“Heap step,” he shouted abruptly, and again the Germans responded as though the Indian vernacular was their method of daily intercourse.
They stepped—and at such a lively rate that in another ten minutes the startled challenge of a sentry informed them that they were within the American lines.
“Got ’em heap fool prisoners,” was John Big Bear’s response to the sentry’s demand; but the man was a member of the same company with the Indian, knew his voice, his value and his idiosyncrasies. He peered just long enough to make certain that it was John Big Bear, with a batch of Boche prisoners, and then summoned the corporal of the guard.
The colonel in charge of that particular section of the front was passing at the time, heard the call and stepped over. In a very few seconds he had gathered what had taken place.
He started to commend John Big Bear.
“Ugh!” the Indian interrupted, at the same time walking away, as though the colonel was nothing more than another private in the ranks, “Not hard ketch ’em. German big wind, no fight. Heap fool.”
And thus John Big Bear dismissed the incident and strode to the quiet of a well-earned rest.
CHAPTER XV
The Struggle Under the Water
AS John Big Bear stalked away without even so much as saluting the commander of the regiment, the colonel stood gazing after him reflectively, the suspicion of a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. There were several things the colonel might have done, for John Big Bear’s action distinctly came within the official definition of unbecoming conduct, even insubordination.