to work his way into his good graces. He resolved to carry out his ideas immediately, and commenced by requesting the officer to give him some instructions in his duties, hoping that he would accidentally let fall some word derogatory to the character of the academy or of the teachers. He watched him as closely as ever a cat watched a mouse, but all in vain. The colonel uttered no expression that could be used against him; but, on the contrary, he appeared to be perfectly contented, and satisfied with every thing in and about the academy. Finally, becoming weary of exercise in the gymnasium, the colonel put on his coat and strolled about the grounds with Tom, who, thinking that if any thing was said that would be of use to him, it would be necessary to have a witness to prove the fact, managed to keep the adjutant with him. The two officers, who, of course, never imagined what was passing in Tom’s mind, good naturedly answered his questions, gave him all necessary instructions, and not a little good advice. While thus engaged, the ringing of a bell called them in to supper.
“Now go to your dormitory and march down into the dining-room with your company!” said the colonel. “Don’t forget what we have told you. Study hard, obey all the rules and regulations, and go in strong for a commission. I would like to see you an officer.”
“So would I,” said Tom to himself, as he ran up the stairs toward his dormitory. “But I’ll bet I don’t study very hard for it. I know an easier way to get it; and, if you don’t look out, Colonel Smith, I’ll have those silver eagles on my shoulders in less than a month.”